Prep Baseball Report

Q&A with Preseason All-State Participant: Austin Wood





By Jeff Markle
Assistant State Director

Prep Baseball Report Colorado is getting ready for the start of the high school spring baseball season with the Preseason All State event on February 22nd at Slammers South.  Over the course of this final week we will showcase several of the participants at this year's event.  Continuing our look is No. 9 Ranked 2016, Austin Wood, 6-foot-5, 200 pound, RHP from Silver Creek.

PBR:  Describe yourself as a baseball player to those who have never seen you play:

Wood:  I would describe myself as complete pitcher that commands four pitches. I throw a lot of strikes while I keep the ball low and go out and compete on the mound. I take control of my team and go out and play for my teammates and do whatever I can to help us win.    

PBR:  What would be your dream school to play baseball at?  If you have already committed to play at the next level, why did you choose that particular school?

Wood:  The dream school for me to play baseball at would be somewhere in the PAC-12 or ACC. I have always dreamed about pitching in one of those two dominant conferences and great weather regions in the country. 

PBR:  What are your best assets on and off the field at this point in your high school career?

Wood:  Some of my best assets on the field at this point in my high school career are that I have experience, and I have proven myself as an athlete. I have started as a pitcher since my sophomore year against tough competition and have had success. Also, I have started and was selected captain as the varsity quarterback this year after lettering the two before showing my ability to lead and compete no matter what I am doing. Some of my assets off the field are that I have maintained a 3.8 GPA while also participating in other extra curricular activities such as National Honor Society.    

PBR:  What does your off-season preparation look like this year compared to you freshman year?

Wood:  My off-season preparation looks extremely different compared to my freshman year. I did not know where I was at that point and simply took that time to recuperate from football and start thinking about baseball to come. This off season I found myself in the weight room daily with a trainer and getting my self in peek shape by trying to eat right and train for the spring season with several pitching coaches developing a 3rd and 4th pitch so I can compete at the highest level. 

PBR:  What is the best baseball advice you have received and try to follow to this point in your career?

Wood:  Some of the best baseball advice I have received and try to follow to this point is to simply have fun with it. I had gotten so mixed up over the years in being so mechanical that I think I began to play like a robot. Now I am trying to play with a little more swagger and show who I am and have seen my results increase dramatically. 

PBR:  What are your superstitions or routines that go on during a season?

Wood:  Some routines I go through during the season are a lot of stretching and listening to music to get my mind and body right for the games. Also right before I pitch I read from a book that helps me focus on something specific for that days outing.

PBR:  What are your goals for:

 This Season: This season my goals are to go out and compete in every game I throw in. I want to go out there and compete and put my team in position to win every game that I throw. Ultimately I want to win conference and help get my team to the state championship.

Two Years:  My goal for the next two years is to enjoy my next two years of high school while competing at the highest level in baseball and football and finding which college is best for me to take my skills to and hopefully getting a chance to get drafted by a major league team. 

Four Years:  My goal for this time is that I am continuing to grow as a player and help my team to a national championship as I further my education. 

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