CENTERVILLE - Defense has always been a strength for Matthew Graveline. But improvement at hitting is when Ohio State took notice in the versatile junior-to-be at Centerville.

“They saw me play at their stadium with my summer team,” explained the second-rated 2022 catcher in the state. “My offensive side had not come around until this year.”

That was not a problem behind the plate.

“I’m a great defensive catcher,” noted Graveline, who also excels at third base and pitcher among other positions. “They really like my arm.”

With the hit tool on the rise, the 6-2 175-pounder became a recruit of interest for Ohio State. However, there was one problem.

“They had no scholarships to give out for catchers and positions players,” Graveline said about the recruiting class of 2022. “So they took one out of the pitchers and gave it to me.

“It all went pretty quick to be honest. They talked to my summer coach the day before and said ‘would you like to go there.’”

It was not a difficult question to answer for the 15th-ranked uncommitted junior in Ohio.

“I’ve been an Ohio State fan my whole life so this was awesome,” Graveline explained. “It’s a great location and close to home.

“I was pumped to be honest. I love the coaches and the atmosphere is incredible. They have a lot of talent coming in. I play with some of those guys, so there’s a lot of chemistry there.”

Miami and Wright State had both offered Graveline “awhile ago” but the top-ranked uncommitted position player in Ohio’s 2022 class decided to play the waiting game first.

“I wanted to see what happened with my recruiting process,” Graveline related. “But then corona messed that up.”

Recruitment was put on hold, to a degree.

“I ended up waiting around, I didn’t know what to do,” Graveline admitted. “I decided to let things happen, play in the summer and see what colleges were interested.”

After all, the idea of playing at the next level had been there for some time so what’s a few more months?

“I’ve always loved the game and wanted to keep playing for as long as I could,” Graveline said.

One area of the game has stood out all along.

“I’ve always had a strong arm,” Graveline noted. “I get that from my dad. That’s what most guys need and don’t have, but for me it comes natural.”

Graveline points to his father as the biggest influence in his baseball journey.

“Definitely my dad and my mom have been big,” Graveline said. “My dad mostly. He pushed me to put the work in. He’d drive me to hit no matter the situation.”

It helped open up the recruiting process early on.

“It all was new to me,” Graveline admitted. “The summer going into my freshman year Indiana showed an interest but I didn’t really know about the process. After that I didn’t get recruited much until my sophomore year.

“It was all kind of weird how some were interested and some would talk to you and then you wouldn’t hear anything more from them. When I got bigger, stronger and faster colleges started to see me more and showed more interest.”

An improved stick brought Ohio State on board and that is an area Graveline plans to continue to focus on in the future.

“Getting more comfortable in the box on the offensive side is something I need to improve on,” Graveline said. “I’ve also got to get the mental side stronger.”

But his work behind the plate is certainly an area that attracted schools to Graveline, who had the best pop time (1.87) and top catcher’s velocity (82) at the PBR Preseason All-State Underclass Showcase back in February.

“Defensive ability, that’s my strong point,” Graveline said about what he feels he can bring to Ohio State, where the 3.5 student plans to major in business. “Plus, I can play almost anywhere.”