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Inside the Recruitment: '18 LHP Cole Daniels commits to Kentucky

Cole Daniels, LHP, Saline High School, 2018

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? Was it as expected? Easy/Difficult?
Cole: I expected the recruiting process to go pretty quick as I had a list of schools that I was interested in before it even started. The hardest part of the process was trying to find time to visit schools and meet coaches, but as soon as I met the staff at Kentucky and toured the campus, I knew that Kentucky was where I wanted to be.

PBR: What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?
Cole: I was looking for a program that played at the highest level and also had a group of coaches that knows what it takes to get players to the next level and I believe that I found both at Kentucky.

PBR: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?
Cole: Location of the school did not really play into my decision. I was willing to go anywhere to find a program that I felt fit. It is nice to know though that UK is only about 5 ½ hours from home so my family can still come and see me play.

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?
Cole: The recruiting process was moving along at a decent pace but it really heated up after attending the PBR Future Games.

PBR: Where did the college you chose first see you? How did your relationship develop with them?
Cole: I attended 2 camps at Kentucky while coach Henderson was still there and the new staff first saw me pitch in Georgia at the Perfect Game 16u WWBA. We started talking at that point until coach Mingione could come out and see me in person. Coach Mingione then came out to the Future Games and then I visited the following weekend.

PBR: What do you like most about the college you committed to and what were the key factors in making your decision?
Cole: Kentucky provides that opportunity to play with great players and coaches against the highest level possible. Playing in the SEC was always a goal of mine.

PBR: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?
Cole: Some of the other schools were in my final list were West Virginia, Michigan State, Missouri, Cincinnati, East Carolina, and Central Michigan.

PBR: Who is the best player you have faced in your state, and why?
Cole: There are a lot of great players in Michigan, most of which I have not had a chance to play against, but the best person I have play with and against is my good friend John Malcom. When you are playing against him, you know that if you make 1 mistake he is going to make you pay for it.

PBR: At what point in your career did you realize you were a college caliber player and became serious about taking your game to the next level?
Cole: I first knew there was a chance to go to the next level when I attended my first PBR event at the University of Michigan the summer after my 8th grade year. After the event, one of the Michigan coaches told me that he wanted to get me on campus to attend a football game and tour the facilities.

PBR: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?
Cole: The advice I would give to younger players is something I am still working on myself… Do not let the ups and downs of baseball get to you! You will have times where you can’t throw a strike or get a hit but just keep working and you will get through it. 

PBR: What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point?
Cole: The most memorable moment in my baseball career to this point was playing in the State Championship game at Michigan State University in 2016. To look up into the stands and see the whole community and several Alumni at the game was amazing.

PBR: Preview your high school season for us. How do you feel your team will be? What are your expectations and goals?
Cole: Playing at Saline High School, the expectation is always to make it to the State Championship and I see no reason why we can’t make it back there next year. We lost in the State finals by one run last year and have a lot of that team returning to the field in 2017. We have a great senior class and I know the coaches will prepare us throughout the season to make another great run in the playoffs.

PBR: Where do you play in the summer? And what has been your most memorable experience with them?
Cole: In the Summer I play for Little Caesars. My most memorable experiences with them are the times off the field. Baseball will end one day but hopefully the friendships that I have made never will.

PBR: You were a member of the 2016 Future Games team from Michigan. Talk about that experience and how did that help with recruiting?
Cole: The Future Games is the best event that I have played in by far. Being able to play on a team with guys that you grew up playing against and representing the State of Michigan together was a great feeling. Put that with the fact that there were over 175 coaches from all over the country watching you play and evaluating you  throughout the weekend as you play against the best competition possible, it is a can’t miss event. The Future Games helped my recruiting a lot. College coaches are so busy that even though some told me they wanted to see me pitch over the summer, they were not able to make it to any of my tournaments, but when I told them that I would be at the Future Games, they all told me that they would see me there.