Cory Wilder, RHP, Lima Shawnee HS, Class of 2013

PBR: Why did you choose North Carolina State? 

Wilder: My mom and I went on a visit there and I just fell in love with the school. I was really impressed with the coaches and the facilities. The campus was also awesome and the southern location didn't hurt. It is a good program that I look forward to being a part of.

PBR: What other schools were you considering? 

Wilder: I was also considering Purdue, Kent State, Georgia Tech, Arkansas, Wake Forest, Cincinnati, and Ohio State.

PBR: Where did the North Carolina State coaches first see you? How did your relationship develop with them? 

Wilder: The coaches first saw me at the perfect game tournament in Georgia. After our last game I met with the coaches that were in Georgia for a while and then the next day we drove back through NC and met Coach Avent and saw the campus. Our relationship will continue to develop but, like I said, I was very impressed with the coaches.

PBR: This time last summer, you were relatively unknown as a prospect. How would you describe the past 9 months?

Wilder: Well, the past 9 months have been crazy. It has been an exciting, stressful, fun time that was a great experience. I never thought I would be playing college baseball at such a high level, but the recruiting process is a fun time.

PBR: This summer, you played for the Ohio Elite Baseball program. It was your first year of travel baseball. How did this experience help you as a player (both developing and going through the recruiting process)?

Wilder: Playing for Ohio Elite has been like nothing I have ever done before. I played with a great group of guys against competition I have never faced before. As far as the recruiting process, playing with Elite I got more exposure than I could have imagined. I was seen by schools that wouldn't have seen me had I not played for Ohio Elite. It was the most fun summer of baseball I have had yet.

PBR: In July, you pitched at the Perfect Game WWBA tournament in Georgia with the Ohio Elite. Please describe this experience.

Wilder: I had my college choices narrowed down to a few schools in the Midwest. Then Georgia dropped an atom bomb on everything. There were quite a few schools there watching me and it opened up numerous avenues including the school that I have chosen in North Carolina State. Georgia was a great experience to pitch against some of the best competition and it was a blast hanging with the teammates.

PBR: At this point in your development as a pitcher, what areas do you think still need the most improvement?

Wilder: I'd say at this point that I just need to work on the consistency of my delivery every time to increase my accuracy with all pitches. The summer experience helped a lot with that and I'll continue to work on it.

PBR: You recently attended PBR’s Top Prospect Showcase.  How did that help you in the recruiting process?

Wilder: It got a lot of coaches and scouts there to see me at the same time and kind of got my name out there.

PBR: What role do the coaches expect you to play your first year on campus? 

Wilder: They expect me to come in and pitch as a freshman.

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? 

Wilder: I'd heard from other players that it could get very stressful so I expected a very stressful summer. However, it really wasn't that bad and was a very fun experience.

PBR: Who has had the biggest impact on you as a baseball player? 

Wilder: Definitely my dad who was always there to throw in the backyard and to build me up after a bad day.

PBR: What advice would you give to rising juniors that are just about to enter the recruiting process?

Wilder: I would tell them to enjoy it and don't let it stress you out. I'd also say to find out all your options and choose the best one for you. Don't base your decision on what others think.

PBR: Who is the toughest hitter that you have faced in Ohio? 

Wilder: Anthony Kidston