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Mitch Milheim, LHP, Olentangy Liberty HS, Class of 2018

PBR: Why did you choose Ohio State?

Milheim: I chose Ohio State for a couple different reasons. First of all, they have an excellent engineering program which is what I plan on majoring in. Secondly, I got along well with all the coaches I met during my visit and feel like they will do a great job helping me progress into the best player I can be.

PBR: What other schools were you considering?

Milheim: I was also considering Valparaiso, Toledo, and at one point had interest in Miami.

PBR: Where did Coach Beals first see you?  How did your relationship develop with them?

Milheim: Coach Beals first saw me throw at Dublin Jerome a week after Coach Holick watched me in Cincinnati. After that Coach Stafford watched me and I visited the following week. During my visit I met all the coaches on their staff and had a good feeling that's where I wanted to play.

PBR: What are the OSU coaching staff expectations once you step on the OSU campus?

Milheim: After talking with Coach Stafford and Coach DeLucia, it was clear that they expect their pitchers to buy into their process-driven goals. Stats like record and ERA are the results of your outings and are often partially out of your control. If you focus on things like strike percentage and walks, which are always in your control, the results will take care of themselves.

PBR: Who has had the biggest impact on you as a baseball player?

Milheim: Coach Jimmy Onate has probably had the biggest impact on me as a baseball player. Getting stronger over the last two years has been a big difference maker for me and he has played a huge part in helping me accomplish that throughout high school. 

PBR:  Who do you play for in the summer and what is your most memorable experience?

Milheim: I've played with Ohio Elite for a long time but this year I played with Team Mizuno Royals. My most memorable experience was probably going to Cooperstown during the 12U season.

PBR: What were your expectations about the recruiting process?

Milheim: I knew from the beginning that if I was good enough Coach Moss and Coach Lee with the Triple Crown organization would get coaches to come watch me. For this reason I tried to focus on training during the week and the offseason to be good enough to get noticed, rather than focusing on just getting as much exposure as possible.

PBR: What were your stats last spring?

Milheim: 30 innings pitched, 20 runs, 11 ER, 20 walks, 36 Ks, and 2.5 ERA.

PBR: Who is the best hitter that you have ever faced?

Milheim: Cameron Comer in practice my freshman year.