Cheeseman Attracting Big-Time College Interest

COMMERCE TWP. - Alex Cheeseman is in no rush when it comes to making a college commitment.

“Whenever I find the right place that I feel fits me,” the seventh-rated 2023 shortstop in Michigan said about deciding on a future home. “I’ll know it’s best for me when I make the decision.”

For now, the Brother Rice junior has other things on his mind.

“I hope to help my high school team win a state championship,” related Cheeseman, who was part of a Brother Rice team that reached the state semifinals a year ago. “I want to win as many games as possible. Off the field, it’s about working on good grades and also finding the right college for me.”

A step in that direction came late summer when the talented middle infielder represented Team Michigan at the Future Games.

“PBR has meant a lot getting schools to see me at events like the Future Games,” Cheeseman noted. “It was great to have so many schools come watch me at the same place.”

Interest from colleges followed.

“I first started talking to schools like Duke, Notre Dame and Michigan State after they saw me at the Future Games,” Cheeseman said. “Dartmouth also reached out after seeing me at the Future Games. A couple asked for my transcripts and grades and said they wanted to get me on campus.”

More schools have entered the picture since, with an offer in the books from Air Force after an official visit. Unofficial campus trips have been taken to Central Michigan, Ohio U and Oakland.

“It’s been really good to walk around campuses and check out the facilities,” the 36th-ranked 2023 in the state explained. “I’m not sure how far from home I’m wanting to go. I’m just hoping for one of the Power 5 schools that’s competitive and has good sports teams.”

With a 6.66 time in the 60 to go along with 87 infield and 97 exit velocity, the 5-11 165-pounder brings plenty to the table.

“They like my speed a lot,” Cheeseman said about colleges he has been in contact with during his recruitment. “They also like that I’m strong defensively and that I can swing it well.”

Aaron Wilson, PBR Michigan Director of Scouting, has been impressed with what he’s seen.

“Cheesean was an asset to Team Michigan,” pointed out Wilson, the coach of the Michigan squad at the Future Games. “He’s a workhorse that lets his play speak for itself. He turned multiple double plays up the middle while showing a line drive approach at the plate.”

Improvement has been vital in getting the eyes of college coaches on him.

“I’ve been hitting the weight room a lot,” the 10th-rated uncommitted junior in Michigan explained. “I’m getting a lot stronger and faster and that’s helped me with throwing and hitting the ball harder.”

Shortstop and second base are positions of recruitment for Cheeseman, who admittedly has found the recruiting process demanding.

“It’s been kind of stressful trying to get colleges to come see you and then to find out if they like you,” Cheeseman said. “I do like getting feedback.”

It was in middle school when Cheeseman first became enamored with the idea of playing baseball at the next level.

“Once I saw a couple of kids that committed I started thinking how and why to do it,” the 17-year-old reflected. “Last high school season was when I started playing my best ball and that’s when colleges started talking to me.”

Judged as one of the “best in-game defenders” for Team Michigan at the Future Games, Cheeseman is confident he can be a major asset to a college program.

“I believe I have the ability to show them I can do everything,” Cheeseman noted. “I can hit for power and average and once I get on base I can steal bases. I’m good defensively and can help out the pitchers.”

It’s just a matter of finding the right fit for Cheeseman, a 4.0 student considering business as a possible college major.

“Once I see myself fitting into campus and the coaches are right for me and I have a good connection with them and others there, when I see myself as a good teammate with them, that’s when I’ll know it’s the right fit,” Cheeseman concluded.