CINCINNATI - Michigan State had just what Thomas Ryan was searching for in a college.

“What an amazing opportunity to play baseball in the Big 10,” the St. Xavier senior said about an offer and commitment made to the school four-and-a-half hours away. “It’s close to home and my family can come see me play. I have a good relationship with the coaches, the recruiting coordinator and the head coach. I went on two visits and liked what I saw with the business school.”

Interest from MSU began in the winter of junior year.

“I started talking to them through the Alpha Pro Day after I hit 87.4,” reflected the 14th-rated 2022 right-handed pitcher in Ohio. “Then I went to the PBR Midland Scout Day and threw 87.3. After that they reached out to one of my coaches, Marcus Davis. We continued to talk and in the fall I went there to a football game.

“In February I was up to 88 and I sent them video,” Ryan continued. “I went on a visit and I met the coaches, the players and also Tom Izzo. They gave me an offer on Feb. 14 and I committed the next day.”

Michigan State saw a lot of promise in the 6-2 180-pounder.

“They talked to my high school coaches and Midland coaches and they know my intangibles and work ethic,” Ryan explained. “I have a lot of projectability, I’m only 17. I can keep getting bigger and better.”

Offers from Denison and Marietta along with interest from local D-I schools and Lafayette were under consideration by Ryan, who admitted to some nerves being uncommitted more than halfway through his final year of high school.

“Being a senior it was a bit stressful not knowing where you’re going,” Ryan related. “I just tried to stay positive and when I made the decision it was a big relief. I’m glad to be able to play baseball and be stress-free from not knowing where you’re going to go to college.”

The desire to play at the next level has been there for some time.

“I’ve always had a dream of playing in college since I was a young kid playing baseball and watching the Reds on TV,” Ryan noted. “I’m happy the dream is a reality.’
It became realistic once in high school.

“After my freshman year I knew I could do it,” Ryan said. “I have a lot of confidence in myself and knew if I kept working the dream would become a reality.

“I worked in the weight room five days a week,” added Ryan about improvement made to get to the point of becoming a college commit. “I worked at getting better as a hitter and better as a leader as well.”

Family, parents, a younger brother (Jack), the St. X staff, the Midland coaches, Alpha Baseball, hitting coach Marcus Davis and Pro Force Strength and Conditioning are all credited by Ryan with making a major impact in his baseball journey.

“It was a bit stressful but also cool to meet all the coaches and build relationships,” Ryan said. “Midland Scout Day and PBR throughout my high school years helped as I continued to build my statistics. All the coaches were able to see my progress and projectability as I continued to get better.”

A 4.0 student planning on a major in finance, Ryan feels he has a lot to provide the program at Michigan State.

“I will bring leadership,” Ryan proclaimed. “I’ve had the will since I was young to learn and get better. I’m a student of the game. Those intangibles and projectability continue to get better each day whether it’s at practice or in a game.”

The chance to grow at MSU has the 52nd-ranked senior in Ohio excited.

“I’m looking forward to building relationships with my teammates, being at a Big 10 school and competing against great talent,” Ryan concluded.