Current West Linn senior Ryan VandenBrink committed to extend his baseball career at Oregon State University before ever stepping foot on his high school’s campus as a student.
The standout catcher, commonly referred to by his longtime nickname “RV,” was operating with so much horsepower as a middle-schooler, one of the top collegiate baseball programs in the country couldn’t resist.
“It’s an awesome program,” VandenBrink said. “I actually committed there the summer before my freshman year, so I’ve known I’ll be going there for a long time, and just seeing guys go through the program, modeling my game after them, looking up to them as I grow up, and then obviously being able to be there next year — it’s a super special thing.”
Becoming a Beaver has been VandenBrink’s destiny for nearly four whole years at this point, so he’s become more than just a casual fan of the team that will eventually inherit him next season.
Simultaneously, the senior has had plenty of time to work on his game, ensuring that Oregon State’s early investment doesn’t go to waste.
“I’ve been working on a lot of things technically,” VandenBrink said. “Getting to that spot where I can be an effective receiver in college next year is a huge thing for me.”
But why invest in a middle-schooler in the first place? What makes VandenBrink so special?
Well, the senior is so versatile behind the plate that his nickname fits more than just his initials.
RV’s skill-set mirrors that of a high-end recreational vehicle, and on the road trip that has been West Linn baseball’s last few seasons, the senior has performed like a reliable 1980s Winnebago.
In a recent 4-1 win over Lake Oswego on April 26, VandenBrink launched a monster home run over the left-field fence to put the Lions ahead 3-0 in the bottom of the third.
As a catcher, one of the most important defensive positions in baseball, VandenBrink has been a lethal offensive threat, spraying fast balls beyond the outfield with the power of a 21st-century Coachmen.
“I've always been the guy who can go out and put one out of the park, and I take pride in that,” VandenBrink said. “But I don't see myself as a home run hitter — I see myself as a barrel collector. I go up there looking for barrels.”
Later in the win over the Lakers, RV connected on a two-out double that set up Danny Wideman’s RBI single, and the Lions ultimately held on for a series sweep.
Whether VandenBrink has been looking to send moon-shots out of the park, or simply looking for barrels, his methods have worked wonders for the West Linn offense this spring. The Lions are currently 17-4 overall and 10-1 in Three Rivers League play, ranked No. 1 in the 6A classification.
In other words, with VandenBrink playing a key role, West Linn is in perfect position to make a run at a third consecutive 6A championship, which would tie the state record with Drain (now North Douglas, done from 1949-1951) for most consecutive baseball titles at any level.
But it’s not all about the offense. Every great recreational vehicle comes equipped with a strong, aluminum exterior, after all.
Similarly, RV is nearly impenetrable behind the plate, blocking wild pitches like a sleek, stainless Airstream.
Still, the senior remains humble in relation to his wide-reaching skill set. According to VandenBrink, his true greatest strengths are unrelated to the technical aspects of baseball.
“I think it’s more the mental game than it is anything physical,” VandenBrink said. “Having a relationship with my pitcher is huge, and having a relationship with the umpires that are working our games is too.”
Of course, the best recreational vehicles are those that bring people together, providing a wholesome environment for relationships to grow.
VandenBrink, an inviting personality, can frequently be seen conversing with umpires, teammates and opponents alike during the Lions’ games.
Just like a cozy family vehicle, the senior fosters valuable connections.
“I like to say that I’m more of a teammate kind of guy,” VandenBrink said. “I like controlling the field and knowing that my team is in a good position to win and succeed.”
VandenBrink has, perhaps unknowingly, become an uncanny embodiment of his nickname since it was coined by current West Linn assistant Ryan Curdy back when the senior was just eight years old.
With the reliability of a Winnebago, the power of a Coachmen, the impenetrable outer shell of an Airstream and the intangible ability to bring people together, RV certainly fits his long-standing moniker.
“I’m kind of just known as RV now,” VandenBrink said. “Which is pretty cool. I love it.”
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