Keilen Has 'Sense Of Comfort' At Central Michigan

Logan Keilen C / 1B / St. Johns, MI / 2024

ST. JOHNS - There are a lot of memories from his childhood days at Central Michigan. Logan Keilen is looking to make more in the years ahead at the Mid-American Conference university after making a commitment to the school just 40 minutes from home.

“I’ve always had ties to Central, with a lot of family going there,” explained Keilen, whose mother and sister along with a number of cousins all attended the college in Mount Pleasant. “We went to football games growing up so I’ve always had a soft spot for them. Once they reached out it was a no-brainer for me.”

Initial contact with a Central Michigan coach actually began in the summer while catching coach Doug Walters was an assistant at Northwood.

“When coach Sabol got the job at Central I went to a camp Aug. 26-27 and talked with coach Walters there,” the St. Johns High School senior said in reference to the new head coach Jake Sabol, a former mentor at Northwood. “I scheduled a visit and was blown away by the campus, facilities and staff. It felt right. I felt valued and felt I could trust the staff.”

Soon after, Keilen knew where his future home would be.

“I had a couple other offers and was talking with a bunch of others, but once I stepped on the campus and talked to the staff I knew Central was where I wanted to be and where I’d excel,” related the third-rated 2024 catcher in Michigan.

Central saw Keilen as a good fit to the program.

“They like that I can swing the bat,” Keilen noted. “They’re comfortable with my catching abilities and that I can play a little first base.”

The 6-1 215-pounder pointed to plenty of assistance in making his baseball dream of playing at the next level a reality.

“A lot of people have helped through the years, coaches and guys giving me advice,” Keilen said. “It’s been a big mixing pot of encouragement, tips and connections that really helped.”

Admittedly, the recruiting process was far from smooth.

“It kind of had its ups and downs,” explained Keilen, who turned 18 on Aug. 3. “There were a lot of high spots and a bunch of low spots, but with Central it happened fast. I did a camp and took a visit. It went fast but in the end it was great.”

The 45th-ranked senior in the state is confident about making big contributions at Central Michigan.

“I think I can bring them a lot,” Keilen said. “They like the philosophy of doing damage early in the count and getting extra-base hits and that’s my approach. Get extra-base hits and get runs on the board.”

Keilen, who carries a 3.6 GPA at St. Johns and plans to major in business/finance, is ecstatic to have his recruitment at an end.

“What a great feeling to commit,” Keilen related. “My parents and family are huge supporters of me and incredibly proud of me. We all just felt Central was the place for me and didn’t have any second thoughts about it. We all have a sense of comfortability.”

There is more to look forward to when it comes to school and playing baseball at Central Michigan.

“I’m super excited to be developed and get better every day,” Keilen concluded. “I think Central will be great at that, along with winning. Coach Sabol has a track record of that and I think he will win. I’m very excited about that.”