CINCINNATI - The recruiting process kicked in when the spring baseball season was shut down and by summer’s end Michael Conte was a Division I college commit.

“For me it started with quarantine,” Conte related about his recruitment. “I posted videos to Twitter and then throughout the summer I talked with 12 to 15 schools. It came down to my top four.

“It was about self promotion and getting my name out there, letting coaches know when I threw and when I was throwing for PBR. Midland helped with live streaming and getting me in contact with coaches.”

A velocity increase helped the cause for the 14th-rated 2021 right-handed pitcher in the state.

“Last summer I was 77-80,” noted Conte. “A combination of working with Scott Stocker and focusing more on baseball was the difference. Quarantine was a big factor for me taking more time to develop.

“This summer my velocity jumped, my breaking ball got better and I came into myself as a pitcher with how to attack guys with what I can throw.”

The velo jump has the Walnut Hills senior now topping at 89.

“My first jump was at the PBR Midland Scout Day,” Conte said in reference to the February event. “I did better than I thought, 87 which was a PR for me. Then I was invited to the Top Prospect Games. That was a lot of fun competing with and being challenged by all those guys.”

Soon after, Central Michigan came into the picture for the 47th-ranked senior in Ohio.

“I talked with pitching coach (Tony) Jandron first,” noted Conte, who believes the TPG was the first time Central had seen him pitch. “Then we had a zoom call with my parents and they offered me. I made the decision a month later.”

Charleston, High Point and Marshall were still under consideration by the 6-3 190-pounder in addition to the Mid-American Conference school in Mount Pleasant..

“It came down to four offers,” Conte pointed out. “I waited because I wanted to see how the season progressed and I wanted to see all four schools. What stood out with Central was a combination of things. It had a traditional campus feel along with facilities that make it apparent they were invested in their sports.”

Central liked what they saw in the 17-year-old from Cincinnati.

“They’re a big fan from the references given by coach Stocker,” Conte explained. “They love my pitchability. I’ve learned how to pitch now with more velocity, but the biggest thing is my pitchability.”

To that Conte gave credit to his new summer team.

“I switched to Midland (Braves) this year,” Conte noted. “The whole organization gave me a chance to grow and references to talk to colleges.”
Stocker and Ben Moore, a 2020 Walnut Hills grad, have been the biggest influences according to Conte.

“It’s been two main guys that have helped the most,” Conte said. “Scott Stocker has been my pitching coach the last year and easily has been the main reason I’m where I’m at. Ben Moore has been my throwing partner in the fall and during quarantine and has also been big.”

A future business major in college now carrying a 4.2 unweighted GPA, Conte is excited about the opportunity ahead at the next level.

“It’s always been a dream of mine to play college baseball but I didn’t think it was a real possibility until I began showing improvement last fall,” Conte said. “I remember getting on the mound for the first time then and thinking I’m competing at a higher level. Then this summer I made leaps and bounds over last summer.”

The senior at Walnut Hills is confident Central Michigan is the right place for him.

“I think I can bring over a mentality of attacking guys and getting better,” Conte said. “The 2021 group at Central is really good and I’m excited about that. Everyone is super nice up there, I’ve never heard a single bad thing about the town or the university. I felt comfortable there and feel it’s a place I can thrive and compete on the baseball field.”