20 October 2025
Team Australia U18 star pitcher Damien Wilson commits to New Mexico Junior College
Damien Wilson made the most of his opportunities in Australian baseball. It’s led him to a scholarship with New Mexico Junior College, a program with a proven track record of progressing Aussie baseball players.
Wilson, a left-handed pitcher out of Baulkham Hills Baseball Club (below) in New South Wales, has already accomplished a lot at his young age of 17.
He came up clutch on the hill for Team Australia at the Under 18 World Cup, won a U18 National Championship with New South Wales, represented his country at the WWBA Championships in Fort Myers, was one of eleven Australians at the 2025 MLB International Showcase and plays Division I in the hyper-competitive NSW State League vs ABL players as a high schooler.
Now, he is set to join three other Australians – Zach Altamura (INF), Riley Hall (RHP) and Tim Yeomans (C) – at New Mexico Junior College.
Brent Iredale, an Australian prospect with the Pittsburgh Pirates, also attended New Mexico Junior College before transferring to Division 1 powerhouse Arkansas.
Wilson says it’s a chance to take a big step forward with his development through college.
“The program’s structure, coaching, and competition level will push me every day to get stronger, more explosive, expand my pitching arsenal and be more consistent on the mound. I’m focused on building velocity, sharpening my command, and learning how to dominate at the college level so I’m ready for the next stage of my career,” says Wilson.
Wilson is coming off a dominating performance of his own at the Under 18 World Cup. In two starts, Wilson tossed 10.0 innings, allowing just two earned runs with no walks, and eight strikeouts.
He helped Australia beat Panama in a must-win game, and he left the game tied 1-1 vs powerhouse Cuba in the placement round.
“My confidence definitely grew after the World Cup,” says Wilson. “By competing against top international talent, it showed me I can perform at that level, and it pushed me to trust my stuff more and focus on consistency every time I step on the mound.”
Wilson says his biggest strength is his competitiveness and work ethic.
“No matter the situation, I always want the ball and I’m going to attack every hitter with confidence. I take pride in being consistent, having good command, and competing with intensity every time I’m on the mound,” says Wilson.
“I also thrive on being part of a team and working towards getting a win as a cohesive unit. I also put a lot of effort into the small details — recovery, training, and preparation — so I’m always ready to perform at my best,” he adds.
Wilson throws a four-seam fastball, two-seam, change-up and curveball.
Baseball Australia’s player development manager Andrew Riddell says he can see the potential Wilson has, commending his performance at the Under 18 World Cup and MLB trip in October.
“It was a full circle for him to cap off an amazing junior career that includes a U16 Golden Arm and a U18 National Championship,” says Riddell. “His progression as a competitor and the ability to get hitters out continues to excel and it will be fun watching him do the same thing the next few years in college.”
Wilson had numerous offers on the table.
Riddell says he was impressed with the amount of thought went into the decision.
“The whole Wilson family were awesome through the process of deciding which program was going to be the best fit for him as we discussed the positive and negatives of each. They all had a great understanding of what he was looking for to take the next steps in his own development and continue his growth on the mound,” says Riddell.
“Damien’s coaches at Baulkham Hills and at Baseball New South Wales deserve a lot of credit with the progression we saw each year at national championships. I know with his drive and work ethic that he will have success at the next level just like he has had in Australia,” adds Riddell.
For Wilson, he says all the overseas events helped push him to become the best player he can be.
“Each one pushed me to compete against some of the best players in the country and the world, helping me learn how to perform under pressure and handle big moments,” he says. “Those experiences taught me the level of preparation, focus, and consistency it takes to succeed at the next level.”
At home, Wilson came up through the New South Wales system via his club at Baulkham Hills.
He says he wouldn’t be here without the entire baseball community. But there’s one man who leads the way.
“David White have been the biggest influence on my baseball journey. He has supported me from day one — pushing through every training, game, and tournament, and to be the best version of myself on and off the diamond,” says Wilson.
“I’ve also been blessed to have great coaches at present and the along the way who’ve believed in me and helped shape the player I am today. Their guidance and belief kept me motivated to keep improving and chasing my goals. My family have been invaluable since the beginning, have been by my side the whole journey. They are my #1 supporters.”
Wilson will be studying Business and Communications.
He departs for the USA in August 2026.
