Cox talks about summer, gaining weight and Tolbert

EASLEY — The mental part of the game. It’s what separates a lot of good athletes from being great.

Easley’s Walker Cox, a talented 6-foot-7 pitcher, could be throwing 100-plus pitches an outing in the summertime and wearing down his arm.

But he is playing for a highly-talented traveling team called the Dirt Bags. He’s working smart and is gearing up for his senior year at Easley High School and potentially a great career.

“I took some time off,” Cox said, at a recent Post 52 game. “I’m where I need to be facing the best guys in the country. I’ve been to Florida and Georgia and all of these tournaments. I haven’t hit much, obviously, trying to get seen by a bunch of people.”

Cox stands in at around 200 pounds and is trying to gain more muscle weight.

“I’ve been lifting a lot and trying to put on a lot of mass,” Cox said. “Right now, I’m trying to get a body to be at the level I want to be. I’m still pretty skinny and I need to put on a lot of weight.”

Cox said he hopes to be at that 215 or 220-pound range by the beginning of the EHS season.

He added, “I’m trying to eat as much as possible. Mom makes some great food — when she makes spaghetti she doesn’t hold back.”

Walker’s thoughts on Tolbert

You often hear how a point guard in basketball or a star quarterback in football has that “it factor” on the team – they play the game a certain way and lead the charge. That’s how Post 52 catcher Aaron Tolbert is and Cox was quick to elaborate on that.

“He (Tolbert) is just always competing,” Cox said. “He’s a stud and a gamer. He’s a great catcher, but the thing is his mentality – the way that he plays the game of baseball. It is kind of contagious. He shows up to the ball field every single day. He doesn’t take anything for granted. He’s all in and goes to compete for everything he can get.”

A tough decision on hoops

You can bet that Easley first-year boys basketball coach Austin Anderson would welcome the 6-7 rising senior to his varsity basketball team. Cox played hoops through junior high. He has a great attitude and would be a plus to any team. The current Green Wave varsity basketball team has hardly any experience returning in the low post after the departure of the high-flying RJ Stack.

However, Cox has decided to stay focused on his future in baseball.

“I can definitely throw down some dunks for sure,” joked Cox. “I’ve talked to a few people and I don’t want to get hurt. I want to be focused on Easley baseball and this is my last year (at EHS).”