PBR Ohio's Top Stories for the Year 2016: Big Time Commits from the Year

January 3, 2017

By Jordan Chiero and Dylan Hefflinger
PBR Ohio Scouting Director and Ohio Editor in Chief/NW Scout

PBR Ohio started up on May 3rd, 2011 as seen here. From that day, Chris Valentine has had a goal to promote high school baseball in Ohio at the highest level possible. Chris has been able to do this thanks to the help of parents, coaches, and the talented players throughout the state of Ohio.

Chris has also built a staff that has the drive to make Ohio one of, if not the top viewed website for Prep Baseball Report as well as put on some of the best showcases in the nation to help promote the high school talent that resides in the Buckeye State.

Dylan Hefflinger, PBR Ohio Editor in Chief/NW Scout, along with Jordan Chiero, PBR Ohio Director Scouting take a look back at the year in review and put together a list of the top stories for 2016.

Today we take a look at the big time commits from 2016.

Each day we will reveal the next story on the list. A hint for the next story is the word "MLB Draft".

Interested in attending a PBR Ohio event? Check out our schedule by clicking here.

PBR Ohio's Top Stories for the Year 2016: Big Time Commits from the Year

Austin Becker, RHP, Big Walnut HS, 2018
Commitment: Vanderbilt
Vanderbilt has landed a number of the nation’s top rated prospects in the 2018 class and Becker has a chance to be the best of them all. The 6-foot-6 right-hander is one of the most projectable prospects Ohio has produced in recent memory. Becker is a top 10 ranked prospect nationally by both PBR and Perfect Game. His frame and low to mid 90’s have MLB scouts talking as well, making him a possible high draft pick down the road.

Video of Becker:

Luke Waddell, SS, Loveland HS, 2017
Commitment: Georgia Tech
The two sport star out of Loveland was one of the most sought after prospects in the state. With a number of the state’s top prospects off the board Waddell was still weighing his options heading into 2016. His decision came down to Vanderbilt and Georgia Tech, before committing to the Yellow Jackets.

Video of Waddell:

Casey Maniglia, RHP/OF, Solon HS, 2018
Commitment: North Carolina
A duel prospect that used a very impressive weekend at the 2016 PBR Future Games to put himself on the national recruiting scene. Maniglia received offers from multiple power 5 programs shortly after the event. He decided to continue his career at the University of North Carolina.

Video of Maniglia Pitching:

Video of Maniglia as Position Player:

Zach Dezenzo, SS, Marlington HS, 2018
Commitment: Ohio State
Dezenzo passes the look test with flying colors at 6-foot-3, 185-pounds and had scouts from ACC, SEC, and Big 10 programs knocking at the door after his strong summer. The Marlington product has the highest ceiling of any position player in his class. Dezenzo ultimately decided to stay in state and attend Ohio State University.

Video of Dezenzo:

Nick Thwaits, RHP, Fort Recovery HS, 2018
Commitment: Kent State
Early in his high school career Thwaits became known as one of the top arms in the state. After the 2015 Future Games he garnered interest from schools around the country. When he made it known relatively early in his recruiting process that proximity to home was important to him he had every D1 school in the state actively recruiting him. His decision was one of, if not the most anticipated one in the state. Thwaits eventually decided to continue his career at Kent State University.

Video of Thwaits: