Once Lost In Recruitment, Olberding Has Been Found

Jack Olberding LHP / OF / Minster, OH / 2020

MINSTER - Jack Olberding admits his college recruitment began with some uncertainty.

“Honestly, I was lost,” Olberding said. “My sister went to college but not for sports. This was all new for the family.”

While living in a small southwest community in Ohio is not always the perfect scenario for recruiting purposes, playing at Minster had some benefits.

“You know the coaches have expectations of you,” pointed out Olberding, the leadoff hitter and center fielder on this past season’s state tournament team. “ If you don’t fulfill them, somebody that’s working harder will pass you so you have to work hard and give that extra effort.”

The third-rated uncommitted left-handed senior pitcher in Ohio, who is also a two-way prospect, is now getting noticed.

“It’s crazy how one PBR event shot me up and colleges were reaching out to me and talking to me,” noted the 6-1 170-pounder, who most recently participated in the Ohio Unsigned Senior Showcase in mid-December where he was among the Most Projectable Arms, Best Fastball and Most Tools. Previously, Olberding took part in the Southern Ohio Unsigned Senior Games in August and listed among the Most Projectable Arms, Best Breaking Ball and Best 3-Pitch Mix. Earlier in the year at the Miami Valley Prospects Scout Day, he was rated among the best in five pitching categories.

Visits have been taken to Toledo, Sinclair and Walsh, with an offer from Wright State as a PO also being considered.

“Do I want to be only that?” Olberding asked about being a pitcher-only. “I’ve always hit. Toledo and the others will let me try both, but you really have to battle to do that. If that happens you get to play more often but on the other hand you’re not getting breaks in the action.”

The 108th-ranked 2020 in the state saw plusses at the school visits.