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Q&A with Preseason All-State Participant: Cole McKissock

February 12, 2015



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 the next two weeks we will showcase several of the participants at this year's event.  Continuing our look is Cole McKissock, No. 18 ranked, 2016, 6-foot-1, 180 pound, Shortstop from Air academy High School

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

McKissock:  I have been told I have good arm action and soft hands.  I have played every position on the field including pitcher and catcher, so I am a versatile player and consider myself an all around athlete.  I primarily play SS and 3B.  I stay calm and think I handle stressful situations well. If the game is on the line, I want the ball coming to me.  I am hard working and put in a lot of hours outside of practice in the weight room and off the tee in my garage.  I am a consistent line drive hitter with some power. I have passion for the game and I would describe myself as a quiet leader.   

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? 

McKissock:  I have not committed yet.  I want to take the early part of the summer to visit more college campuses.  I want to make sure the school I choose is the right fit for me, both the baseball program and the school itself.  We are a military family and have lived all over so I am open to different parts of the country.  Ideally, I would like a school with strong academic and athletic tradition.  At the end of the day, my dream is to play for the strongest baseball program that I can contribute to in a significant way.  

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

McKissock:  I am committed to being the best player I can be and am willing to sacrifice for baseball.  I am coachable and willing to work on any skill to get better.  This fall I balanced over 2 hours of driving 3-5 times a week between Denver and Colorado Springs to play for Coach Mark Holzemer's "Slammers Black" while maintaining a 3.7 GPA.  This was a good experience, because I know I will handle being a student athlete in college.

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

McKissock:  Freshman year I was still playing football and only did hitting lessons in the off-season.  This past year I have taken my commitment to baseball to the next level.  After my fall season, I have worked hard on lifting and conditioning as well as hitting lessons.  I am focusing on improving my strength and speed.  My high school coach at Air Academy, Doug Goldberg, has us conditioning, lifting, as well as fielding and hitting 5 days a week this preseason. I am definitely in the best shape I have ever been going into the season.

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

McKissock:  My pop always told me, "baseball is a game of failure and if you hit 3 out of 10 times you are a Hall of Famer, so no need to dwell on failures just be fearless."  

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

McKissock:  I am not very superstitious, but I do like to warm up with the same teammate before every game as well as say the Lord's Prayer.

PBR:  What are your goals for:

This Season:  I am excited for this season at Air Academy High School.  We have a talented team and my goal is to win a state championship. My personal goals are to be a consistent hitter and an all around playmaker for our team.  I hope to be a positive leader at AAHS.  I don't want to focus on individual awards, I think it's better to focus on team goals and work hard and the individual awards will come. 

Two Years:  Two years from now I will be preparing for my freshman year of college baseball.  I hope to be contributing to a college program wherever they need me. 

Four Years:  My goal is a conference championship and competing in Omaha.  I hope to be playing for a program where I can contribute at the highest level.

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