RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — The Major League Baseball draft begins on Sunday.
“This is what I worked for all my life,” said Jacob Cozart, of North Carolina State University.
Cozart should hear his name called quickly on day one of the draft after a stellar career with the Wolfpack.
Cozart hit .305 with 19 homers this past season leading N.C. State to the College World Series in Omaha.
Coming into his junior campaign Cozart was already thought of as one of the top catchers in the nation, and he easily lived up to that billing while excelling at the toughest position on the field.
“Yeah, I mean it’s a grind — it’s the hardest position to play,” said Cozart. “You’re the quarterback of the team where you’re the only guy who sees the whole field, you have to direct the team and the pitchers and also know what the other team is trying to do so you can combat that with the way you play and call the pitches and what they’re trying to do on the bases. So it’s honestly the most fun because it’s the most involved in the game out there.”
Cozart comes from a baseball family. His father was a long-time college baseball coach and his two brothers, Caleb and Sam play as well.
Jacob Cozart could have gone anywhere coming out of Wesleyan Christian High School in High Point but chose N.C. State, a school known for its top-notch catchers.
“You could just say N.C. State feeds out really good catchers with Patrick Bailey who came through Wesleyan and went to N.C. State and was a first-rounder as well so I’m kind of following in his steps right now … That’s why I went there, to follow the lines of catchers because they do a really good job of developing them,” Cozart said.
Cozart is a testament to that. Now that his college career has come to an end, he’s already training like a professional knowing there will be more baseball to play this summer.
“Lifting heavy, getting stronger, getting back into shape from the long season but it’s what I’ve done every single year, it’s a never-ending cycle that I live for,” said Cozart.
It’s hard work but for Cozart it will all be worth it when his name is called at the draft unleashing his childhood dreams.
“I’ll be a kid again,” said Cozart. “I’ve watched the draft every single year imagining when my name gets called and now that it’s here it’s getting surreal, so I’m excited for it.”