Koelling Commits To 'Dream School' Ohio State

MASON - Ohio State “has always been my dream school” according to Alex Koelling.

When a new coaching staff assumed control of the baseball program at the Big 10 university this summer, that dream became a reality for the Mason junior.

“I like his hitting philosophy and I like the other coaches there,” Koelling said of Bill Mosiello and his staff, which took over the program back in mid-June. “I went on a visit and fell in love with it.”

Interest from Ohio State initiated at the Future Games at the beginning of August.

“That was an amazing experience,” the fifth-rated 2024 shortstop in Ohio said of the PBR event at Lake Pointe, Ga. “I talked with several schools at the Future Games and a month after Ohio State was talking to me.”

A visit to Florida Atlantic while down south and a visit to Ohio University highlighted the recruiting process for the 6-1 165-pounder, who was also talking with Tulane and a few other Power 5 schools before deciding that Ohio State was the right fit.

“They asked me to go to the Wisconsin football game and while I was there checked out the facilities,” reflected Koelling, who was offered on the visit. “I was on the phone with them for the next month after that and made my decision. I couldn’t turn it down.”

Ohio State sees a lot of upside in the 16-year-old, who has seen time on the field at third base, second base and outfield in addition to shortstop.

“Coach Mosiello likes me a lot,” Koelling pointed out. “He likes that I’m a left-handed hitter and he likes to stack his lineup with left-handed hitters.”

The idea of playing college baseball began at age seven or eight according to the 24th-rated junior in the state.

“When I started playing travel ball is when I fell in love with the game and wanted to play it at the next level,” Koelling related. “The goal is the Major Leagues, but there’s a lot of work to do first.”

The journey has been enjoyable so far.

“It all started at the Miami PBR Showcase,” Koelling noted about the Prospect Games back in June of 2021. “After that I ended up playing for Bo Jackson. Cory Valentine helped me a lot there and Jordan (Chiero, Ohio PBR Director of Scouting) also helped a lot. I went to the Procase and had a good summer, but the recruiting process wasn’t hot in the summer until the Future Games. After that schools that hadn’t talked to me were interested and it went from there.”

An improved game proved beneficial in making it all happen, with Koelling pointing to getting stronger and faster as vital while bettering his abilities.

“Definitely being in the cages helped a lot with getting my swing improved,” Koelling explained. “Now I’m able to make adjustments in-game in the box.”

Two people have proven to be major influences in helping get where he is now.
“Curt Bly, Mason’s head coach, is one of my favorite coaches ever,” Koelling said. “Kyle Weldon has also been my hitting coach forever. I’m grateful for him and the good staff at Mason.”

Koelling is also thankful to be a Buckeye.

“When I committed it was really exciting,” Koelling related. “Honestly, on that one day there were so many people that came up and congratulated me and congratulated my family. It was great to have it happen.”

Plans are to major in sport marketing or business at Ohio State, which is located an hour and 15 minutes from his home in Mason.

“I’m looking forward to a great experience for myself while being around some great people,” concluded Koelling, who carries a 3.9 GPA at Mason. “The goal is to make it to the College World Series and win that. There’s also the developmental side of the game and becoming a better person as well.”