NORTHVILLE - College interest in Trae Cassidy was there, but once the Detroit Catholic Central junior participated in the Future Games at the end of last summer things changed.

“The Future Games opened up my recruitment a lot,” admitted the fifth-rated 2023 catcher in Michigan. “I was talking to some schools before that, but the Future Games is where I started to present my talents and receive offers. I had a lot of conversations with coaches after that. Competing against the best talent in the country helped me focus on my grind so I could work to be better than all of them.”

A large number of colleges had Cassidy on the radar, with visits taken to Ball State, Kansas State, Xavier and Penn while interest was also there from Michigan, West Virginia and Dartmouth. But it was a visit to Ohio University in late December that proved to be a difference-maker.

“They had seen me before at a few tournaments, but they started talking to me the day after the Future Games,” Cassidy said of the Mid-American Conference school. “They really liked me there. Aaron (Wilson, PBR Michigan Director of Scouting) did a nice job of putting my name out there to them.”

An offer was given and Cassidy pondered what to do.

“The coaching staff was the biggest part of my decision,” Cassidy related. “They have a new hitting coach, Kirby McGuire, that I like a lot and have a new head coach, Craig Moore, who was interim last year.

“Throughout the process I was looking for a coaching fit for me,” Cassidy continued. “I love building relationships with people. At the end of the day, I felt my relationship was strongest with Ohio.”
An opportunity to get on the field early was another determining factor.

“They think I can compete all four years,” Cassidy said of the Ohio coaches. “They see that in me and I definitely want that.”

An improved game helped bring interest in the 5-11 190-pound left-handed hitting catcher.

“I’ve been focused on getting bigger and stronger,” the 35th-ranked junior in the state pointed out. “My mechanics are there, I’m just working on minor things with my swing and catching.”

Hitting coach Greg Haeger, catching coach Harrison Wenson and summer coach Devan Ahart have been instrumental in helping out the cause for Cassidy, who also pointed to his father, Kirk, who coached him in summer baseball up until last year, with benefiting his development.

“My dad played minor league baseball and has a good understanding of the game,” Cassidy noted. “He worked with me as a little kid throwing BP and giving me hitting tips. He’s always challenged me. He’s been hard on me but it’s out of love. Now that I’m older I see what he’s done for me and it’s really special.”

Business/sport management are considerations for a college major according to Cassidy, a 3.88 student whose interest in playing at the next level began early.

“Ever since I was a little kid I’ve been a big fan of college baseball,” Cassidy said. “I love watching it and have always wanted to be a part of it. Then last year, heading into the spring season, I began seeing the progression in my talent. I started receiving as pros do, my catching coach really helped me there. Then I started seeing pop in my bat that was missing.”

Colleges recognized the potential coming out, and the 17-year-old is now an Ohio commit.

“I don’t want to say it was hard before, but it definitely took a weight off my shoulders,” admitted Cassidy, who had a solid day competing at the Michigan Procase on Sunday with 1.94 pop time, 78 catching velo, 90 exit velo with wood bat and 89 infield velo. “Now I can focus on my grind and not on the recruiting process.”

There is a lot to look forward to as well with going to school in Athens, four-and-a-half hours from his home in Northville.

“I can’t wait for the brotherhood and friendships I’m going to build while going against the best talent in the world,” Cassidy concluded. “I look forward to learning from the coaches there and becoming a better player.”