CANFIELD - Dom Magliocca is a changed player from when Miami of Ohio first saw the Canfield prospect.

It is a change that the Mid-American Conference school likes, eventually resulting in an offer and commitment from the 54th-rated incoming senior in the state.

For starters, Magliocca is playing a new position.

“I moved to the outfield which is what Miami wanted me to do,” explained Magliocca, the 15th-ranked 2021 shortstop in Ohio. “It wasn’t a hard adjustment. The hard part was learning different reads on the ball. It’s a lot different than infield. I had to learn how the ball comes off the bat … my range to the ball, using my speed and my athletic ability. Basically I had to learn everything about it.”

It is a move Miami felt was necessary according to Magliocca.

“They said you’re going to have to accept the fact that to go to the next level you’re going to have to play where needed,” Magliocca related. “That adjustment needed to be made. I’m pretty comfortable out there now.”

The 5-10 170-pounder has also made headway at the plate, though it is a big reason Miami was attracted to Magliocca in the first place.

“I’ve developed a lot more power,” Magliocca noted. “I had two grand slams this summer in five days and I sent him video. He was stoked about it. He loves the power I’ve progressed into.”

Hard work without a spring season proved beneficial.

“During the quarantine I took advantage of my extra time to prepare for the summer season,” Magliocca pointed out. “I stayed in the weight room and I put on more weight. I was perfecting my swing with a lot of live pitching in the cages.”

Tyler Mitchell at Brownlee, a big influence in his baseball journey along with Ben Simon, helped in that regard.

“We did a lot of machine work trying to challenge ourselves,” Magliocca explained. “In a good way the quarantine was good, but it was bad as well.”

A relationship with Miami began last fall.

“They followed me through the offseason and were going to come watch high school games but obviously that didn’t happen,” Magliocca said. “Summer ball came and I had a good summer and sent them videos. Basically the recruiting process went through videos since they couldn’t come see me with the virus.”

Eventually, an offer came.

“Miami was number one in reaching out to me, especially with the virus and no other D-I school to reach out to me,” Magliocca noted.

D-II schools Seton Hill, Bryant & Stratton and Salem College all had Magliocca on the recruiting radar. 

“Overall, Miami just seemed like home,” Magliocca said. “The campus is so pretty, it had a comfortable feel. I took a visit there in December and at first it was almost overwhelming. I was going to have a chance to play at college.

“The coaches there just kind of helped influence me. Everyone there, it’s almost like a family. Once they gave me an offer I took my time to chew on it. But the campus really grew on me and the way they do things helped me a lot in making the decision.”

The Canfield product has had the desire to play college baseball for some time.

“Since I was five or six I’ve had a goal to be a Division I player and it’s finally a reality,” Magliocca said. “When I was 14, I left local ball to play travel ball. Once the competition grows, you see more difficult times. But if you outwork the person beside you there’s a chance you can go somewhere. At 15 it became a reality.”

In reaching the dream, Magliocca had guidance from his father.

“My father coached me when I was younger before I moved on with Ben and Tyler,” Magliocca said. “Growing up he pushed me to be better than the guy beside you. If you’re not working hard, somebody else is working harder.”

It happily brings a close to the recruiting process for Magliocca, a 3.3 student leaning toward business as a college major.

“I didn’t like the pressure, sometimes it felt like you needed to do good rather than just go out and have fun which is when you play your best,” Magliocca admitted about his recruitment. “But overall it was a great time, attending PBR events and going to play in Florida. I love going against different competition and showcasing my skills.”

Magliocca now looks to display his abilities at the next level.

“I think over time I’ll be a really good bat,” explained Magliocca. “I think I can progress with a lot of hard work and good coaching there.”