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Published Apr 24, 2019
Wilcox finding his comfort zone
Anthony Dasher  •  UGASports
Editor

Living up to your own hype isn’t always easy to do.

Just ask freshman pitcher Cole Wilcox, who is starting to adhere to the expectations that came with being a prospect many were predicting to be a first-round pick in last June’s Major League Draft.

“I think when I first got here was trying to live up to that, trying to meet everyone’s expectations, but that wasn’t really what I had to do,” Wilcox said. “I’m just here to compete, and I think that’s what has gone into some of my success now, just going out there, competing and not trying to do too much.

Before Wilcox ever stepped foot on campus at Georgia, tales of his electric fastball preceded him.

At 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds, the freshman right-hander from Chickamauga routinely tickles the radar gun at 98 mph, occasionally touching 100, as he did during the Bulldogs’ SEC-opening series at South Carolina.

Equally armed with an impressive resume of academic and athletic awards, Wilcox was projected to be a first-round pick before telling teams he fully intended to honor his commitment to Georgia, prior to spending the summer with the Team USA 18U squad that captured a gold medal at the World Cup.

As one might imagine, the hype surrounding the former Heritage High standout was rather intense when he arrived in Athens last August.

But as Wilcox would learn, college hitters are better prepared for his heat than what he was used to seeing in high school.

In Wilcox’s first 12.1 innings, he gave up a total of 12 earned runs for an ERA of 8.92.

However, times have changed for the better as Wilcox has entrenched himself as a key member of Georgia’s bullpen.

In his eight appearances since giving up four runs against Presbyterian, Wilcox has allowed only four earned runs over his last 18 innings. Although the walks during that span (13) are more than he’d like, his 23 strikeouts and ERA of 2.00 are a testament to the improvement that’s being made.

His two outings against Tennessee and Missouri have seen Wilcox throw a combined seven shutout innings, with zero runs and just four hits allowed to go along with three walks and nine strikeouts.

He’s throwing the ball really well. I thought the last outing he’s gotten more swings and misses than he’s had all year. That’s the encouraging thing, now you’re starting to see hitters not be as comfortable against him,” head coach Scott Stricklin said. “Before he was leaving balls up and getting behind in the count, which is pretty normal for a freshman. It doesn’t matter if you throw 98 mph, college hitters are going to hit it. He’s pitching a little bit more, he’s got a little more life on his pitches, the fastball is moving more, his breaking ball is moving more and Coach Kenny and he did some adjustments in the pen and what you’re seeing is a player with plus stuff having a lot more confidence.”

Wilcox agrees.

Although Wilcox projects as a starter, Wilcox has been able to use the time he’s currently spending as member of the Bulldogs’ bullpen to his advantage while gaining the confidence he hopes to carry with him throughout the rest of his career.

“It’s taken a little time but I’ve learned to enjoy it, just being able to come in, you don’t have much time to prepare but I’ve pretty much got a routine when I know I’m going to come in after C.J. (Saturday starter C.J. Smith). But it’s all about being prepared, not get too comfortable in the dugout, just stay locked in and mentally focused.”

There’s more.

Wilcox also credits the work put under baseball strength Ryan Gearheart for helping him take the next step by bouncing back quicker than what he was able to do before.

Combine that with the hours put in with pitching coach Sean Kenny, he’s turning into a more well-rounded pitcher, one who doesn’t have to just depend on his stuff to get opposing hitters out.

“Definitely my fastball command has been better and that’s been the key to my success lately. The slider has become a weapon for me, I can throw it for a strike when I need to get and be able to bury it when I need to put a hitter away,” he said. “I’m still working on my changeup. I don’t throw it much but it’s been effective when I’ve thrown it and I’m sure I’ll be throwing it more as the season goes along.”

Sophomore Emerson Hancock - his roommate on the road - has served as an excellent role model.

Like Wilcox, Hancock struggled at time his freshman year, posting an ERA of over 5.00 before developing into arguably the top pitcher in the SEC.

“He’s been a big help for sure. He’s living proof what happens if you stay the course. Everyone goes through their struggles, it could be your sophomore year but everyone coming in has to get over that hump but once you’re over it, it’s just baseball,” Wilcox said. “That’s kind of what he told me, just go out, compete and once you come over it, it’s all downhill from there.”

Stricklin sees the similarities.

“I think there are,” Stricklin said. “They’re obviously very talented but have similar makeup. Just the work ethic, the competitiveness, all those things that go along with the talent – that’s how superstars are made, not only guys who are really talented but also really competitive with a good work ethic and do things the right way.”

That includes just worrying about what’s most important of all.

“Once the SEC started it’s just about trying to win games, you’re not out there trying to prove anything to yourself, everybody’s not out there by themselves, it’s a team game,” Wilcox said. “It’s just knowing that the team has my back and if I throw strike, we have one goal and that’s to win the game. That’s the biggest thing.”

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