NEW BALTIMORE - Once the current coaching staff at Michigan made it apparent that Tyler Finkbeiner was on their radar, the Anchor Bay sophomore knew the time was right to make a decision.

“I felt like I can’t get much much better,” the fourth-ranked 2025 in the state explained. “I’d be playing in my own state, the education, the development. … Why drag it on when this is the spot I want to be? The timing was right.”

And schools that had been in the picture - like Ohio State, Indiana, Clemson and LSU - were no longer in the running for the 6-5 200-pounder, who made a commitment to be part of the program in Ann Arbor.

“I was a Michigan fan growing up so it’s a dream to play at Michigan,” Finkbeiner said.

Interest from the Big 10 school less than an hour from Finkbeiner’s home began in the summer of 2021.

“Playing in the PBR Junior Future Games last year got things started for me,” reflected the 43rd-rated 2025 right-handed pitcher in the nation. “I was recruited by their old staff, but then things went quiet with the (coaching) changes. I had wanted to go south to play, but started thinking why leave Michigan, there’s lots of talent and then there’s the education.”

Enter the current coaches for the Maize-and-Blue.

“I had an instant connection with the new staff,” Finkbeiner related. “I was around campus more and enjoyed what they had to say. I was at a camp and Tito Flores (a senior outfielder at Michigan) was there talking about the sense of pride at the school, and said to stay in your own state and you can succeed.”

It all added up for the 196th-ranked sophomore in the country, who was made aware an offer was out there from Michigan in July before committing in September on the day the offer became official.

“I took two months to think about it,” Finkbeiner said. “I wasn’t sure if I wanted to stay in Michigan or play in the SEC or ACC. I did some camps in the summer to figure it all out.”

The education and coaching staff helped the 15-year-old come to a decision to remain in-state.

“I’ve been playing baseball since I was three,” Finkbeiner explained. “Ever since I started I knew college baseball was the thing I wanted to do and it’s been a dream of mine. I began to take it more seriously in middle school. I was an above-average pitcher and started thinking this could be a real thing.”

The recruiting process, helped out by former PBR Michigan scouting director Aaron Wilson, summer coach Denis Drumb and pitching coach Brad Mumma, aided the cause for the third-rated 2025 in the state.

“I thought it was a ton of fun,” Finkbeiner said of being recruited. “The Junior Future Games is what got it started and after that it was showcase stuff and bigger tournaments. PBR definitely helped out.”

Finkbeiner now aims to make an impact in the Michigan program.

“I’ll be a reliable pitcher in any role, keeping the team in games and winning games for the Wolverines,” Finkbeiner proclaimed. “Off the field I’ll be a leader. I’m always positive and overall will be good for the team.” 

A 4.2 student at Anchor Bay who plans to major in business, Finkbeiner pointed to his commitment with exuberance.

“It was the best feeling in the world,” Finkbeiner noted. “I couldn’t stop smiling. I was on campus for a camp and what a great feeling it was knowing that was where I was going to be. My family can come see me play almost every home game.”

There is more that Finkbeiner is anticipating as part of being a Michigan baseball player.

“I’m looking forward to creating a team bond,” Finkbeiner concluded. “In high school you play on your team only in the spring but with this it will be all year long. I hear you create best friends for your life. I’m looking forward to that brotherhood and the team aspect of the game.”