Oakland ‘The Best Of Both Worlds’ For Voikos

Anthony Voikos RHP / 1B / Stoney Creek, MI / 2026

ROCHESTER HILLS - “College baseball has always been my goal but I never imagined how I would get there,” explained Anthony Voikos. “I just knew I wanted to play it.”

That uncertainty has turned into reality for the Stoney Creek junior after a college commitment to the university just 10 minutes from home.

“I feel that Oakland is my best bet in terms of schooling, price, closeness and with how good they are at baseball,” Voikos said.

It was two years ago when Oakland first saw the ninth-rated 2026 right-handed pitcher in Michigan.

“I was playing 15U in a local tournament and Mike Rice with the Detroit Prospects brought them to a game,” Voikos reflected. “I pitched well and ever since I’ve been on their radar.”

On Aug. 1 a text from Oakland led to a September visit where an offer was presented.

“I waited until after football season,” Voikos said about making a decision. “I realized the recruiting process would be harder with the transfer portal so Oakland looked like the best option. I feel I’ll be able to make an impact.”

Western Michigan, California State and Michigan State were among the other schools that showed an interest in the 6-3 205-pounder.

“Prep Baseball definitely helped me,” Voikos related. “The Future Games put me out there. I hadn’t done much exposure before that, just a few local camps.”

Oakland sees a lot of promise in the 23rd-ranked junior in the state.

“They saw my potential,” Voikos explained. “They like that I’m local and want to develop me. They think they can develop me better by the way they run their program. They like my attitude, my work ethic and my personality. It just clicked really well with them.”

Recent improvement helped the cause in finding a college home.

“I attribute getting better to putting in the work,” the 17-year-old noted. “I’m in the gym all the time. I surround myself with good people and that helps. Friends, coaches, teammates, peers, people striving for the same thing as me in terms of being the best you can be.”

The Detroit Prospects Gintner travel team has been a big part of the baseball journey according to Voikos.

“They’ve helped me not only grow as a baseball player but as a person,” Voikos explained. “One of the reasons I love the game the way I do is because of them.”

Voikos, who plays tight end and defensive end on the Stoney Creek football team that advanced to the playoffs, feels he can make an impact on the ball diamond at the next level with the Horizon League program.

“Hopefully, I’ll be able to provide them some valuable innings,” Voikos said. “I want to add to the culture, fit in with the team, improve and make lasting relationships with the coaches and my teammates.”

Doing it all close to home only adds to the excitement.

“I like that I can have my family come watch me play,” Voikos noted. “I can see my parents but still get to live on campus and do what normal students do. It’s the best of both worlds.”

That made for a memorable feeling when making a commitment.

“When I told my family they all were super excited,” Voikos reflected. “I felt a feeling of accomplishment, I achieved my dream.”

A major in accounting is the plan according to Voikos, a 3.5 student ready to encounter life as a student-athlete at Oakland.

“I’m looking forward to traveling across the country and experiencing it all,” Voikos concluded. “I’m excited to make a ton of memories and create friendships that will last a long time. I’m also looking forward to getting a degree to help set me up for the future.”