Grant’s Kusiak making fast adjustment to pro ball with the Dogs
The reality of professional baseball comes at you fast, most distinctly in the form of a 95-mph fastball.
The only weapon to defend yourself is a wood bat, an object you’ve rarely swung in the past. The trick, as simple as it sounds, is preparation.
For Chicago Dogs shortstop Henry Kusiak, success at the plate requires getting ready earlier.
“Everybody’s probably heard it, but just trying to load as soon as possible,” Kusiak said. “Even if it’s before (the pitcher) lifts his leg up, just trying to load and start something. Start your hips, start something as soon as you can to get into that swing.”
Kusiak, a Round Lake native and Grant High School grad, improved his hitting numbers across the board in his second season of pro ball, batting .307 with 10 home runs and 37 RBI across 65 games. Aside from the timing of his swing, Kusiak owes his production to newfound confidence from his team.
Fresh off an impressive career at Division II Missouri Southern State, Kusiak joined the Windy City Thunderbolts last summer. He described his first year in pro ball as “mentally draining,” especially with his collegiate performance feeling like a distant memory. A career .348 hitter in college, Kusiak still managed a .277 average, but struck out 80 times over 77 games.
“This was the first time I’ve had to deal with a lot of failure in my baseball career,” Kusiak said. “When I’ve only strictly focused on baseball, I’ve usually been pretty good. So it’s hard to go out there and be like, ‘These dudes are good. I’m getting beat fairly often.’”
Kusiak wanted to play in the American Association in 2025, and after reaching out to multiple teams in the league, forged a connection with the Dogs through their hitting coach. The infielder saw his name in the starting lineup on Opening Day, and although it wasn’t at the top of the order, the sight indicated his belonging. After a few games, first-year manager Matt Passerelle moved Kusiak to the No. 2 spot, his usual spot this season.
“When your manager’s got confidence in you like that, it's easy to believe in yourself,” Kusiak said.
A two-time Gold Glove award-winner from the American Baseball Coaches Association back in college, Kusiak prides himself on his defense, particularly in making plays up the middle. He credits this ability to his aggressiveness and high-energy nature, traits he’s still trying to perfect at the plate.
Kusiak’s strikeout numbers took a dip this season, but not enough to his liking. The shortstop aims to be more “selectively aggressive” with the bat, choosing the right times to hit for power. With experienced players such as outfielder T.J. Hopkins and infielders Dusty Stroup and Brantley Bell, Kusiak learned to navigate the ups and downs of a season in Independent Ball.
Kusiak and his teammates want to win, but also perform well enough individually to get signed by an affiliated or higher-level team. Four of the Dogs’ five starting pitchers left for other squads this year. But for Kusiak, the two goals don’t have to contradict.
“At the end of the day, everyone plays their best when you’re competing,” Kusiak said. “Not overthinking yourself, not getting caught up in that, but staying in the game and trying to win. I think we do a good job of that when we get out there, looking for each other’s success.”