ROCHELLE — Senior Brock Metzger was named the Rochelle Hub varsity baseball team’s Most Valuable Player for the 2024 season, where Metzger finished second in both innings pitched (30) and strikeouts (30) while ranking second in hits (22) and third in batting average (.265). Metzger, who smacked the team’s first and only home run during the 2024 campaign and led the Hubs with six doubles, will continue his academics and athletics at Kishwaukee College.

“I chose Kishwaukee College because I really enjoy baseball and the coach seems very invested in the team,” Metzger said. “The coach seems like a great guy to play for and I’m looking forward to having fun with my friends, some of which are already playing over there. I know I’m going to come in and grind for a spot because there are a lot of good players there.”

Metzger spent four years with the Rochelle Hub baseball team, with his junior and senior seasons, as well as the end of his sophomore season, coming at the varsity level. Metzger primarily pitched and played shortstop during the 2024 campaign, when the senior collected 10 RBIs and scored 14 runs while posting a .371 on-base percentage. Metzger recorded a .327 batting average with 32 hits, including nine doubles, during his junior baseball season in 2023.

“I love hitting and that’s one of my favorite things to do,” said Metzger, whose interest in baseball began when he first played tee ball nearly 15 years ago. “I’ll sometimes go to the REC Center and practice my hitting because it helps calm me down when I’m upset about something. I pitched a lot when I was younger and I liked to pitch because I pitched pretty well. As I got older, I found playing shortstop really enjoyable and I thought I excelled at fielding the ball.”

Metzger was a three-sport athlete throughout all four years of high school. Metzger played four years of football and was on the varsity team for three years, earning All-Conference First Team honors during his junior and senior seasons. Metzger, who was named the I-8/KRC Defensive Player of the Year in 2023, earned the Hackett Award as Rochelle’s Most Valuable Player.

“I’ve learned a lot about how to play baseball,” Metzger said. “I used to go up there looking to hit a home run every time, but I’ve learned how to make contact with two strikes and my whole philosophy as a fielder changed a lot. I learned how to charge the ball and release it quicker. All of my coaches at Rochelle pushed me every single day and they wanted the best for me. They always encouraged our team to do better and I’m going to use what I learned to keep working.”

Metzger also spent four years with the wrestling team and was a two-time IHSA state qualifier with over 100 career wins for the Hubs, who earned the Interstate 8 Conference title over each of the last two seasons. Metzger, who was an Academic All-Conference Honorable Mention during his senior baseball season, intends to study education in hopes of becoming a teacher.