Playing In The Big 10 ‘Is Going To Be Special’ For Mansbery

Matthew Mansbery SS / 3B / Walsh Jesuit, OH / 2026

BRECKSVILLE - Matt Mansbery sees everything right with his decision to make a commitment to the University of Michigan.

“What stood out was their school pride and their want to help other students within the community,” explained the Walsh Jesuit High School junior. “The coaches truly cared about developing, not only a great player but also a great person and leader.”

The fourth-rated 2026 shortstop in Ohio pointed to one event as the key in his recruiting process.

“I was seen at a few tournaments, but the big one was the Future Games,” noted Mansbery. “Prep Baseball helped me out a lot by putting me in front of all the coaches.”

The event in Georgia in late July turned out to be a selling point for the 6-1 167-pound middle infielder.

“Michigan saw me at the Future Games and watched me play a few games,” Mansbery said. “From there, they contacted me on Aug 1 and we set up an official visit.”

It was a memorable first day of August for the 16-year-old Mansbery, who will turn 17 on Oct. 27.

“Aug. 1 was a bit stressful for me,” Mansbery admitted. “That’s when my recruitment process started. I didn’t really know what to expect. Michigan was one of the schools that reached out that day and I talked to coach (Cory) Valentine about it.”

After a visit to the Big 10 university in Ann Arbor, located 21/2 hours from his home in Brecksville, Mansbery knew he had found the college of his choice.

“What made Michigan right for me is their academics and baseball development,” pointed out the 15th-ranked junior in Ohio. “Being a Midwest guy, playing in the Big 10 is going to be special for me. Being at Michigan, I’ll be able to play close to my family while playing with and against some guys that I grew up with.”

It helps fulfill a goal that Mansbery has had for a number of years.

“College baseball became something I wanted to do once I got into late middle school,” reflected Mansbery, who carries a 4.0 GPA at Walsh Jesuit and is undecided on a college major. “It was at that time that I had to start thinking about my academic future. After my freshman year it started to become realistic. That’s when I felt I started to get some attention from the baseball world.”

Recognition only increased from there, topped off by the opportunity to play in front of coaches around the country at the Future Games, helping make his college baseball dream a reality.