Ohio Recruiting News

By Chris Valentine
PBR Ohio Scouting Director

CLASS OF 2015

+ The Ohio State University coaching staff continues to secure early commitments as they collect verbal pledges from two of the top twenty players in Class of 2015. Walsh Jesuit right-handed pitcher Ryan Feltnerpicked the Buckeyes over a host of Big Ten and MAC suitors. Shortly afterwards, Bellbrook shortstopCasey Demko, a switch-hitting, high energy prospect, picked the Buckeyes over Kent State, his dad's alma mater. Both players participated in the Midwest Futures Games at the beginning of August.

+ Gahanna Lincoln teammates Mason Daniels and Cole Gibson both ended their recruitments before the start of their junior year. The right-handed pitchers are heading out-of-state. Daniels pulled the trigger for Elon in North Carolina while Gibson is headed north to Oakland in Michigan.

CLASS OF 2014 

+ Newark Catholic senior outfielder Hunter Nance commits to Bowling Green. This is the second year in a row that Coach Schmitz and Coach Blanc have dipped into Licking County area. Last year, they picked up a late commitment from Johnstown's Matt Smith, who played as a freshman.

+ Moeller senior right-handed pitcher Nick Voss pulled the trigger and committed to the University of Cincinnati over the likes of Northern Kentucky and Furman this week. Voss came on strong last season for the Crusaders. The 6-foot-6, 190-pound prospect has a mid 80's fastball and projectable frame.

+ St. Ignatius senior southpaw Nick Margevicius committed to Rider University, a Division I program out of New Jersey. Margevicius played a prominent role for the Wildcats last season as they finished runner-up to Moeller in the state championship. The lefty shows a low to mid 80's fastball with the ability to locate and change speeds. 

+ Toledo Christian senior southpaw Dakoda Brown pulled the trigger and committed to Bowling Green over several MAC schools and Liberty. Brown came on strong at the Unsigned Senior Games at the beginning of August and quickly became the top unsigned senior southpaw after showing off a fastball that sat 84-85 mph and a sharp 73-73 mph breaking ball.

+ Massillon Jackson senior southpaw Sam Williams committed to Eastern Kentucky shortly after the Unsigned Senior Games. Williams, who previously threw a gem at EKU during a summer tournament with the Diamond Boys, sealed the deal during his early August appearance as he dominated hitters with a low to mid 80's fastball and 73-75 mph breaking ball. 

+ Bishop Ready senior catcher Hunter Clanin committed to Bowling Green shortly after the Unsigned Senior Games. The big, physical prospect offers plenty of athleticism. 

+ Troy senior right-handed pitcher Zachary Kendall committed to Bowling Green shortly after the Unsigned Senior Games. The 6-foot-2, 140 righty from the Miami Valley has a thin, lanky frame just waiting to fill out. In early August he showed a low to mid 80's fastball with some late life and a 70-73 mph breaking ball with two-plane action.

+ Marysville senior right-handed pitcher Jarod Yoakam committed to the University of Cincinnati shortly after the Unsigned Senior Games. Over the past year, Yoakam has shown development on the mound as he comes from a low 3/4 arm slot with plenty of movement to a mid to upper 80's fastball.