AVON - Troy Sudbrook believes that the Toledo baseball program has a bright future. The Avon incoming-senior wants to be a part of it.

“I always thought of Toledo as just another city, but when I went on a visit it blew me away,” explained the 13th-rated 2022 shortstop in Ohio. “I loved the campus and everything about the program is on the uplift. I know a bunch of 2021 recruits coming in with a ton of talent. I think the program is on the right path. You could see that this year in MAC play.”

While the recruiting process for Sudbrook began in March of his sophomore year, Toledo entered the picture a year later.

“A lot of MAC schools reached out but Toledo didn’t come into it until the end of February this year,” Sudbrook reflected. “Coach Mac (Nick McIntyre) saw videos of my swings and defense on PBR and said ‘can you send more game film?’ I sent them both good and bad ABs as well as my infield defense.

“After that I got on facetime with them. They made me feel at home. I liked the way they approached me and talked to me. They have the same approach to baseball as me and my family. It’s professional with a respectful side. They care about your life.”

UT saw a lot to like about the 45th-ranked 2022 in the state.

“Maybe it’s overhyped, but they compared me to Chris Meyers who just won the MAC Player of the Year,” explained the 6-3 205-pounder. “He’s a left-handed hitting first baseman who came in as a shortstop. They moved him around and he ended up at pitch and first base this year. They compared my swing to his and how they developed him into a utility player to get him into the lineup. They were honest with me. They said we love you at shortstop, but if we need to stick you in the lineup we may have to move you where we need to move you.”

What position he plays does not matter to Sudbrook, who has dreamed about playing baseball at the next level.

“It’s been a big part of my life for as long as I can remember,” Sudbrook said about the sport. “I didn’t pay attention to players and names until eighth grade. It was then I realized I wasn’t the best athlete but was good and realized if I wanted to go farther and play D-I baseball I had to step it up. I got into the weight room and worked on my skills and I started going to camps.”

The dream began to become a reality for Sudbrook, who points to a baseball-oriented family with helping out the cause.

“I got my first offer last June or July from Akron,” Sudbrook related. “After I got off the phone I sat down and thought ... I really can be a college baseball player.”

Emotion came once a commitment to Toledo was made.

“As soon as I committed there were tears of joy,” Sudbrook said. “I never cried like that. I was happy the way everything came full circle. To fulfill my dream of college baseball and my family’s dream felt so good.

“Before my grandfather died (in February of 2018) he said I was the best athlete in the family and that I could do it. When I committed it made me think of him. He was always big to me in the baseball aspects of life. He was a recruiting coordinator for St. Bonaventure back in 2004 when I was born and he always wanted me to be the ‘grandson baseball player’. He gave me a ring from the Atlatic 10 to remind me of him. I know he’d be happy I’ve gotten this far.”

A 4.2 student planning on business as a major, Sudbrook looks forward to the baseball journey continuing at the Mid-American Conference school.

“I feel my play will speak for itself,” Sudbrook said. “I’m not a flashy guy, I just play the game the way I want to play the game. If you ask my coach, I play by example. I’ll go in and work. It’s the same way off the field with the way I carry myself. I’ll come in as a well-rounded recruit for Toledo.”

Hard work during covid times proved beneficial for Sudbrook.

“I didn’t take a day off during covid,” Sudbrook pointed out. “My dad is general manager of T3 Elite and I was able to go up and hit in the cages. Whenever I couldn’t go there, I’d be in the backyard playing or hitting fungos with my brother. That led into summer ball.

“Obviously, the process was hard,” Sudbrook continued. “People told me there were bigger schools I could go to but I felt Toledo was the best place for me overall and I have a chance to play right away. I know I have to work to do it, but that’s what I’ve always done.”