By Mike Penn
Michigan Director of Scouting

To some Alex Wagner committing to Toledo will be somewhat of a surprise. To us it is not a surprise at all.

Wagner's stock has jumped this summer with having a good spring, summer and even better Top Prospect Games performance. Wagner threw a no-hitter early this past spring and was 15-3 with an ERA hovering around 1.00 combined between his high school and summer seasons.

To scouts Wagner has always been intriguing. The long, lanky lefty has good upside but often was overlooked because he hadn't made a big jump yet.  But the reality is, age-wise Wagner should entering his junior year in school and not his senior.

"Coach Bradford recognized that I was young for my class and really liked my upside. They saw me six or seven times this spring and summer between school, summer and PBR events."

Wagner, who has been up to 84mph, has steadily be coming into his own. He garnered interest from several schools in Ohio and in Michigan.

"I went on four or five visits.  I went to Michigan State, Wayne State, Saginaw Valley, and Toledo."

Most Michigan players have a dream to play at either Michigan or Michigan State. For Wagner it was Michigan State.

"Michigan State was always my dream school but it just seemed too far off, and I have a lot of friends who are going to Western, but Toledo came in with a good offer."

Toledo felt like the right fit the whole time.

"Coach Mee and Coach Bradford are awesome. For me they are the right fit of both being laid back and aggressive when they need to be."

With his commitment out of the way, Wagner is focused on getting better.

"Nothing is for sure when I go to Toledo. They see me as a weekend starter, and I remind them of a current starter they have.  But I know I have to make another jump."

As for for that jump Wagner referenced, he is working hard to make it happen.  He is focused on his velocity training and workouts this fall and is hoping to gain velocity. Given his age and his upside, we certainly don't doubt he will make it happen just like his dream to play Division I baseball.