Asking Grayslake North’s Ethan Feldman to do more this season hasn’t been a burden for him.
It was an invitation to showcase what he can do.
“Last year, I put a lot of high expectations on myself, but this year I told myself to just have fun with it,” Feldman said. “This is my senior year, and I don’t want to have any regrets. I just want to help these guys win and produce.”
It’s not a coincidence the Knights are winning with Feldman producing in two new roles this season. He has become the No. 1 pitcher and leadoff hitter for Grayslake North (16-10, 9-6), which entered Thursday with 10 wins in its past 12 games and a good chance to finish in the top half of the Northern Lake County Conference.
“He hasn’t shied away from any challenge we’ve put in front of him and is such a key piece to the success we’ve had in the second half of the season,” Grayslake North coach Eric Lopez said.
Feldman, who became the ace after the Knights’ top three pitchers last season graduated, is 4-3 with a 5.04 ERA, has struck out 45 and has walked just 11 in 34 2/3 innings.
“We knew our pitching depth would be a challenge, and he’s arguably our best arm, so he was thrust into being the guy on the staff,” Lopez said.
That was a big step forward for Feldman, who was primarily a reliever in the past, and routinely facing the opponent’s top pitcher leaves less wiggle room for him.
“That was a little more to have to live up to,” Feldman said. “People expected me to pitch well, and it was a little rough finding my way early in the season.”
One of the keys to making it work has been the constant in-game communication between Feldman and pitching coach Ben Milewski. Even though Milewski calls the pitches, Feldman has autonomy to go off script, with one caveat.
“As long as I talk to him about what’s going through my head,” Feldman said. “He keeps track of what pitches we throw to each batter, and that helps me adapt during a game.”
Feldman tries to keep hitters off balance.
“He’s got a live fastball, and he usually uses it to get ahead in the count, but he’s not afraid to mix it up,” Lopez said. “There was a start against Antioch where he used about 60% off-speed pitches.”
Feldman knew he could be pitching more this season and decided to prepare differently. He prioritized pitching in his offseason training, and he makes sure his arm is ready for a full outing when his turn in the rotation comes around.
“I’m not the hardest thrower around, but how I prepare my arm has been a big change, and the day after, it’s about recovering so I’m ready to go the next time,” he said.
Feldman still plays in center field, too, except when he pitches, of course, and the day after. That’s where he can utilize the speed that was on display in 2022, when he broke the Knights’ record for most stolen bases in a season.
“He’s an absolute menace on the base paths,” Lopez said.
Feldman, who was the cleanup hitter last season, has to get on base first, but that hasn’t been a problem. Entering Thursday, he was hitting .383 with a .535 on-base percentage, nine doubles, a triple, four home runs and 19 RBIs.
Feldman can still help his teammates if he doesn’t reach base, though.
“Even if I don’t get a hit, I enjoy coming back to the dugout and telling my teammates what I saw to make sure they’re not surprised by anything,” he said. “I can let them know whether the fastball is flat or if there’s some velocity.”
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.
