SJ-R Male Athlete of the Year for 2023-2024: Cam Appenzeller

Bill Welt

Springfield State Journal – Register

Baseball is certainly an important part of Chatham Glenwood, and one of its top stars is not lost in Cam Appenzeller.

The junior left-handed pitcher left for South Carolina in October and did not disappoint this spring.

He was among the best pitchers not only in the Central State Eight Conference, but also in the state, posting a 0.65 ERA and going 5-0 in 43 1/3 innings. He struckout a total of 85, while allowing just 15 walks, 18 hits and six runs (four earned).

It wouldn’t be difficult to describe Appenzeller as a top prospect nationally next season.

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“When he got going, he was unhittable,” Glenwood coach Casey Erickson said. “I’ve had several coaches and umpires come up to me in the middle of a game or after a game and tell me this was the best pitcher they’ve seen all year. He is really special on the mound.”

Appenzeller spent the offseason training primarily with Brett Huber at the Maximum Pitching Lab in Edwardsville.

“He was an ex-professional baseball player and he really helped me and he knows what he’s talking about. He made me go to the gym, where I did all my stuff and made sure I could get better,” Appenzeller said.

“I think that’s what really made me a lot better this year and I found control on all my pitches. I used to be kind of wild in the zone, but this year I found it and started throwing strikes.

That physical strength can also be attributed to other sports, including golf and basketball. He excelled on all fronts and became The State Journal-Register’s Male Athlete of the Year.

He won the individual and team CS8 boys golf titles as the only player to shoot under par at Weibring Golf Course in Normal before leading the boys basketball team with 12 points and 6.5 rebounds per game.

It shows in the diamond, Erickson said.

“Cam is a special athlete,” Erickson said. “He is very talented, as you saw in basketball. He can shoot, he can dribble past guys, he can throw it to the rim. He plays great golf in the fall and in the spring he is clearly a five-tool guy.

“He’s got a great arm, he’s fast, he’s got a lot of power and he plays really well defensively, so obviously he’s just a very talented athlete.”

Appenzeller recalled once winning the Drysdale junior golf tournament as a child before focusing on baseball. He started using the clubs again after his family moved to a golf course.

Appenzeller said he knew this year’s golf team would be special.

“It made me play better knowing that I had people on my team trying to overtake me and that we were all competing for the (No.) 1 spot and everyone was close,” Appenzeller said.

In golf and baseball, Appenzeller has to keep his emotions in check, but not in basketball.

“Basketball has always been fun,” Appenzeller said. “I think playing it keeps me athletic and it just helps me run even better and stay in shape. I think I move pretty well for my size. If I can help the team with ball handling, getting rebounds or whatever it is, then I guess that’s just my job.”

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The 6-foot-4 Appenzeller wants to reach at least 195 pounds next baseball season. The power he’s already added has helped him reach 93 miles per hour on his fastball this spring.

He hopes to consistently put up those high numbers next season while also getting the team’s newcomers up to speed for another playoff run. Perhaps he’ll become a mentor, like his father, Kyle, who pitched at Lewis and Clark Community College and Francis Marion University, both of which happen to be in South Carolina.

“I’m pretty sure he’s the reason I’m left-handed,” Appenzeller said. “He gave me the ball in my left hand and I started throwing. I think he knew that left-handers are a little more sought after.”