Senior Ryan Butler is a transfer out of Liberty University looking for opportunity and a fresh start. The Buckeyes are looking for people who throw strikes and get people out. (Press Pros File Photos)
Just days before the OSU Scarlet-Gray Fall Series, final preparation for that and winter workouts come down to the priorities of winning baseball. And no one has to guess…what priority is #1.
At the Buckeyes’ Thursday fall baseball scrimmage last week…two things stood out.
One, who are all those new faces out there – who weren’t here last year, and some who won’t be here a month from now? The cutdown date looms for NCAA baseball rosters.
The Minster Bank proudly sponsors Buckeye sports stories on Press Pros Magazine.
Two, following their elimination game at the Big Ten Tournament in Omaha last May, Bill Mosiello’s almost final official words to media as Ohio State baseball coach were, “Pitching…pitching…and more pitching”, his priority before the start of another season.
Publisher Sonny Fulks writes OHSAA sports and Ohio State baseball for Press Pros Magazine.
Mosiello, of course, is now gone. But take a look at the numbers from last spring and deduce for yourself. The issue of pitching…pitching…and more pitching is now a priority for new coach Justin Haire, and staff, as they wrap up workouts in preparation for the annual Scarlet and Gray fall series, starting in a matter of days. You can’t win if you can’t pitch.
Despite some impressive key returning position talent – Tyler Pettorini, Matt Graveline, Trey Lipsey, Nick Giamarusti, Blaine Wynk and Mason Eckelman – and the annual questions about defense and scoring runs…they have to pitch better than last year’s 6.35 ERA and a strikeout to walk ratio of 2 to 1 – 261 walks in 475 innings.
And before you read too much into the stats…hope does spring eternal. Like Brooklyn Dodgers fans famously said…”there’s always next year.” But next year is here now in college baseball culture with a collection of new arms – recruits and transfers – using fall ball to make a case for improvement on 6.35 and 261 walks.
For instance, transfer Ryan Butler (Liberty University) pitched an efficient first inning Thursday against either the scarlet team, or the gray team…we couldn’t tell. They were all wearing the same shirts.
Tanis Lange is one of eight freshman pitching recruits at fall baseball. (Press Pros File Photos)
Freshman recruit, Tanis Lange, from Waukesha (Walk-uh-shaw), Wisconsin, was equally efficient for his brief stint.
There are more, of course…lots more. But Butler and Lange are representative of the pool from which three starters and a bullpen must be decided before opening day against Arizona State in mid-February.
They, and holdover Jake Michalak (North Royalton, OH) who showed dominating ‘stuff’ in fall practice a year ago, only to struggle to find home plate in the spring, when it counts most.
“Jake’s got a big arm. His fastball moves,” says Haire, smiling. “He’s working hard, coming along.
“Ryan Butler is a transfer from Liberty [University]. Live arm, and he’s shown that he can a strike thrower. Tanis is making a good impression in fall baseball. The glass is half full…if you’re asking about pitching.”
Michalak, though, raises some eyebrows of those who’ve seen him at his best – a year ago this time, and previously, at North Royalton High School (Cleveland).
The Precision Strip Company, of Minster, supports area sports on Press Pros Magazine.com.
“I’m encouraged,” he said last week. “I’m working on some things mechanically – developing – trying to get back to the place I was before.
“T-Rob (pitching coach Tyler Robinson) has helped me. I like the new staff, and I like some of the new arms that I’m seeing [in fall baseball].”
More concerned with fixing things over talking about it, Jake Michalak may be the most significant of all the holdover arms on a pitching staff yet to be developed. His stuff is that dominant – tough to hit when he’s throwing consistent strikes with three pitches.
“The fastball, ” he acknowledges. “Slider, and I’m working a lot on the changeup. I feel good.”
And there are others…more arms than time to digest them in one helping, including Andrew Edrington, a top collegiate prospect as a senior two years ago at Cincinnati’s Princeton High School.
And, Nik Copenhaver, a yet-to-be-seen transfer from Vanderbilt, and ironically…from the same Hamilton County high school as Justin Haire – Hamilton Badin.
These are two of the new arms in fall camp, yet to be developed, but could figure prominently if, and when, they evolve from prospect to productive.
Predictions? It’s too early for that.
Glass really half full?
Sophomore Jake Michalak has a power arm and hopes to improve upon location of home plate – too many walks in 2023.
Absolutely, if for no other reason than most of the other Big Ten baseball programs have the same priority when it comes to new faces, and arms that can throw strikes and get people out.
“The portal,” Michigan State coach Jake Boss said recently, explaining the biggest unknown in 2025 college baseball. “Players come and players go. And if they’re in there they’re there for a reason.”
But none of it seems to concern Justin Haire, whose own priority seems to revolve around the right people – talent – that want to be part of the build at Ohio State University.
“He’ll get it done,” says former Bowling Green coach Danny Schmitz, for whom Haire played at BG.
“History is on his side. Nobody’s going to work harder.”
Wilson Health proudly sponsors Ohio State Buckeyes baseball on Press Pros Magazine.com.