This is the fourth installment of the Arizona Baseball 2020 Follow Friday series, in which we will highlight each member of the incoming 2020 class of student-athletes looking to make their mark at Hi Corbett Field. Get to know our newest Wildcats with the below Q&A, and when you're done be sure to follow them on social media to stay connected.

Today's feature focuses on incoming freshman Riley Cooper, a left-handed pitcher from Clovis North High School in Fresno, California. 

Previous editions of Follow Friday: Jacob Berry  |  Kyle Casper  |  Chase Davis
 

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Q: What made you choose Arizona?
A: When I first got there it felt like home, I loved the feeling of everything. Also I really loved the coaches and how the program has a real winning tradition. 

Q: What are you looking forward to the most in your first year at Arizona?
A: Trying to contribute wherever I can and trying to earn a spot as a freshman. I know it's going to be hard, but it has always been a goal of mine to make an impact right away my freshman year. I just want to get on the mound and do what I do.

Q: What achievement from your baseball career so far are you most proud of?
A: I would say during high school, when I broke the single-season record for strikeouts with 95. Also my first game of senior year I broke the career strikeout record with 215. 

Q: What do you think is the strongest part of your game?
A: For me what makes me stand out is my competitiveness. Lots of pitchers are comparable to me, but my competitiveness and my need to win makes me stand out. When I'm on the mound I want to win and I'll do anything to get it. 

Q: Who influenced you to get into baseball?
A: For sure my dad. He was my first coach and all through my career he always challenged me. Also my older brother, who really pushed me to constantly get better because he's two years older and I would play up with him.

Q: If you weren't playing baseball, what sport would you most want to play?
A: I think it would probably be basketball. I played it my whole life up through my freshman year of high school and I have just always loved it. Even now, when I get the chance, I'll go find a pickup game to play in.

Q: If you could have one MLB player's pitch, what would it be?
A: Clayton Kershaw's 12-6 curve because it's just filthy. There's nothing like it, it's just straight up and down and that's really hard to hit. 

Q: If you could face one Major League Baseball player right now, who would it be and why?
A: I would have to go with Mike Trout because I think he's the best and I want to see if I could get a pitch by him.

Q: What are some of your non-baseball hobbies you enjoy spending free time on?
A: Anything outdoors with my dad and brother; we love to go fishing, camping, hiking, literally anything out in nature.

Q: What does your pregame/gameday routine look like?
A: It really starts the night before when my mom will fix me some spaghetti for carb loading. Then I'll watch "The Natural" the night before every one of my games, I know that movie like the back of my hand. Gameday is a normal day up until about three hours before the game when I'll set the exact same playlist and slowly build that up to the same song right before my warmups, which is "Domination" by Pantera. My routine has always worked for me, it gets me going.

Quick Hits:

Favorite baseball player: Clayton Kershaw
Favorite MLB team: Los Angeles Dodgers
Favorite baseball movie: The Natural
Favorite gameday snack: Chocolate covered peanuts
Favorite TV show: Trailer Park Boys
Favorite movie: Dazed and Confused