Kogge Staying Close To Home After Commitment To Ohio University

Cael Kogge RHP / C / Pickerington Central, OH / 2026

PICKERINGTON - A catcher his whole life, Cael Kogge will focus on pitching at the next level after a commitment to Ohio University.

“I’ve always been a catcher, since I was eight-years-old,” the Pickerington Central junior related. “But starting with 9U I did both. I’ve never been able to decide what I want to do, which one over the other, which one I like the most. But this past year during school ball I hit 90. After that, with my summer coach pushing for me to get better, is when I said I want to pitch.”

Ohio University sees the 28th-rated 2026 right-handed pitcher in the state being able to make an impact at the next level.

“The pitching coach, Tim Brown, heard about me from Colton Landtiser, who goes to Pick Central,” Kogge said in reference to the senior OU commit. “Coach saw me throw at an OU camp in June, at the Top Prospect Games and in summer games with Ohio Elite and really liked me pitching. He also saw me at my main position, catcher.

“Once Aug. 1 hit, he was the first to give me a call. He’s a great guy. We talked for an hour on the phone. We talked financial stuff and getting me on a visit.”

It was a match that Kogge admits wasn’t the goal at a younger age.

“The dream my whole life was to play at the Big Dog schools like an SEC school,” Kogge reflected. “ That was always the dream. But I thought about it and, honestly, I decided I wanted to stay close to home. Family is a big part of this. That was the deciding factor. OU is 40 minutes from home.”

A connection with the staff made it a reality.

“Tim Brown is always checking how I am,” Kogge said of the Ohio University pitching coach. “The head coach (Craig Moore) is also a super dude. I just really liked it.”

The 6-3 215-pounder made an impression on OU.

“They saw me catch sophomore spring and knew I pitched,” Kogge said. “They like that I have an athletic body and knew I wanted to pitch at the next level. I work out with Colton Landtiser and Andrew Endres of Hilliard Davidson, both OU commits.”

Improvement has come along the way.

“I started lifting last summer,” Kogge noted. “I was 195 then and have put on 15-20 pounds and really saw a difference. It’s been huge with my velo.

“Josh Cyr, my summer coach, has been a big part of my recruiting process,” Kogge added. “He’s helped with everything, from talking to coaches to putting on weight to putting on velo. My family has also been big and I want to thank them for everything they’ve done for me. Bill Chaffin at Grove City has been a summer ball coach for me for a long time and has helped me as a pitcher.”

The 77th-ranked 2026 in Ohio also pointed to the Top Prospect Games as benefitting his recruiting process.

“A ton of coaches were there, including Ohio U,” Kogge said. “That was a big part of this. I threw really well.”

A 4.0 student at Pickerington Central considering a major in business or something science related, Kogge expects to make an impact at the Mid-American Conference program.

“I’ll be a great teammate and someone that brings energy,” Kogge explained. “I always show up excited and ready to play.”

Making a commitment was a memorable moment for the 16-year-old. 

“Everyone was stoked to hear the news,” Kogge reflected. “I was super excited to let Tim Brown know I was accepting the offer.

“I’m really looking forward to going to Ohio U and getting my degree,” Kogge concluded. “I want to win the MAC and go to the College World Series. That would be a major experience to be able to play in that.”