Camacho Hoping To ‘Make A Ride To Omaha’ At Kent State

Manny Camacho LHP / 1B / West Holmes, OH / 2026

MILLERSBURG - There was only one call on Aug. 1 when college coaches could first make initial contact with players in the 2026 class. As it turns out, it was the only one necessary for Manny Camacho, who made a commitment to Kent State 11 weeks later.

“It was the best thing that ever happened to me,” the West Holmes High School junior said about Kent State’s phone call.

The 6-7 225-pound southpaw, who by the end of September had only heard from other schools via messages, drew more interest from Kent State with his showing at an Ohio State team camp with the Legends and the Prep Baseball State Games. Two days after the State Games, Camacho went on a visit to the Mid-American Conference university an hour and 20 minutes from home.

“Kent was impressed with how I dominated hitters with my fastball and how much potential I have,” explained the eighth-rated 2026 left-handed pitcher in Ohio. “The visit went well. I felt at home. I love the campus and the coaches are great. I instantly felt connected to the team.”

The 17-year-old, who was offered on the visit and accepted a day later, admits the recruiting process was not easy.

“Bowling Green watched me over the summer and Cincinnati saw me at Grand Park and at a Prep Baseball event in Cincinnati,” Camacho reflected. “Walsh reached out and Akron called right before I committed.

“But there was a time I got down a little. Seeing all the 2026 kids committing was a little hard. John Sullivan, my summer ball coach with the Legends, helped me a ton getting in touch with Kent. I didn’t know they had known about me since July.”

Nick and Max Carevic with NMC Performance are also credited by Camacho with assisting in his drive to play at the next level.

“They helped me develop tremendously,” explained the 65th-rated junior in Ohio. “Going into my freshman year I was low-70s. I was topping 78-79 in the summer, 83 in the winter and up to 85 as a sophomore. This summer I was 87.”

Camacho is confident that he can be a major asset to the Kent State program.

“The thing I told the coaches was that I want to win the MAC championship and go to Omaha,” Camacho related. “I think I can make an impact right away. I think I can really be a force in their pitching rotation. They have the best pitching coach in the country with how long he’s been there and the knowledge he has.”

The chance to learn from the Kent State staff only added to the excitement the day of his commitment.

“It was a surreal feeling,” Camacho said. “The best day of my life. After I committed I went to a girls soccer game and everyone was congratulating me. I couldn’t be more grateful to the community I live in and the school I’m going to.”

Accounting or finance will be the college major for the 3.8 student, excited about what is to come after high school.

“I’m ready for the college experience,” Camacho concluded. “Knowing Kent’s history in baseball, I know we’ll be good and make a ride to Omaha.”