Riley Wolbeck might just be the human definition of the classic line, “What are they putting in the water?”
The 15-year-old Leduc native stands out in more ways than one, with a height of 6-foot-4 and weight of 220 pounds.
The sheer dimensions translate well on the baseball field, where he’s been touted for his booming bat and strong pitching performances.
Wolbeck is fresh off winning Baseball Alberta’s 15U ‘AAA’ Player of the Year award after an outstanding season with the Black Gold 47s, where he had hit .563 with 26 home runs and 90 runs batted in before provincials.
He also a beast on the mound, earning a 1.23 earned run average while striking out over 100 batters during the year.
It earned the young man, who won’t be graduating high school until 2028, an invite to join Dawgs Academy in Okotoks, where he’s fine-tuning his game in preparation for the inaugural “Road to Okotoks” national academy championship this summer.
We caught up with Wolbeck on Alberta Dugout Stories: The Podcast recently, which helped us create this latest installment of 1 Thru 9.
1. It’s been a while but you were named the Baseball Alberta 15U ‘AAA’ Player of the Year in November. Looking back on it, how cool does it still sound?
I mean, to be named the best player in the league is pretty surreal to me. It was a goal of mine since the start of the year, so actually being named is still a bit surprising.
2. What went through your mind when you first heard you were winning it?
I just look back at all my coaches and teammates that helped me throughout the year and what got me to that spot to and into that position to win the award. I dedicate it to them the most.
3. When you look back on it and some of the crazy numbers you were putting up, what was working for you that made it such a successful season?
I think just not getting ahead of myself and just soaking it in. Being ready for every pitch and not taking a pitch off, I think is what really helped me and also not chasing a bunch of pitches, being selective, and looking for what I want to hit.
4. When you look back on it, do you have any favourite memories or moments from the 2025 season?
Probably during the Best of the West tournament when I was playing with the Prep Baseball National Team. I hit a bomb in front of a bunch of people against a good team. It really opened my eyes to, like, wow, I actually have this power and I can use it on a regular basis.
5. You had a couple of big events where you were on display, between Best of the West and then joining Dawgs Academy for the Ray Carter Cup. When you look back on it, what were those experiences like for you?
Those two experiences were probably some of the most fun times I’ve had playing baseball. Just playing with some of the best kids across the country and in my province, then playing against some of the best players for my age group, especially at Nationals, was a big eye-opener. Having success at those really showed me how good I am at the sport and how far I can go with this.
6. What have you been working on during the offseason to make sure you’re even better heading into 2026?
Just looking to get stronger overall and getting faster, too. I wouldn’t say that’s a strong suit in my game, so I’m always trying to find ways to fine-tune that and get faster.
7. Do you have any goals or expectations of yourself going into the new season?
Especially going into my first year of 18U, it’s going to be an eye-opener to see what it’s going to be like for the next three years. I think just having fun and not going down in a spiral if I start failing. I think just staying even-keeled and cool-minded is going to be a big goal for me.
8. Being from Leduc, how did you get into baseball in the first place?
My parents, especially my dad, played ball growing up and it was always on my mom’s side as well, even though she never played. It’s always been in the family. So at a young age, I was playing it and just fell in love with it and kept going with it.
9. For those young kids just starting out on their baseball journeys, what’s that one piece of advice or words of wisdom you’d like to impart upon them?
I think just have fun. I mean, it’s baseball. You’re supposed to be having fun with your buddies and stuff. I think, even if you’re failing, just trying to push through and having fun … it’s just the whole point of the game.
