Lentz’s defensive dominance as a catcher truly separates him as a player.
“In my four years of pitching, I think I shook him off twice,” Satyanarayana said. “He’s so good at what he does. He calls a hell of a game, he has quick hands, a great release and his arm strength is still solid.”
When Lentz arrived at Harvard, his arm strength was jaw-dropping. His cannon defined him as a player, throwing runners out from his knees if necessary.
But no longer is Lentz known only for the “pop” of his throw. Though he did not showcase his arm in 2003 as he once did, Lentz became a more complete player this year with a new outlook.
“He came into this season more focused. He put it all together,” Satyanarayana said. “In years past, you could tell his mind wasn’t on school at all. This year, you could detect a difference in him. He really worked hard.”
Now, Lentz hopes to one day take his game to the Majors. Though Brian Lentz’s collegiate career was filled with ups and downs, no matter how Lentz fares professionally, he’ll still have the fireworks of his grand finale.
—Staff writer Alex M. Sherman can be reached at sherman@fas.harvard.edu.