WALTON HILLS - The eighth-rated 2023 shortstop in Ohio has found a future home. Joey Canzoni is a Cincinnati commit.

“I started talking to them two to three months ago,” the Walsh Jesuit junior reflected. “They first saw me at my first summer ballgame with Release a day after we lost in the state semifinals. They’ve been following me around and I’ve gotten to talk with (assistant) coach (JD) Heilmann. I like him a lot. I also talked with (head) coach (Scott) Googins. He’s an awesome coach. I’ve really grown to like them.”

The opportunity to play in the American Athletic Conference at a school in the state is a dream come true for the 16-year-old.

“I’ve wanted to play college baseball my whole life,” explained the 33rd-rated 2023 in Ohio, who played third base and batted fifth as a sophomore in helping Walsh Jesuit reach the Division I state tournament. “I grew up playing baseball and it’s always been a goal to keep playing baseball. Division I is something I’ve wanted to do since I started. As soon as Cincinnati showed interest and gave me an offer it was something I thought I couldn’t pass up.”

Miami was the first college that talked with Canzoni during recruitment while Xavier also showed interest along with Kent State.

“Going into high school I was talking to my coaches and hearing them say I have a very good future,” Canzoni said about his dream becoming realistic.

Three were instrumental in helping the 5-10 178-pounder become a D-I recruit.

“Coach (Chris) Kaczmar has been a mentor for me,” Canzoni said of the Walsh Jesuit head coach. “He’s someone I really look up to. Ken Erdmann, my summer coach, is like a second dad to me. He’s been coaching me for four or five years now. And coach (Matt) Rosinski has been the biggest for recruitment. He knows what he’s doing with baseball and recruiting.”

Canzoni also pointed to his family, mother Danelle and father Anthony, as being the first and foremost important along the way as well as his sister who is “always at my games watching. I appreciate that.”

A visit to Cincinnati helped finalize the decision.

“I got down there for a tournament at Prasco Park and saw the stadium and the campus,” Canzoni said. “Everything was beautiful. I like that the class sizes are smaller but it’s a bigger campus.”

There was a lot that the Cincinnati coaching staff was fond of about Canzoni.

“They like my athleticism,” Canzoni noted. “They were recruiting me for my all-around play. I have a good bat and a good glove. I can play both defense and offense pretty well. I’m also a great competitor.” 

The 13th-ranked uncommitted junior in Ohio at the time of his commitment, Canzoni believes he can be a valuable asset to the program at Cincinnati.

“I’ll bring, hopefully, someone that can save runs defensively up the middle,” explained Canzoni. “I’m a great teammate and a fiery competitor with a good bat. I want to be the best baseball player I can be but also the best teammate I can be.”

A 3.9 student unsure of a college major, Canzoni is happy with the way the recruiting process went.

“I liked being able to showcase my talents,” Canzoni said. “I  loved seeing the scouts out watching games this year. I think it makes it a lot easier.

“Now that I’m committed there’s going to be a lot less pressure,” added Canzoni. “It’s perfect timing. I wanted to commit by the end of summer and I got it done a little earlier than expected. It’s perfect.”

It is also a great feeling according to the future Bearcat.

“I’m super excited about this,” Canzoni concluded. “There’s a feeling of relief, too. It’s one of the best feelings I’ve ever had for sure.”