Shon Plack
Kansas Scouting Director

Grant Wilson (Blue Valley Southwest) is a 6-foot-3 175-pound right-handed pitcher in Kansas' 2018 class and has committed to Cowley County Community College. 

Wilson represented Team Select in last summer's PBR Future Games. He has a smooth delivery and a quick arm action, his fastball is in the mid 80's, and shows a sharp breaking curveball with 11-to-5 action, 69-72 mph. 

Here is a look inside the recruiting process for Grant Wilson.

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? Was it as expected? Easy/Difficult?
 
Wilson: I thought it could be a long and persistent process, but I didn’t find it to be too difficult. I knew I needed to be patient in order to make the right decision.  

PBR: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?

Wilson: Distance wasn’t really a factor as long as I made the right choice in the end. I am glad that Cowley is within 3 hours from home.

PBR: Where did Cowley County first see you? How did your relationship develop with them?

Wilson: Cowley First saw me my sophomore season via PBR Video. From there I began communicating with Coach Buckingham. I was able to spend some time with the Cowley Coaching staff while on a campus visit. I received a tour of the campus and their baseball facilities and was able to see the team workout.  The indoor baseball facilities at Cowley are very impressive and are as good if not better than most D-1 programs. I spent some quality time with the Cowley Coaching staff and knew this was where I needed to be after high school.  

PBR: Who is the best player you have faced in your state, and why?
 
Wilson: I would have to say Jonah Watt at Shawnee Mission East. He is an outstanding all around baseball player and a tough out at the plate. Jonah is a great catcher to call a game and has a bright future.   

PBR: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?
 
Wilson: As Rex Hudler once told me- take care of yourself, eat healthy, get good sleep and never stop working. No matter how good you are, you can always get better. Someone else is right behind you ready to take your spot from you.

PBR: What do you do in the offseason to keep yourself in baseball shape and prepare for the upcoming season?

Wilson: For the past two off-seasons I have worked out with Matt Hinkley at (KCSP) Kansas City Strength and conditioning Program and worked on my mechanics with Pitching Instructor Bob Zimmerman at Premier Baseball. I also work with Pitching Instructor Blair Johnson at Building Champions Baseball Academy and Andy Shipman at Diamond B Baseball. All have played a big role in my development.

PBR: What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point?

Wilson: My most memorable moment in my baseball career was playing with my teammates at Cooperstown Dreams Park when I was 12. We won the Global World Series that year and that, along with visiting the baseball Hall of Fame while at Cooperstown is something that I will never forget.

PBR: What do you like most about Cowley County and what were the key factors in making your decision?
 
Wilson: I liked Cowley for several reasons. The Cowley Baseball tradition speaks for itself. Coach Buck and Coach Burroughs’ develop their players. I felt very comfortable with the Cowley coaching staff and felt Cowley’s program was the best fit. Cowley has a reputation for developing good pitchers. The coaching staff explained their program and process and I knew this is where I needed to be.

PBR: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?
 
Wilson: There were a few local schools on the short list as well as a couple in Indiana but I knew without a doubt, Cowley was definitely the best program for me.  

PBR: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Was there a particular game or event that you feel turned the corner for you?
 
Wilson: I think the process really took off when I pitched in the PBR Futures Games in Indianapolis last summer and during the summer trips with Building Champions. This is when the communication began to pick up.

PBR: Preview your high school season for us. How do you feel your team will be? What are your expectations and goals?

Wilson: I feel our team at Blue Valley Southwest has the whole package this year. I feel we are going to be one of, if not the best team in the state this year at our level. My goal is to help my teammates win state this year, but I feel we can win the EKL conference and win state too. We have a very solid defense and pitching rotation this year. We have a strong group of juniors and seniors returning and I feel this is our year to compete for the title.

PBR: Where do you play in the summer? And what has been your most memorable experience with them?

Wilson: I play with Building Champions Baseball Academy which has a great relationship with Cowley County’s coaching staff. Cowley is like an extension of my summer academy. The Building Champions summer schedule allows us to play against the best talent around the US. We travel and play some great talent at some really nice facilities. Building Champions has helped me grow as a player and as a person and has provided great exposure as well.  As far as the most memorable experience, the past two fall seasons, I was selected to play with the Royals Scout team. This fall we were to play in a couple tournaments in Florida and in Surprise Arizona at the Royals Spring Training facility. Due to a minor arm injury I was not able to participate this past fall but the previous summer we did work out at Kaufman Stadium and that was a lot of fun. My goal is to be able to join my teammates again this year in the fall.

 

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