Commitment Corner: 2019 OF Will Carlone (St. Joseph's HS)
October 27, 2017
One of our top articles in the past year 'Commitment Corner' is back with brand new players from all over the Empire State. We have taken the time to sit down and ask these committed prospects a few questions, helping readers have a chance to learn more about each prospects journey. Let's get started.
Commitment: VCU
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Commitment q and a
PBR: Tell us all about your recruitment process, when it started, and why you decided to commit to VCU?
Carlone: My recruitment process started the summer after 8th grade. I was playing for the travel program US Elite and they were playing in tournaments on college campuses that summer. Our team was getting a lot of coaches following our team and watching us as we grew and developed. In the Fall of that same year we played in a Perfect Game Tournament in Ft. Meyers FL with 250 other teams made up of sophomores and juniors and did very well. That is when college coaches started really paying attention to our team. Many of us we invited to multiple college campus tours later that fall. I first spoke to coaches at VCU that fall but their coaching staff made some changes soon after and I began speaking to the new recruiting coordinator the following summer. I had been on many college visits before visiting VCU so when I was able to schedule a visit with Coach Stiffler I was in a position to make a decision because I could compare VCU to many other campuses and I knew on that visit that VCU would be my choice. It is a great school academically, which is important, and they have a strong commitment to their athletic programs. Their facilities are great and they are committed to being competitive.
PBR: Looking at your skillset on the baseball field, what would you say your biggest strength at the next-level will be?
Carlone: I have been asked and learned to play many positions over the years. When I was younger I played third base, then I was asked to pitch, then I was asked to move first base and then my high school coach asked me to play outfield. Over the years I have played every position except catcher. I feel I could contribute to VCU in a lot of different ways, offensively at the plate and defensively I can play multiple positions based on where they need me to help.
PBR: What’s your No. 1 priority going into the Winter in terms of getting prepared for next spring?
Carlone: I will continue to work with my pitching coach, John Barberio, and my strength and conditioning coaches, Charlie Karstead at Full Circuit and Zack Griffey at TREO Sports. My goals are to improve my pitching and continue to get stronger and faster. I need to continue to work on my hitting, specifically opposite field hitting.
PBR: Who is your biggest influence when it comes to playing the game of baseball?
PBR: Prep Baseball Report’s No. 1 goal is to provide players with an unrivaled platform filled with next-level exposure through events and multi-media avenues. What’s your experience been with us?Carlone: My coaches and my Dad. I have been very fortunate to learn a lot from some very good coaches since I was 10 years old. I have learned not only how to improve my playing skills but more importantly the mental aspect of baseball. My High School coach, Paul Nasca, has been a big influence on my development as a player over the last two years. My dad has been with me at almost every tournament since I started playing baseball. He has given up his summer weekends traveling all over the country with my travel teams. I couldn’t have done any of this without him.
Carlone: I have played in many PBR events and each one has been very well organized and very well run. Additionally, each event is always attended by multiple college coaches. The PBR events have been a great experience for me. The PBR Futures event in Indianapolis was the best event I have been to.