Toledo finds 'power guy' in O'Donnell

Connor O'Donnell 1B / OF / Cleveland Benedictine, OH / 2019

CLEVELAND - It wasn’t that long ago that Connor O’Donnell had received no college interest.

“Ben Simon said you’ve got to go to a PBR and get yourself ranked and get your name out there,” O’Donnell reflected in reference to his Brownlee Lookouts summer coach. “After I went to the Top Prospect Games, colleges started following me over the summer. That helped get my numbers out there and showcase me well.”

Oakland, Eastern Michigan and Morehead State were among those taking an interest in the 93d-rated 2019 player in Ohio. But in the end it was Toledo that turned out to be the right fit for the Benedictine senior.

“Initially they saw me at the Top Prospect Games and saw my power potential which originally sparked interest,” O’Donnell noted. “Once the numbers were out there, Ben got after them

“At the end of the summer I went on an unofficial visit and they gave me an offer,” continued O’Donnell, who was seen numerous times by Toledo with the Lookouts after the TPG event. “Then I went on an official visit a few weeks ago.

“The coaches were very organized,” O’Donnell said of what stood out on the visit. “They knew where they saw me over the next few years. Their 2019 recruiting class is very solid. I think they’ve got a good thing going to become a very solid program and get on the map.”

Toledo sees O’Donnell as a big piece of the program’s future.