Lann One Of The Best In Ohio 'When He Is On'

Harper Lann RHP / Walsh Jesuit, OH / 2025

AKRON - Prep Baseball Ohio Scouting Director Jordan Chiero did not mince words when it came to his opinion of Harper Lann.

“When he’s on, there are few in the state that are better,” Chiero said of the 210-pound right handed pitcher. “He’s a 6-3 physical dude with quality stuff.”

The Walsh Jesuit junior listed seven schools he has been in talks with, including state schools Xavier, Cincinnati, Miami and Ohio State. East Carolina, Louisville and Kentucky are others showing an interest in the 10th-rated 2025 RHP in Ohio.

“Right now I’m interested in staying inside Ohio at a high-level school,” Lann related. “I’m very interested in Xavier. I love (head) coach (Billy) O’Conner, he’s a down to earth guy that you can go to about things outside of baseball.”

But it is on the ballfield where the 17-year-old is making an impression.

“We’ve seen it up to 90 before, and he certainly still has that capability with the four-seam, but the evolution of his cutter has improved his stock,” Chiero explained. “The pitch is more in the 83-86 range with quality action, and it gives hitters a unique look. The last two outings we’ve seen from him he gave hitters fits with it while showing the upper-80s heater when need be. He can also spin a breaker north of 2300 rpms.”

There is more that Lann believes he can provide a college program.

“I’ve put my heart and soul into the game and will continue to do that,” Lann said. “I’m one of those guys who, if I’m not in the gym I’m thinking there’s someone out there getting better so I’m going to find something to do to benefit me so I’m not wasting time.”

That mentality has helped bring improvement to his game. 

“I feel I’ve really improved mentally,” Lann pointed out. “I’ve been educated by guys like (Ryan) Piech (2023 at Xavier) and (Drew) Erdmann (2023 at Cincinnati) at Walsh, two good friends that I’ve learned so much from. They’ve helped give me more of an understanding if you're down and something’s wrong, how to fix it. I’ve learned not to need a pitching coach all the time. I can work to fix it and find positive things with it.”

The drive to get better is far from over.

“The past couple of months I’ve worked with Cressy Sport Performance in Florida,” Lann related. “It’s not the normal plan, more about every intricate movement and muscle. What I’m seeing with changes are instrumental.”

That is just part of the help the 29th-ranked junior in the state has had during his recruiting process.

“The most beneficial has been the Future Games, by far,” Lann said. “That’s the most crazy experience, not only the work it takes to get there but once you’re there the sense of pride I had in myself getting to throw in front of those scouts.”

Many of those that competed at the Prep Baseball event this past summer have now committed.

“Seeing others commit makes me want to commit as well but I’m not going to rush it,” Lann explained. “But it does push me to put extra time in the gym to have that extra step over others.”

The second-rated uncommitted 2025 right-handed pitcher in Ohio has an idea of what he is looking for in a college.

“I’m thinking of a school with more of a middle amount of people, not too big or too tiny,” Lann said. “I’d also like something close to home. I don’t have to get home in an hour, but a drivable distance. I’d like to see a program on the rise with maybe a younger pitching coach, not necessarily a head coach, but a young coach who uses technology to the best of his ability, which is what I do.”

So far the recruiting process has been an “up and down roller coaster” according to Lann.

“I’d like to say it’s a blast, and it is, but it’s not as easy as it looks,” the fifth-ranked uncommitted junior in the state explained. “It’s the time you put in behind the scenes. To get college calls you have to put work in when nobody's looking.”

College camps are possibilities coming up for Lann, who would like to commit before the end of summer.

“I’m looking into a few camps, but also looking to take a step back with my recruitment,” Lann concluded. “I want to be the number one guy at Walsh. That’s the biggest goal for me, to pitch against the highest level talent there is. That will help me know what to do so when I get to college I’ve been there, done that.”