PBR Ohio's Top Stories for the Year 2017: Early Period Signing Period Breakdown
December 20, 2017
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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 of Scouting take a look back at the year in review and put together a list of the top stories for 2017.
Top Stories of 2017 Rundown:
- Team Ohio Showcases Talents at 2017 Future Games
- Early Signing Period Breakdown
PBR Ohio's Top Stories for the Year 2017: Early Period Signing Period Breakdown
The NCAA early signing period occurred during the week of November 8th, through the 15th. With the start of the fall signing period behind us, we looked to break down each individual Division I commitment from in-state prospects, where they are headed and what tools they will bring with them to the next level.
To read the full article with more in-depth analysis on each individual prospect, please click here.
Below, is a quick look at each individual class.
Bowling Green State University Falcons
Overview: The Falcons in-state 2018 recruiting class focuses on the guys who touch the ball the most. Recruiting coordinator Rick Blanc added two right-handed arms and a catching prospect.
| Name | State | High School | Position |
| Tyler Haas | OH | Eastwood | C |
| Tyler Hays | OH | Copley | RHP |
| Andrew Oehmke | MI | L'anse Creuse North | RHP |
| Griffin Parrill | OH | Perrysburg | RHP |
| Jay Ward | IL | Carmel Catholic | LHP |
- Total Commits: 5
- # Top 50 Ranked Players (Ohio): 1
- Immediate Impact Player: Tyler Hays
- Sleeper of the Class: Griffin Parrill
Cincinnati Bearcats
Overview:
It didn’t take long for the new Bearcat staff to create a buzz in Cincinnati. Led by reemergence of recruiting coordinator Jonathan Heilmann, Cincinnati quickly landed two of the state’s top prospects in the class of 2018.
| Name | State | High School | Position |
| Drake Batcho | OH | Champion | LHP |
| Brennan Dolwick | WI | Lake Mills | LHP |
| Gage Hughes | KY | Greenup County | SS |
| Griffin Merritt | OH | Lasalle | 3B |
| Nate Meyer | OH | Bishop Watterson | SS |
| Nick Murray | MA | St. Mark's | RHP |
| Evan Shawver | OH | Amherst Steele | OF |
- Total Commits: 7
- # Top 50 Ranked Players (Ohio): 2
- Immediate Impact Player: Drake Batcho, Evan Shawver
- Sleeper of the Class: Griffin Merritt
Dayton Flyers
Overview: Newly appointed Head Coach Jayson King and his staff have been hitting the ground running with their recruiting efforts. Recruiting coordinator Tommy Chase has put a premium on upside and versatility. The Flyers add five in state commits, four of which rank in the top 100.
| Name | State | High School | Position |
| Nick Angel | IL | Libertyville | OF |
| Warren Clarke | OH | Badin | OF |
| Dylan Keller | OH | Howland Local | RHP |
| Kyle LaCalameto | OH | Kings | LHP |
| Bryce Roberts | OH | Edison | SS |
| Jake Silverstein | OH | Turpin | RHP |
| Zach Watzka | WI | Green Bay East | RHP |
- Total Commits: 7
- # Top 50 Ranked Players (Ohio): 0
- Immediate Impact Player: Kyle LaCalameto, Jake Silverstein
- Sleeper of the Class: Bryce Roberts
Kent State Golden Flashes
Overview: Coach Duncan and the Kent State staff added a little bit of everything with their 2018 in-state recruits. And, even more impressive, three of the five are former Future Games participants.
| Name | State | High School | Position |
| Luke Albright | IN | Fishers | RHP |
| Joe Capretta | OH | Aurora | C |
| Ryan Kircher | PA | Plum | LHP |
| Devan Nail | OH | Elyria | SS |
| Alex Neff | OH | Oakwood | OF |
| Nick Thwaits | OH | Fort Recovery | RHP |
| Brant Vanaman | IL | Hall | C |
| Grant Vera | OH | Tiffin Calvert Catholic | SS |
| Blake Wasson | WV | Frankfort | RHP |
- Total Commits: 9
- # Top 50 Ranked Players (Ohio): 4
- Immediate Impact Player: Nick Thwaits
- Sleeper of the Class: Grant Vera
MIAMI (OH) Redhawks
Overview: The Redhawks went heavy on in-state position players for their 2018 commits. New recruiting coordinator, Justin Dedman, along with pitching coach Matt Davis, helped add a top catching prospect and a pair of corner infielders.
| Name | State | High School | Position |
| Cole Andrews | OH | Bishop Watterson | C |
| Sam Bachman | IN | Hamilton Southeastern | RHP |
| Tyler Bosma | MI | West Ottawa | LHP |
| Bryce Haberthier | OH | Springboro | 3B |
| Steven Hamer | IL | St. Charles North | OF |
| Ethan Hoffman | MI | Bishop Foley | LHP |
| Stephen Krause | OH | Wilmington | 1B |
| Nicholas Laxner | IL | Huntley | RHP |
- Total Commits: 8
- # Top 50 Ranked Players (Ohio): 1
- Immediate Impact Player: Cole Andrews
- Sleeper of the Class: Stephen Krause
Ohio State Buckeyes
Overview: The Buckeyes put together another outstanding class. Eight out of ten future Buckeyes rank inside the state’s top 30 with all ten ranking inside the top 50. Recruiting coordinator Chris Holick continues to make the most of his trips to the Top Prospect Games and Future Games as nine out of ten commits participated in one or both events.
| Name | State | High School | Position |
| TJ Brock | OH | Cincinnati Country Day | RHP |
| Garrett Burhenn | IN | Lawrence North | RHP |
| Nolan Clegg | OH | Toronto | OF |
| Zach Dezenzo | OH | Marlington | SS |
| Marcus Ernst | OH | Dublin Coffman | SS |
| Nicholas Erwin | OH | Grove City | SS |
| Keegan Fish | OH | Lakota West | C |
| Mitch Milheim | OH | Olentangy Liberty | LHP |
| Cole Niekamp | OH | Versailles | RHP |
| Will Pfennig | OH | Mason | RHP |
| Bayden Root | IN | Kokomo | RHP |
| Mitchell Smith | OH | Pickerington North | C |
- Total Commits: 12
- # Top 50 Ranked Players (Ohio): 10
- Immediate Impact Player: Zach Dezenzo, TJ Brock
- Sleeper of the Class: Nicholas Erwin, Marcus Ernst
Ohio Bobcats
Overview: The Bobcats brought in a balanced 2018 class with the addition of two right-handed arms and added depth up the middle of the infield.
| Name | State | High School | Position |
| Zyon Avery | IN | Ben Davis | C |
| Matthew Brosky | OH | Strongsville | RHP |
| Randon Dauman | WI | Columbus | RHP |
| Evan Fromwiller | OH | Aurora | SS |
| Braxton Kelly | KY | Johnson Central | RHP |
| Joseph Rock | PA | Hopewell | LHP |
| Colin Sells | OH | Bloom Carroll | RHP |
| Ryan Strittmather | OH | Elyria Catholic | 2B |
- Total Commits: 8
- # Top 50 Ranked Players (Ohio): 3
- Immediate Impact Player: Colin Sells
- Sleeper of the Class: Ryan Strittmather
Toledo Rockets
Overview: The Rockets added one of the top left-handed power hitters in Ohio while also plucking three players out of the Lake Erie Warhawks summer program.
| Name | State | High School | Position |
| Frank Ciacchi | OH | Brunswick | 3B |
| Darryn Davis | MI | Skyline High School | 3B |
| Thomas Eitniear | MI | Ottawa Lake Whiteford | SS |
| Kyle Jones | MI | De La Salle | RHP |
| Mark Mohnickey | OH | St Edward | C |
| Jamie Myers | OH | Midview | LHP |
| Ryan Thompson | OH | Dover HS | OF |
- Total Commits: 7
- # Top 50 Ranked Players (Ohio): 1
- Immediate Impact Player: Ryan Thompson
- Sleeper of the Class: Frank Ciacchi
Wright State Raiders
Overview: After loading up last year’s signing class with position players, the Raiders collected a heavy haul of pitching prospects - and, all four arms ranking inside the state’s top 40 prospects. In addition, recruiting coordinator Nate Metzger also added a talented catching prospect and an outfielder.
| Name | State | High School | Position |
| Bradley Brehmer | IN | Decatur Central | RHP |
| Jared Burick | OH | Tallmadge | OF |
| Wesley Earles | OH | Southeastern | LHP |
| Tristan Haught | OH | Edison | RHP |
| Brock Nartker | OH | Anthony Wayne | RHP |
| Riley Perlich | IN | Carroll | RHP |
| Cameron Rountree | OH | Springboro | C |
| Sam Wirsing | OH | Madeira | RHP |
- Total Commits: 8
- # Top 50 Ranked Players (Ohio): 5
- Immediate Impact Player: Brock Nartker
- Sleeper of the Class: Tristan Haught, Sam Wirsing
Xavier Musketeers
Overview: With Coach Googins moving over to Cincinnati, this will be new head coach Billy O’Connor’s first signing class at Xavier. The Musketeers went for quality over quantity in-state prospects for their 2018 class. Recruiting Coordinator Nick Otte landed two power arms, both ranking in the top 35 of the state’s Class of 2018 Rankings.
| Name | State | High School | Position |
| Jake Armentrout | IN | Wheeler | OF |
| Lane Flamm | OH | New Richmond HS | RHP |
| Luke Franzoni | NJ | Princeton Day School | SS |
| Jack Housinger | IL | Stevenson | SS |
| Jackson Kaplowitz | IL | Notre Dame | SS |
| Seth Klaiber | OH | Badin | RHP |
| Luke Stephenson | MI | Algonac | C |
| Andrew Walker | PA | Pittsburgh Central Catholic | OF |
- Total Commits: 8
- # Top 50 Ranked Players (Ohio): 2
- Immediate Impact Player: Lane Flamm
- Sleeper of the Class: Seth Klaiber
Youngstown State Penguins
Overview: The new Penguin staff is as active as any program in Ohio on the recruiting trail. Recruiting coordinator Eric Smith is a familiar presence at showcases and tournaments, no matter where the trail may take him. As a result, the Penguins’ in-state recruiting class features two talented position players and a right-handed power arm from different parts of the state.
| Name | State | High School | Position |
| Blake Benyo | OH | IMG Academy | OF |
| Phillip Glasser | OH | Tallmadge | SS |
| Brandon Matthews | PA | Punxsutawney Area | RHP |
| Travis Perry | PA | Rocky Grove | RHP |
| Brett Souder | OH | Kings | RHP |
- Total Commits: 5
- # Top 50 Ranked Players (Ohio): 1
- Immediate Impact Player: Brett Souder
- Sleeper of the Class: Phillip Glasser