By: Brian Lavrich (Sun News via Cleveland.com) –

Tim Wetzel is realizing his lifelong dream of becoming a Buckeye. The Mayfield center fielder has orally committed to playing for Ohio State University following his senior year.

“I’ve wanted to go to Ohio State ever since I started playing ball,” Wetzel said. “Especially coming from northeast Ohio. People are always telling me they (Ohio State) doesn’t recruit up here, you have to go down south. I have to give a lot of credit to coach (Don) Ramer.”

Ramer, Mayfield’s coach, knows the coaches at Ohio State because Buckeye head coach Bob Todd along with assistant coach Greg Cypret coached Ramer when he was a player at Kent State University.

“Coach Todd and Cypret were my coaches at Kent State,” Ramer said. “I told them one of these days, I was going to get them a player at Ohio State. I told them about Tim as a freshman. He’s different.”

Different is good.

Wetzel set school records in stolen bases with 28 and triples with six during his junior year. He stole 28 bases in 29 attempts. Wetzel also hit .412 with three homers and 26 RBIs. He had a .554 on-base percentage and scored 29 runs.

That doesn’t mention being one of the best center fielders in northeast Ohio.

“I told them, ‘You have to see this kid,’” Ramer said.

Ramer said the Ohio State coaches have compared Wetzel to Jim Edmonds in the outfield.

“It’s pretty exciting,” Ramer said.

And one benefit for Wetzel is the Buckeyes graduate their entire starting outfield from this past season.

“Coach Todd told me he’s never given out a scholarship to a kid he was going to redshirt,” Wetzel said. “I have a chance to play, but I’m going to have to work hard.

“Hopefully I play center field because that’s the position I prefer, but any spot I’ll gladly take.”

One of the many things that Wetzel likes about the Buckeyes is winning. Ohio State went 42-19 this past season and qualified for the College World Series. They went 18-6 and won the Big Ten as well.

“I think that’s phenomenal,” Wetzel said. “Winning is important to them and to me too. You don’t want to play for a losing team, that’s not fun.

“They win the Big Ten year in and year out. I’m excited to start playing ball.”

Ramer said there’s a lot to like about Wetzel.

“He has a different aura about him,” Ramer said. “He’s a very intelligent baseball player and he’s very coachable. He makes plays in the outfield that normal kids don’t make. He does everything that needs to be done.

“He’s a five-tool player. He has tremendous speed so he plays a position that’s well suited for him. I like him in the three spot so if the first two guys get out, he can get on and steal second. He has a good arm, good speed and good power.”

Wetzel added that he’s glad the recruiting process is out of the way.

“It helps a lot so now I can focus on football,” Wetzel said. “I don’t have any more visits. I can just relax my senior year.”

Wetzel led the football Wildcats in rushing last year with 1,551 yards and 15 touchdowns as Mayfield reached the second round of the playoffs.

Wetzel is the third Wildcat to get a Division I baseball scholarship over the past two years. Tyler Begun will attend the University of Akron and Andrew Revello will pitch for St. Bonaventure University next spring. Also, Ethan Santora broke the single-season home run record as a freshman at Mercyhurst College.

Lee Longo is the fifth slugger who will be a senior this year at Mayfield and is still weighing offers from different colleges.

“I knew looking back when these kids were freshmen and sophomores, that they could really play,” Ramer said. “I saw the talent level. I knew they could make an impact on the varsity (as freshmen). They’re tremendous baseball players. It’s been a great time at Mayfield.”

Wetzel was also proud of that fact.

“I think it’s really cool,” Wetzel said. “There’s a misunderstanding that you have to go to St. Ed’s, Ignatius or a private school to get a scholarship. If you prove you’re good, they’ll find you. Coach Ramer knows people and I think Mayfield has been as good as anyone else.”

Wetzel added that he plans on majoring in either pharmacy or anesthesiology.

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