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Inside the Recruitment: '17 SS Chris Lanzilli commits to Wake Forest

January 13, 2016

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By Dennis Healy and Trevor Brown
Co-Director of Scouting

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New England Inside the Recruitment:  Chris Lanzilli

Chris Lanzilli, SS, Dexter (MA), 2017

PBR: Why did you choose Wake Forest?
Lanzilli: Wake Forest is the complete package, from outstanding academics to competing at a high level in the ACC. Also, the coaching staff, led by head coach Tom Walter, was a huge selling point in my decision.

PBR: What other schools were you considering?
Lanzilli: Mississippi, West Virginia, Vanderbilt, Maryland, UConn, Tulane, Penn St., St. Johns, Boston College, Northeastern, UMass-Lowell, Virginia Tech, Elon.

PBR:  Where did the coaches first see you compete and how did your relationship develop with the rest of the coaching staff?
Lanzilli: They first saw me in Georgia in July 2014 and in Ft. Myers in October 2014 Perfect Game.  Coach Walter and the rest of the coaching staff made me feel right at home on my visit to WF and they check in with me often.  

PBR: What role does the coaching staff expect you to play during your first year on campus?
Lanzilli: I’m expecting to come in my freshman year and compete right away for a spot in the lineup, that’s all I can ask for from a program.

PBR: Who has had the biggest impact on you as a baseball player?
Lanzilli: My older brother, Cam, who now plays D1 baseball at UMass-Lowell. I am lucky to have played Little League, Summer Travel Ball and high school baseball with him. He pushes me hard but is always supportive. His mind in all aspects of the game is what separates him as a player and has helped mold my game into what it is.

PBR: Who do you play for in the summer and what was your most exciting experience playing summer ball?
Lanzilli: I play for Northeast Baseball, an organization headed by Scott Patterson who I owe much of my success thus far to. Adam Wnukowski and sons have been my summer ball coaches for several years and have helped me develop into the best ball player that I can be. There have been many exciting experiences … This summer I played in Tennessee, Georgia, and Arizona against high level competition, which is the most enjoyable part of playing baseball.

PBR: Who is the toughest pitcher you have faced this past year?
Lanzilli: I faced Evan Odum, a North Carolina commit, last summer in Arizona against the Evoshield Canes.

PBR: How did PBR help you with the recruitment process?
Lanzilli: PBR allowed me to learn a lot about how college coaches want to see players present themselves at showcases and tournaments. Also they promote players and provide a lot of exposure to college coaches so they can reach the next level.

 

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