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Get to Know: 2017 RHP Justin Willis (Memorial West New York HS, NJ)

January 30, 2017



By TJ Hunt
Director of Scouting, New Jersey

As we continue to shape-the-state here in New Jersey, several different unique features will be available on our website. Player Spotlights, Progress Reports, Scouting Blogs, Rankings and Top-Performer Lists, and so much more. Without the players we have nothing, so let’s take this a bit more personal - Get To Know: Our new article feature that hones in on what our Garden State players are up to, what makes them tick, and some real-candid inside access...  

Name: Justin Willis
High School: Memorial (West New York)
Position: RHP
Grad Year: 2017
State Rank: 13
Commitment: Vanderbilt

PBR: Let's start with your baseball commitment to Vanderbilt. Tell us about the decision-making process? How excited are you to play in the SEC? 

Willis: The recruiting process was a difficult thing for me to understand but once I realized how it worked it became easier. I started talking to Vanderbilt at the beginning of my freshman year but then they stopped reaching out until my sophomore summer. They offered after Area Code Games and it was my dream school so I took it. Vanderbilt’s the perfect match as far as academics and a baseball programs go, it gives you a great degree as a safety after baseball. The baseball aspect is a huge bonus just because it’s a chance to play in a power conference. Knowing you have to play teams like Mississippi State and Florida three times a year is something I look forward to. 

PBR: Baseball has an unbelievable way of positively shaping young man on and off the field. Tell us one life-lesson you have picked up over the years playing the game, and how that life-lesson may impact you later in life? 

Willis: The biggest lesson I’ve ever learned from baseball is “control what YOU can control.” The only sad part about that it is it took until the 2015 summer to finally realize what that meant. I realized there’s just things you’re going to have to live with whether it be errors or life situations that can’t be explained. Don’t beat yourself over things you have no control over.

PBR:  If you were a baseball scout and just watched yourself play, what would that scouting report look like?

Willis: As a scout giving a report, I’d say I'm undersized but have a "gamer" attitude and rises to the occasion. Quick twitch, upbeat tempo, doesn’t let batters get set. To be the most successful at the next level, he needs to work on his changeup and can’t waste pitches. Keep his fastball down with a plus-plus breaking ball.

PBR: We are knee-deep into the off-season schedule. Tell us about your training, and spring preparation. 

Willis: My off-season workouts have been four days lifting and two days throwing. So Monday is upper body, Tuesday lower then long toss Wednesday then repeat and throw a bullpen on Saturday. I throw my bullpens with Greg Short at the BioPitch facility in Wall. He provides everything from post throwing routines to weighted balls.
 
PBR: If you could only pick one, who would be your biggest baseball influence and why?  

Willis: If I had to pick one person, I’d have to say my stepfather has been the biggest influence on my baseball career. If it wasn’t for him, I’d probably still be living in Massachusetts and would have played hockey instead. He taught me all the small things in baseball because he wasn’t as talented as most college players, but he played small ball and worked hard. He made it clear to me that heart played over talent every day of the week and that’s something I still think is true.

PBR: Name three goals for the upcoming 2017 season. 

Willis:
1. Win a County Championship
2. Make All-State team
3. Have a better season than my sophomore year 

PBR: Who is the best player you have played against in your high school career so far?   

Willis: The best player I’ve ever had the chance to play against has to be (2017 SS) Royce Lewis (JSerra HS, CA - UC Irvine commit), and I’ve told him this too. He can play every position and has one of the greatest personalities I’ve ever met in life. Every time I've faced him it’s been at least an 8 pitch at bat. 

PBR: Do you have any pregame superstitions?  

Willis: My pre-game superstitions consist of making throws from the same distance before every game and not putting on my jersey until I’m ready in the bullpen. Finally, I write my friend's name who passed on the back of the mound.

PBR: What would be your best walk out song? 

Willis: My walkout song would be the beginning of "Dreamin’" by Mike Stud. 


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