Six Recruits Join Ohio States Team

[buckeyemania11]

Baseball: Six Recruits Join Ohio State?s Team - The Ohio State Buckeyes Official Athletics Site - OhioStateBuckeyes.com

COLUMBUS, Ohio ? 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.

[JCOSU86]

I've been wanting to comment on this for awhile, but have held back.

There are too many Central Ohio kids in there. No southerners and only 1 Californian. The Buckeyes are not going to the next level until they recruit nationally. Nothing against our kids in Columbus, but we aren't exactly the hotbed of HS baseball talent.

[brodybuck21]

Originally Posted by JCOSU86

I've been wanting to comment on this for awhile, but have held back.

There are too many Central Ohio kids in there. No southerners and only 1 Californian. The Buckeyes are not going to the next level until they recruit nationally. Nothing against our kids in Columbus, but we aren't exactly the hotbed of HS baseball talent.

couldnt agree more and it's very frustrating since im a huge baseball fan

[OSUChinMusic]

I don't believe that any of you are very informed about these issues as they pertain to Division 1 baseball. This isn't football and there are not 85 scholarships available to scatter around the country to intice these "southerners" to come play in the snow. There are 11.7 scholarships total for the entire roster, and now there is a 35 player limit on all rosters that took effect this year. Most of these kids, from Ohio or PA, are all-state and just as talented as many of the "southerners", but have to battle the weather etc. and do not play year round. Todd has to take these kids with the same ability, and get them ready INDOORS, to play a national schedule starting in February. So how many of you would send your kids to OSU from Florida or Texas with just that in mind, just so they could get an Ohio State degree?

Todd has done a tremendous job, based on everything involved, gotten a national start date in place, not what he wanted, but better. Won championships and made Ohio State baseball recognized nationally in several different ways, including having these "local" players drafted into the pros. Yes there are "local" players on the roster, many who would have come to Ohio State becasue they grew up wanting nothing more than to be a Buckeye, and many have had tremendous success. Or do all of you forget the kids that were just drafted in the past couple years. Fryer - local, DeLucia - local, Angle - local, Shuck (marion)- local. I could go on and on. All local kids, and do you think they were drafted by professional baseball team because they were anything other than GOOD ENOUGH?????

There is a lot of talent in Ohio and Todd tradionally gets the best available, then molds it, albeit his way, and gets a final product that is attractive to professional baseball teams. Seems like all of you have so much to complain about.

Why do all of you plop in the video tape of the OSU - Southern Cal football game and gripe about something tangible. Other than that, come out to Bill Davis and watch some trerrific college baseball and cheer for these "local" kids.

[LitlBuck]

Originally Posted by OSUChinMusic

There is a lot of talent in Ohio and Todd tradionally gets the best available, then molds it, albeit his way, and gets a final product that is attractive to professional baseball teams. Seems like all of you have so much to complain about.

Why do all of you plop in the video tape of the OSU - Southern Cal football game and gripe about something tangible. Other than that, come out to Bill Davis and watch some trerrific college baseball and cheer for these "local" kids.

You are correct there is a lot of baseball talent in Ohio and so why does Coach Todd just seem to center on the guys from the local Columbus area. The baseball facilities at Ohio State are second to none in the Big 10 and that should help getting more Ohio talent or even talent from states that are north of the Mason-Dixon. I I would think with our facilities and the support that Todd has gotten from the athletic department then he could win a few more Big 10 championships. I really don't care how many guys he sends to the major leagues because that is not his purpose at Ohio State. He needs to go out and do some serious selling of the baseball facilities at Ohio State and bring in some good recruits.

I have no idea what watching the OSU/USC game on "tape" in November has to do with the lack of Todd getting his butt on the recruiting trail.

[JCOSU86]

Originally Posted by OSUChinMusic

I don't believe that any of you are very informed about these issues as they pertain to Division 1 baseball. This isn't football and there are not 85 scholarships available to scatter around the country to intice these "southerners" to come play in the snow. There are 11.7 scholarships total for the entire roster, and now there is a 35 player limit on all rosters that took effect this year. Most of these kids, from Ohio or PA, are all-state and just as talented as many of the "southerners", but have to battle the weather etc. and do not play year round. Todd has to take these kids with the same ability, and get them ready INDOORS, to play a national schedule starting in February. So how many of you would send your kids to OSU from Florida or Texas with just that in mind, just so they could get an Ohio State degree?

Todd has done a tremendous job, based on everything involved, gotten a national start date in place, not what he wanted, but better. Won championships and made Ohio State baseball recognized nationally in several different ways, including having these "local" players drafted into the pros. Yes there are "local" players on the roster, many who would have come to Ohio State becasue they grew up wanting nothing more than to be a Buckeye, and many have had tremendous success. Or do all of you forget the kids that were just drafted in the past couple years. Fryer - local, DeLucia - local, Angle - local, Shuck (marion)- local. I could go on and on. All local kids, and do you think they were drafted by professional baseball team because they were anything other than GOOD ENOUGH?????

There is a lot of talent in Ohio and Todd tradionally gets the best available, then molds it, albeit his way, and gets a final product that is attractive to professional baseball teams. Seems like all of you have so much to complain about.

Why do all of you plop in the video tape of the OSU - Southern Cal football game and gripe about something tangible. Other than that, come out to Bill Davis and watch some trerrific college baseball and cheer for these "local" kids.

I disagree with this post on several points.

1. Just because they are local and have wanted to be Buckeyes their whole life, doesn't mean they should be. OSU needs the very best. Locals are fine, but to get to the next level they need to be great.

2. Baseball in the snow. Well, what can I say about this? Kind of like getting Florida guys to come up and play football?

3. Todd hasn't gotten lax in the last few years and it has shown on the field. They must get out of Franklin County in recruiting. Getting the best recruits out of Ohio is great, but he isn't getting them.

4. Don't judge on the number of players that have been drafted in MLB. There is what, 50 rounds? I don't know but it is a hell of a lot.

5. I will ALWAYS root for Ohio State baseball, but sitting by quietly and not expecting the best is not doing the program any favors.

[DontHateOState]

Originally Posted by JCOSU86

I disagree with this post on several points.

1. Just because they are local and have wanted to be Buckeyes their whole life, doesn't mean they should be. OSU needs the very best. Locals are fine, but to get to the next level they need to be great.

2. Baseball in the snow. Well, what can I say about this? Kind of like getting Florida guys to come up and play football?

3. Todd hasn't gotten lax in the last few years and it has shown on the field. They must get out of Franklin County in recruiting. Getting the best recruits out of Ohio is great, but he isn't getting them.

4. Don't judge on the number of players that have been drafted in MLB. There is what, 50 rounds? I don't know but it is a hell of a lot.

5. I will ALWAYS root for Ohio State baseball, but sitting by quietly and not expecting the best is not doing the program any favors.

1. The great talent is being drafted into the league out of high school.

2. Baseball in the snow is a hell of a lot different than football. Baseball isn't meant for three inches of snow on the ground and 30 degree days.

3. I agree.

4. Don't really understand this argument.

5. The program is never going to be a Florida or Cal. We should be swinging for best in the Big Ten, though.

[MUBuck]

Originally Posted by OSUChinMusic

Fryer - local, DeLucia - local, Angle - local, Shuck (marion)- local.

JB is from Galion, champ.

[LitlBuck]

Originally Posted by DontHateOState

1. The great talent is being drafted into the league out of high school.

There are quite a few high school baseball players who are pretty good and if drafted need to be sold by the college baseball coach that an education can be pretty valuable. Not all of those kids drafted get a ton of money. The best high school baseball player out of Cleveland is going to Georgia Tech and he was either a 1st or 2nd round draft pick.

2. Baseball in the snow is a hell of a lot different than football. Baseball isn't meant for three inches of snow on the ground and 30 degree days.

Again, you have to sell the kid on the program and you don't always have to get kids from the warm weather states. There are plenty of states that border Ohio where there is good high school baseball played. How does Minnesota and UM get so many good players?

3. I agree.

I differ. I think he has gotten a little lazy when it comes to recruiting.

4. Don't really understand this argument.

As I stated above, there are so many rounds in the MLB draft you have to so kids on the college program. Not all of these kids that are drafted are ever going to make it to the major leagues and you have to sell a college education.

5. The program is never going to be a Florida or Cal. We should be swinging for best in the Big Ten, though.

Bad example. I think you might mean Texas or LSU or even the Carolinas and Georgia. Maybe Florida State was certainly not Florida or Cal.

Todd needs to get off of his butt and sell the program. He is living on laurels that are 10 years old or more.

[JCOSU86]

Originally Posted by DontHateOState

1. The great talent is being drafted into the league out of high school.

2. Baseball in the snow is a hell of a lot different than football. Baseball isn't meant for three inches of snow on the ground and 30 degree days.

3. I agree.

4. Don't really understand this argument.

5. The program is never going to be a Florida or Cal. We should be swinging for best in the Big Ten, though.

2. They won't play baseball in the snow. Even in Columbus.

4. With 40/50/whatever rounds in the draft, is getting drafted all that big of a deal?

[OSUChinMusic]

Those who do, do. those who can't, sit back and criticize. You don't root for the Ohio State Baseball team, you sit back and wonder why they don't win the world series and then look to find somebody to blame. Everybody's not good enough. We want better kids. Like the minute you find a kid from Texas, well he must be better than anybody we have because of his address. You're all a joke. Who made any of you an expert in judging baseball talent? Nobody. Who made any of you a college baseball coach, recruiter, scout? Nobody. And what of the kid's character? You would have a bunch like the basketball team had 10 years ago, and overlook the team crimewave?? Sure, as long as they win baseball games.

There are some pretty talented and special kids, that work their as* off, not to please any of you, but to represent Ohio State and be role models for the kids who look up to them. And I bet that any one of you would watch a "local kid" sign with another school and then change your argument from "he recruits all local kids" (which isnt true), to "he can't keep the local kids here". There is no pleasing some people, so go about your business. You give to a community as much as Todd and his staff has given and it still isn't enough. I'm done with you.

And yes we do play in snow. 3 times in the past 2 years, to be exact the game weather report was "flurries". And I sat in them, so don't tell me we don't play in snow.

And my gawd. Is getting drafted into the pros a big deal? Not to you obviously because you certainly weren't, but yes it is a big deal.

And OK Shuck - Galion. Marion. That was Luebke. Close enough, its local. Or was that 1st round draft choice a bad recruiting move by Todd too? Oh yea Swisher lived in Worthington. Way too close, Todd should have never had him on the team. Go get some surfer from California or Florida, gotta be better than Swisher, he's just some local kid.

Ok now I'm done. Like I said, you can't please some people no matter what.

[JCOSU86]

Originally Posted by OSUChinMusic

Those who do, do. those who can't, sit back and criticize. You don't root for the Ohio State Baseball team, you sit back and wonder why they don't win the world series and then look to find somebody to blame. Everybody's not good enough. We want better kids. Like the minute you find a kid from Texas, well he must be better than anybody we have because of his address. You're all a joke. Who made any of you an expert in judging baseball talent? Nobody. Who made any of you a college baseball coach, recruiter, scout? Nobody. And what of the kid's character? You would have a bunch like the basketball team had 10 years ago, and overlook the team crimewave?? Sure, as long as they win baseball games.

There are some pretty talented and special kids, that work their as* off, not to please any of you, but to represent Ohio State and be role models for the kids who look up to them. And I bet that any one of you would watch a "local kid" sign with another school and then change your argument from "he recruits all local kids" (which isnt true), to "he can't keep the local kids here". There is no pleasing some people, so go about your business. You give to a community as much as Todd and his staff has given and it still isn't enough. I'm done with you.

And yes we do play in snow. 3 times in the past 2 years, to be exact the game weather report was "flurries". And I sat in them, so don't tell me we don't play in snow.

And my gawd. Is getting drafted into the pros a big deal? Not to you obviously because you certainly weren't, but yes it is a big deal.

And OK Shuck - Galion. Marion. That was Luebke. Close enough, its local. Or was that 1st round draft choice a bad recruiting move by Todd too? Oh yea Swisher lived in Worthington. Way too close, Todd should have never had him on the team. Go get some surfer from California or Florida, gotta be better than Swisher, he's just some local kid.

Ok now I'm done. Like I said, you can't please some people no matter what.

And those who can't discuss rationally, attack.

This is an unacceptable response. Feel free to find another site that isn't full of whiners. I suggest Bucknuts.

[CleveBucks]

Swisher was from Parkersburg WV.

Todd's biggest problem, as has already been mentioned here, is that he goes after a few kids from Franklin County, a few from D4 in small-town Ohio, and occasionally a kid from Cincinnati or out of state. Seems like every year half the class is from Central Ohio. Would it kill him to even go up to the Cleveland area? There's some good programs up there that put out kids left and right. Ignatius, Walsh, Ed's, etc. If they're good enough for Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Notre Dame, Louisville, Coastal Carolina, NC State, Birmingham Southern, and Oklahoma State (and heck, half the MAC, because OSU is on par with the upper MAC schools lately) then they're good enough for Bob Todd to try and give them a look if he can be bothered away from his gardening and yearly trips to Hawaii.

Sure, he will hit on some good Ohio players but he's missing on a lot more, while plenty of talented kids that couldn't get a whiff are heading off to better programs in and out of state.

[JCOSU86]

Originally Posted by CleveBucks

Swisher was from Parkersburg WV.

Todd's biggest problem, as has already been mentioned here, is that he goes after a few kids from Franklin County, a few from D4 in small-town Ohio, and occasionally a kid from Cincinnati or out of state. Seems like every year half the class is from Central Ohio. Would it kill him to even go up to the Cleveland area? There's some good programs up there that put out kids left and right. Ignatius, Walsh, Ed's, etc. If they're good enough for Georgia Tech, Vanderbilt, Virginia, Notre Dame, Louisville, Coastal Carolina, NC State, Birmingham Southern, and Oklahoma State (and heck, half the MAC, because OSU is on par with the upper MAC schools lately) then they're good enough for Bob Todd to try and give them a look if he can be bothered away from his gardening and yearly trips to Hawaii.

Sure, he will hit on some good Ohio players but he's missing on a lot more, while plenty of talented kids that couldn't get a whiff are heading off to better programs in and out of state.

Well said. Thank you.

[buckeyemania11]

4. With 40/50/whatever rounds in the draft, is getting drafted all that big of a deal?

1,504 players were drafted in the 2008 MLB Draft

50 rounds + the 2 compensation rounds