HUDSON - Once unranked as a player, Drew Erdmann made a big jump in velocity while doing a better job of making sure college coaches knew who he was.

It added up to a high ranking as a pitcher, strong interest from schools and eventually a commitment with Cincinnati.

“It came down to Cincinnati, Ohio State and Miami,” the Walsh Jesuit junior said. “They all gave great offers and I visited them all, I just felt Cincinnati was the best fit for me and would make me a better player.”

That was quite a change from a year ago for the hard-throwing right-hander, who went from being unranked in Ohio to being the 117th-rated 2022 RHP in the nation.

“I knew I wasn’t getting my name out there,” Erdmann reflected back to the time before he came on the scene to earn a number three ranking in Ohio’s 2022 class of right-handed pitchers. “I knew I wanted to get myself up there and get to the top and that gave me a lot of motivation.

“I saw a lot of my friends talking to schools but knew it wasn’t my time. Coach (Matt) Rosinski (with Release) saw me going somewhere and I was patient with it. My coaches, like coach (Chris) Kaczmar, helped me get my name out there.”

Work with personal trainer Mike Grady aided in the development of Erdmann and interest with those at the next level began to heat up.

“Cincinnati showed the most interest in me,” Erdmann related. “It was great talking with (head) coach (Scott) Googins and coach (JD) Heilmann. Every conversation that I had with them was amazing. I really liked the interest they showed in me.

“When I went there I watched a couple games,” Erdmann added. “I did my research and liked what I saw. My sister going there helps. I feel I’ll have the most fun there, too.”

There was more that stood out with UC.

“The facilities are great, the competition is great, and the atmosphere is great,” Erdmann pointed out. “The culture is great and they develop their players well.”

Cincinnati sees in Erdmann a player that will do well in the program.

“They like my delivery and they like my potential,” Erdmann said of the American Athletic Conference school. “Something in there they like about me. The coaches think I can be a nice draft pick. That gets me motivated. They like my movement and velo and that I’m 6-3 and can grow more.”

Weight that went from 177 to 195 has also benefited the 11th-ranked junior in Ohio.

“I really hit the weight room,” Erdmann said. “I was committed and dedicated to getting my work in. It started with Grady and I saw my velo go up and up and just kept working. I made it to some PBR events and hit 89. That got my name out there and I went from being unranked to 11th in the state.”

Admittedly, the recruiting process was not easy.

“Last year none of the scouts could watch us so that made it tough,” Erdmann explained. “Players staying a fifth year and coaches maneuvering around it kind of got me worried. It came down to vedo and phone calls getting to know me.”

It all worked out for the Walsh Jesuit 16-year-old, a 3.75 student undecided on a major, with business and sports medicine being considered at this point in time.

“It’s very relieving to be committed,” Erdmann concluded. “Going through the whole process was tough, but going to Cincinnati I’m 100 percent sure about my decision. My family is so happy … my mom was crying and my sister’s happy we’ll be going to school together. I just feel it’s the best fit for me.”