Ohio State baseball coach Bob Todd announced the addition of six new student-athletes to the baseball program today. New to the team are: outfielder Joe Ciamacco (Hilliard, Ohio and Hilliard Davidson H.S.), infielder Ryan Cypret (Powell, Ohio and Olentangy Liberty H.S.), infielder Brad Hallberg (Barron, Wisc. and Barron H.S.), first baseman Zack Nowland (Delaware, Ohio and Rutherford B. Hayes H.S.), pitcher Ross Oltorik (Cincinnati and Archbishop Moeller) and outfielder Michael Stephens (Fullerton College and Victor Valley H.S., Calif.).
“We liked the potential that we saw in these players when we were recruiting them and our thoughts haven’t changed now that they are on campus going through some drills,” Todd, who is entering his 22nd season as Ohio State head coach, said.
Five of the six are currently practicing with the team. One player – Oltorik – is a first-year member of the Ohio State football team. He won’t practice with the baseball Buckeyes until the start of spring drills Feb. 1.
Fall practice will continue through Oct. 18. The best-of-five Scarlet and Gray World Series will start Monday, Oct. 13.
The 2008 Ohio State Baseball Recruits:
Joe Ciamacco
Outfield
Freshman
L-R, 5-11, 180
Hilliard, Ohio
Hilliard Davidson
A second-team all Central District and honorable mention all-Ohio Capital Conference (OCC) Buckeye Division in 2008 ... Honorable mention all-state in 2007 and 2008 as selected by the Ohio High School Coaches Association ... second-team OCC as a sophomore in 2006 ... Hit .395 with seven doubles, two triples, 30 runs, and 21 RBI with 33 stolen bases...team’s leading base stealer in 2006, 2007, 2008 and team leading run producer in 2006 and 2007... helped Davidson win 2006 Division I Ohio state football championship with a key 50-yard kickoff return and an interception in final three minutes of regulation...Davidson won title, 36-35, in double overtime to cap 15-0 season...the son of Kathy and Vince Ciamacco.
Ryan Cypret
Infielder
Freshman
R-R, 5-10, 165
Powell, Ohio
Olentangy Liberty H.S.
A four year varsity infielder and three year varsity football quarterback ... first-team all District in 2007 and two-time all-Ohio Capital Conference (OCC) Buckeye Division in both football and baseball... in three years had 83 hits, 56 runs and 48 RBI... hit .433 with 25 RBI as a senior and .414 with 25 RBI as a junior ... missed all of senior season after undergoing Tommy John surgery... an all-state and Division II district Player of the Year after passing for 1,558 yards and 17 touchdowns and rushing for 588 yards and five touchdowns as a senior ... the son of Greg and Sue Cypret.
Brad Hallberg
Infielder
Freshman
R-R, 5-10, 180
Barron, Wis.
Barron H.S.
Four year varsity infielder ... first-team all-Heart of the North Conference in 2008 ... leading hitter and pitcher during conference championships ... hit .556 with 35 hits, 10 doubles, two triples, four home runs, and no strikeouts in 2008 ... third-team Wisconsin Baseball Coaches Association all-state pick in 2008 ... second-team all-state in 2006 and was only sophomore selected to all-state first or second team ... member of WBCA Wisconsin all-star team and chosen to team Wisconsin for Midwest Baseball Classic ... a four-year varsity athlete in baseball and basketball, three-year competitor in soccer, and played one year of football ... son of Monti and Julie Hallberg.
Zack Nowland
Infielder
Freshman
R-R, 6-1, 200
Delaware, Ohio
Delaware Hayes H.S.
Four year varsity first baseman... Named Div. I first-team Mizuno all-Ohio in 2007 and 2008... named first-team all-Ohio Capital Conference (OCC) Buckeye Division in 2006, 2007, and 2008... Member of Team Ohio for the Sunbelt Classic... Hit .420 with 10 doubles, four triples, four homeruns, and 29 RBI as s senior ... team was 2007 Central District champion ... Valedictorian of his senior class ... son of Jason Nowland and Sandee Lee.
Ross Oltorik
RHP/Outfielder
Freshman
R-R, 6-1, 200
Cincinnati, Ohio
Archbishop Moeller
No. 3 rated senior in Ohio by The Buckeye Scout ... four-year varsity pitcher and designated hitter ... named an all-Greater Catholic League (GCL) outfielder in 2008 ... hit .369 with 13 extra base hits, 22 runs scored and 26 RBI ... also was 6-1 with a 2.38 ERA on the mound with 54 strikeouts in 35.1 innings ... pitched two complete games for a Moeller team that was 25-6 and finished seventh in the final 2008 Ohio state poll and made the Division I state tournament ... named first-team all-GCL as a junior after batting .385 with 22 RBI, ... 2-2 with a 1.79 ERA as a junior ... hit .453 as a sophomore and was 5-0 with a 2.75 ERA ... named honorable mention all-GCL in 2006 ... a member of the 2008 Ohio State football team (quarterback) ... son of Shelley and Dennis Oltorik.
Michael Stephens
Outfielder
Junior
R-R, 6-1, 205
Victorville, Calif.
Fullerton College
Junior College transfer from Fullerton (Calif.) College...2008 all-American... Hit .426 with 72 hits, 46 RBI, five homeruns, and 17 doubles as a sophomore in 2008 ... named first-team all-Orange Empire Conference in 2008 ... hit .289 with 25 RBI and eight stolen bases as a freshman at Fullerton ... four-year starter in high school for the Victor Valley Jack Rabbits.... 2005 and 2006 all-area and member of the Dodger Elite Team in 2005... Desert Sky League Champions in 2003, 2005, and 2006 ... son of Mark and Lisa Stephens.
Six new Baseball Bucks
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Thursday, September 11, 2008
2008 Fall Practice
I know everyone out there is starting to become impatient and want to know what exactly is going on, who the incoming Freshman are, any surprises as to who is or is not in camp. I can assure you Todd and I feel the same way.
I have been told practices are open to the public, unfortunately I have not received any other information from the Department of Athletics regarding the baseball program. I have sent a few e-mails out, but nothing yet. Hopefully they are working on putting something together.
In the meantime, instead of posting information for you, how about you, the readers, post. What are your thoughts going into the Autumn? Players you would like to see step up? Expectations? Buckeyes you feel might surprise us?
Not to turn this into a message board, but you guys deserve a chance to speak out and be heard, as well as toss around informative opinions. I'll keep poking and prodding to get some info on the team, and might sneak over to a practice myself.
I have been told practices are open to the public, unfortunately I have not received any other information from the Department of Athletics regarding the baseball program. I have sent a few e-mails out, but nothing yet. Hopefully they are working on putting something together.
In the meantime, instead of posting information for you, how about you, the readers, post. What are your thoughts going into the Autumn? Players you would like to see step up? Expectations? Buckeyes you feel might surprise us?
Not to turn this into a message board, but you guys deserve a chance to speak out and be heard, as well as toss around informative opinions. I'll keep poking and prodding to get some info on the team, and might sneak over to a practice myself.
Sunday, September 7, 2008
Indians Recall Former Buckeye Lefty Scott Lewis
I just got this release from Cleveland PR ... the Cleveland Indians today announced the club has recalled left-handed Scott Lewis from the AA Akron Aeros.
Lewis, 24, began the 2008 season in extended spring training recovering from a strained left lat muscle suffered during spring training. He was then transferred to AA Akron on June 6 where he went 6-2 with a 2.33 ERA (73.1IP, 62H, 22R/19ER, 9BB, 61K) in 13 starts for the Aeros. He was promoted to AAA Buffalo on August 14 and went 2-2 with a 2.63 ERA (24.0IP, 19H, 8R/7ER, 4BB, 21K) in 4 starts at Buffalo . Combined during the regular season at AA Akron and AAA Buffalo he was 8-4 with a 2.40 ERA (97.1IP, 81H, 30R/26ER, 13BB, 82K) in 17 starts.
The Indians 3rd round selection (77th overall) in 2004 from Ohio State University, Lewis was transferred back to AA Akron following the conclusion of the Bisons season and added to Akron’s playoff roster. He started game 1 of the AA Eastern League playoffs on September 3 vs. Bowie and did not receive a decision in Akron ’s 6-5 victory (5.2IP, 7H, 3R/ER, BB, 3K). He will be making his Major League debut and will wear #46.
The Tribe plays at Kansas City today and then heads to Baltimore for four games beginning Monday. Lewis and the Indians return to Progressive Field on Friday for a nine-game homestand (vs. Kansas City, Minnesota and Detroit), the final home games of the season.
Lewis, 24, began the 2008 season in extended spring training recovering from a strained left lat muscle suffered during spring training. He was then transferred to AA Akron on June 6 where he went 6-2 with a 2.33 ERA (73.1IP, 62H, 22R/19ER, 9BB, 61K) in 13 starts for the Aeros. He was promoted to AAA Buffalo on August 14 and went 2-2 with a 2.63 ERA (24.0IP, 19H, 8R/7ER, 4BB, 21K) in 4 starts at Buffalo . Combined during the regular season at AA Akron and AAA Buffalo he was 8-4 with a 2.40 ERA (97.1IP, 81H, 30R/26ER, 13BB, 82K) in 17 starts.
The Indians 3rd round selection (77th overall) in 2004 from Ohio State University, Lewis was transferred back to AA Akron following the conclusion of the Bisons season and added to Akron’s playoff roster. He started game 1 of the AA Eastern League playoffs on September 3 vs. Bowie and did not receive a decision in Akron ’s 6-5 victory (5.2IP, 7H, 3R/ER, BB, 3K). He will be making his Major League debut and will wear #46.
The Tribe plays at Kansas City today and then heads to Baltimore for four games beginning Monday. Lewis and the Indians return to Progressive Field on Friday for a nine-game homestand (vs. Kansas City, Minnesota and Detroit), the final home games of the season.
Wednesday, September 3, 2008
Two Baseball Buckeyes set to enter the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame this weekend
The Ohio State Varsity “O” Association will induct 12 members into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame this weekend of Sept. 5-6, two of which come from the baseball program. An elite catcher from 50 years ago enters as John Edwards from the 1958 season is inducted in. Joining him is current Coach Bob Todd who is no stranger to awards and honors, making this his second induction into a Hall of Fame this year.
John Edwards was a stand-out catcher for the baseball team in 1958. That season, he made only three errors behind the plate, compiling a fielding percentage of .973. Edwards also led the team in hits with 24. He went on to have a successful 14-year career in the major leagues, where he was a three-time All-Star (1963-65) and two-time Gold Glove winner (1963-64) at catcher. Edwards competed in two World Series, 1961 with the Cincinnati Reds and 1968 with the St. Louis Cardinals. The 1969 season with the Houston Astros was Edwards’ best as he garnered votes for the National League MVP award.
Bob Todd has been the head coach of the Ohio State baseball team since 1988. In his 21 seasons at the helm, Todd has won 831 games, the most in school history, and he has led the team to 14 Big Ten Conference regular season or tournament championships. In January of 2009, he will be inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Ohio State has won six Big Ten regular season championships under Todd and eight Big Ten tournaments. He has led the program to 12 NCAA regional appearances (1991-95, 1997, 1999, 2001-03, 2005, 2007). He has coached Ohio State teams to 30 or more wins every season and his teams have made 20 of 21 Big Ten tournaments, including a Big Ten record 12 consecutive tournament appearances from 1997-2008. Todd guided the Buckeyes to two regional championships and appearances in super regionals in 1999 and 2003. The program won a school-record 52 games in 1991 and his teams have never had a losing season, winning 40 or more games 10 times. Todd is one of only two conference coaches to win more than 300 Big Ten games and he is 395-229 (.633) in Big Ten Conference play. Todd has been named Big Ten Coach of the Year four times (1989, ’94, ’99, and ’01), the most of any Big Ten coach. He was nominated for national coach of the year honors in 1991, ’94, ’99 and ’03 and was chosen National Coach of the Year in 1994 by the Columbus Touchdown Club. In 1994 and ’01, Todd was an assistant coach for Team USA.
2008 Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame Class
John Edwards was a stand-out catcher for the baseball team in 1958. That season, he made only three errors behind the plate, compiling a fielding percentage of .973. Edwards also led the team in hits with 24. He went on to have a successful 14-year career in the major leagues, where he was a three-time All-Star (1963-65) and two-time Gold Glove winner (1963-64) at catcher. Edwards competed in two World Series, 1961 with the Cincinnati Reds and 1968 with the St. Louis Cardinals. The 1969 season with the Houston Astros was Edwards’ best as he garnered votes for the National League MVP award.
Bob Todd has been the head coach of the Ohio State baseball team since 1988. In his 21 seasons at the helm, Todd has won 831 games, the most in school history, and he has led the team to 14 Big Ten Conference regular season or tournament championships. In January of 2009, he will be inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame. Ohio State has won six Big Ten regular season championships under Todd and eight Big Ten tournaments. He has led the program to 12 NCAA regional appearances (1991-95, 1997, 1999, 2001-03, 2005, 2007). He has coached Ohio State teams to 30 or more wins every season and his teams have made 20 of 21 Big Ten tournaments, including a Big Ten record 12 consecutive tournament appearances from 1997-2008. Todd guided the Buckeyes to two regional championships and appearances in super regionals in 1999 and 2003. The program won a school-record 52 games in 1991 and his teams have never had a losing season, winning 40 or more games 10 times. Todd is one of only two conference coaches to win more than 300 Big Ten games and he is 395-229 (.633) in Big Ten Conference play. Todd has been named Big Ten Coach of the Year four times (1989, ’94, ’99, and ’01), the most of any Big Ten coach. He was nominated for national coach of the year honors in 1991, ’94, ’99 and ’03 and was chosen National Coach of the Year in 1994 by the Columbus Touchdown Club. In 1994 and ’01, Todd was an assistant coach for Team USA.
2008 Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame Class
Tuesday, September 2, 2008
Buckeyes in the Minors, Part 2
I must apologize for the extreme delay in getting this up. Did not anticipate a day would take a month, but life tends to throw curveballs, it is on us to be patient enough to drive it the other way. As we continue...
The minor league baseball regular seasons across America are now wrapping, if not already over. Though there is postseason action to be played throughout the 20 minor leagues, we can look back on this past season and see how a few more former Buckeyes played.
I left off with the 2007 draft class trio of Angle, Fryer, Luebke. Going back a year to 2006 we have two Buckeye infielders that were drafted. 3B Ronnie Bourquin in the round 2 by the Detroit Tigers, and SS Jedidiah Stephen, drafted in the 8th round by the Balitmore Orioles.
3B Ron Bourquin- The former hot corner All American spent the 2008 campaign with just one team in one league, this after playing in SS-A and Advanced A in 2007. Splitting the difference of last year, playing as a West Michigan Whitecaps in A ball action, Bourquin joined Luebke as the second former Buck in the Midwest League.
Though he posted a .235 BA, he did have a .339 on-base percentage with 25 extra base hits, that helped keep him in the lineup for 118 games. Bourquin played well in the second half of the season, in which he hit .269, and had a OBP/SLG/OPS line of .361/.358/.720, compared to .315/.269/.584.
SS Jedidiah Stephen-As did Ron, Jed spent the 2007 season in SS-A and Advanced A. This season however took a different path for Stephen, culminating being teammates again with another Buckeye alum. The Orioles as an organization felt it was in the best interest of both the team and player to keep Stephen in extended spring training to start the season. Though he wasn't required to learn a new position during his stay as Fryer was, Stephen worked on refining he swing and becoming a complete player.
Starting the 2008 season as an Aberdeen IronBird of the New York-Penn League, Jed provided a bit of power. In his 46 games in the NYPL, Stephen hit 8 Home Runs, and 9 Doubles to post a .445 Slugging Percentage. Though his strikeouts were a bit high, 55 in 173 AB's, the O's felt Stephen could handle a promotion for the last end of the season, and moved him up to the South Atlantic League, joining Matt Angle in the Delmarva Shorebirds' lineup. In his 7 games as a Shorebird, Stephen went 1-for-25, with 13 strikeouts to 1 walk.
Coming off of a 2005 Big Ten Tournament championship, and a trip to the Corvallis Regional, Mike Madsen was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 21st round. Former pitcher Trent Luyster was also drafted in 2005, by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 30th round, but Trent did not pitch this year in the minors.
P Mike Madsen-After pitching during MLB's All Star Weekend in 2007, as a player in the Futures Game, Madsen and the A's had high expectations for the 2008 season. Starting the season with the Midland RockHounds as a Texas Leaguer, Madsen was showing he had no trouble with AA hitters. In 2 starts spanning 12 innings, Madsen allowed just 3 earned runs on 7 hits and 3 BB's, posting a 2.25 ERA.
Unfortunately those 2 starts would be the only starts Madsen had this year with the RockHounds. An arm injury sidelined him for 2 months, before returning in rookie ball with the Athletics Arizona League in July. Playing with the AZL A's was step 1 in rehab process in returning to the mound, tough luck would have that the start would also be the end. Only able to throw just 1 inning before having the discomfort return, the A's decided to shut Madsen down for the year.
With 8 former players down and just 5 more professional ex-Bucks to go, tomorrow I'll recap the seasons of the 2002-2004 draft classes which saw the following Ohio State products drafted:
2004 Scott Lewis Cleveland Indians (3rd)
2004 Drew Anderson Cincinnati Reds (13th)
2004 Josh Newman Colorado Rockies (19th)
2003 Matt Davis Cleveland Indians (7th)
2002 Doug Deeds Minnesota Twins (9th)
2002 Nick Swisher Oakland Athletics (1st)
Updating the last post, Eric Fryer was name a South Atlantic League post-season All Star. Fryer finished the season winning the batting title, hitting a robust .335 in Sally League play. Also making an All Star team was JB Shuck, playing in the NYPL All Star game. Congrats to Eric and JB.
Hopefully by the end of the week we'll have a bit of information regarding the current Buckeyes as they start to return to campus and enter fall ball.
The minor league baseball regular seasons across America are now wrapping, if not already over. Though there is postseason action to be played throughout the 20 minor leagues, we can look back on this past season and see how a few more former Buckeyes played.
I left off with the 2007 draft class trio of Angle, Fryer, Luebke. Going back a year to 2006 we have two Buckeye infielders that were drafted. 3B Ronnie Bourquin in the round 2 by the Detroit Tigers, and SS Jedidiah Stephen, drafted in the 8th round by the Balitmore Orioles.
3B Ron Bourquin- The former hot corner All American spent the 2008 campaign with just one team in one league, this after playing in SS-A and Advanced A in 2007. Splitting the difference of last year, playing as a West Michigan Whitecaps in A ball action, Bourquin joined Luebke as the second former Buck in the Midwest League.
Though he posted a .235 BA, he did have a .339 on-base percentage with 25 extra base hits, that helped keep him in the lineup for 118 games. Bourquin played well in the second half of the season, in which he hit .269, and had a OBP/SLG/OPS line of .361/.358/.720, compared to .315/.269/.584.
SS Jedidiah Stephen-As did Ron, Jed spent the 2007 season in SS-A and Advanced A. This season however took a different path for Stephen, culminating being teammates again with another Buckeye alum. The Orioles as an organization felt it was in the best interest of both the team and player to keep Stephen in extended spring training to start the season. Though he wasn't required to learn a new position during his stay as Fryer was, Stephen worked on refining he swing and becoming a complete player.
Starting the 2008 season as an Aberdeen IronBird of the New York-Penn League, Jed provided a bit of power. In his 46 games in the NYPL, Stephen hit 8 Home Runs, and 9 Doubles to post a .445 Slugging Percentage. Though his strikeouts were a bit high, 55 in 173 AB's, the O's felt Stephen could handle a promotion for the last end of the season, and moved him up to the South Atlantic League, joining Matt Angle in the Delmarva Shorebirds' lineup. In his 7 games as a Shorebird, Stephen went 1-for-25, with 13 strikeouts to 1 walk.
Coming off of a 2005 Big Ten Tournament championship, and a trip to the Corvallis Regional, Mike Madsen was drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the 21st round. Former pitcher Trent Luyster was also drafted in 2005, by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 30th round, but Trent did not pitch this year in the minors.
P Mike Madsen-After pitching during MLB's All Star Weekend in 2007, as a player in the Futures Game, Madsen and the A's had high expectations for the 2008 season. Starting the season with the Midland RockHounds as a Texas Leaguer, Madsen was showing he had no trouble with AA hitters. In 2 starts spanning 12 innings, Madsen allowed just 3 earned runs on 7 hits and 3 BB's, posting a 2.25 ERA.
Unfortunately those 2 starts would be the only starts Madsen had this year with the RockHounds. An arm injury sidelined him for 2 months, before returning in rookie ball with the Athletics Arizona League in July. Playing with the AZL A's was step 1 in rehab process in returning to the mound, tough luck would have that the start would also be the end. Only able to throw just 1 inning before having the discomfort return, the A's decided to shut Madsen down for the year.
With 8 former players down and just 5 more professional ex-Bucks to go, tomorrow I'll recap the seasons of the 2002-2004 draft classes which saw the following Ohio State products drafted:
2004 Scott Lewis Cleveland Indians (3rd)
2004 Drew Anderson Cincinnati Reds (13th)
2004 Josh Newman Colorado Rockies (19th)
2003 Matt Davis Cleveland Indians (7th)
2002 Doug Deeds Minnesota Twins (9th)
2002 Nick Swisher Oakland Athletics (1st)
Updating the last post, Eric Fryer was name a South Atlantic League post-season All Star. Fryer finished the season winning the batting title, hitting a robust .335 in Sally League play. Also making an All Star team was JB Shuck, playing in the NYPL All Star game. Congrats to Eric and JB.
Hopefully by the end of the week we'll have a bit of information regarding the current Buckeyes as they start to return to campus and enter fall ball.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)