Waterman Expecting 'Breakout Year' On The Diamond

DETROIT - Recruitment is in the early stages for Kole Waterman, but the Detroit Edison sophomore knows what he hopes to find in a school and baseball program.

“I like a college where players and coaches are fine-tuned together and talk to each other,” Waterman explained. “I’ve been to a lot of camps and showcases where coaches and kids are stiff and not friendly, just going through the motions. But others, like Memphis, the players are really close and having fun with sports.”

The third-rated 2025 left-handed pitcher in Michigan recently returned from a camp at Memphis and found it appealing as he began looking for a future home.

“I’m just kick-starting the process, but it’s kick-starting pretty fast,” Waterman noted. “I liked the way the coaches connected at the Memphis camp.”

With help from an older brother, Klark, who played college baseball at Division II Ohio Valley University in West Virginia, the 17-year-old has an understanding of what he wants to be part of when it comes to a program at the next level.

“I’m looking for the best culture and I want to fit in,” Waterman said.

There is also the matter of a desire to be a two-way player in college.

“That’s pretty important to me,” admitted the 22nd-ranked sophomore in the state, who hits from the left side of the plate in addition to throwing left-handed. “I was always small and lanky and threw hard, but pitching wise I couldn’t throw strikes or locate the ball. But I’ve come into myself. This summer I was able to throw hard and locate which is big.

“My fielding has always been good at first base and I’ve improved a lot at the plate,” Waterman added. “I’m better at pitch selection now and I’m able to see the ball better.”

The drive to improve is never ending for the 6-3 190-pounder.

“The main things I’m working on are getting faster and throwing harder on the mound,” Waterman related. “I also want to be more consistent in the box. I always want to get better and better.”

Adam Goodwin, PBR Michigan Director of Scouting, is excited to see the progress Waterman makes.

“Kole Waterman really got our attention when he attended the Fall Prospect Games at Davenport in October,” Goodwin said. “You're looking at a kid with a great frame and raw power from the left side. Kole will be an anchor in the middle of the lineup for a talented Detroit Edison club this spring that coaches will want to keep tabs on.”

Waterman is confident that being part of a strong program like Edison, under the direction of head coach Mark Brown, is beneficial when it comes to his future in the game.

“Playing with guys like Greg Pace, Caleb Sanders, Jordan Jones and Marwynn Matthews has really helped,” Waterman pointed out. “They're all a little older than me and with the pros coming to see Greg, I figured I needed to show I can compete with the best of them.

“Kids that look like me all want to get to the next level but we all know how hard it is to do,” Waterman continued. “Coach Brown helps with that. He always wants to play the best teams in the state. Coach says it prepares you.”

Additional help has come in getting noticed on the field.

“I’ve been to a lot of PBR showcases and tournaments and that’s been helpful,” Waterman said. “The recruiting process for me, in general, has not been too stressful. There’s not too much pressure for me and my family.”

Improvement along the way has proven beneficial.

“I got a lot stronger and started to grow more into my body in 2021,” Waterman reflected. “That was the first year I started playing real travel baseball and I started seeing all these commits and I began to put in the work.”

That is something that never ends for Waterman, who carries a 3.75 GPA at Edison.

“I’m working to get stronger, faster, throw harder and get more consistent,” Waterman said. “I’m excited for the season ahead. I think it will be my breakout year with more schools starting to talk to me.”

The desire to find a college home will follow suit.

“I’ve wanted to play at the highest level since I first started playing baseball at six or seven,” Waterman said. “I just love the game.”