Echols Excited To Make Miami College Choice

Taylor Echols RHP / SS / Wapakoneta, OH / 2024

WAPAKONETA - Once Brian Smiley became the head coach at Miami of Ohio the future of Taylor Echols became clear.

“My number one school was Indiana State where coach Smiley was at when I went there to visit,” reflected the Wapakoneta incoming senior, who was offered by the university in Terre Haute, Ind.

But when Smiley was hired at the Mid-American Conference school in Oxford in mid-June the destination of where Echols was thinking about going to college changed.

“I like coach Smiley and what he had to say about me and the program,” explained the 13th-ranked 2024 right-handed pitcher in Ohio, who was also considering Ball State and Ohio State. “My sister attends Miami and all my family went there. It felt like the right fit.”

Smiley and company believe that Echols has a bright future at Miami.

“They like my pitchability,” the 5-8 140-pounder said. “Being so short, my fastball plays up a little bit. They like my competitiveness and that I can throw all my pitches for strikes. They like that I can spin the baseball, my changeup on righties and that I can land my curve and slider for strikes.”

It was not that long ago Echols had doubts about playing at the next level.

“I wasn’t very good, my sophomore season I was 81-83,” related the 39th-rated senior in the state. “But I made a big jump to 86-88 that summer. I hit the weight room and that helped my velo to go along with my pitchability. I know how to get batters out.

“College baseball became realistic at a college development camp at the Bo Dome a year ago,” Echols continued. “PBR and Bo Jackson helped me with media and talking to coaches. Cory Valentine reached out and got coaches to come watch me. It was stressful when Indiana State pulled the offer. They offered me in the spring when I no-hit Defiance but I took too long.”

Pitching coach Brian Garman along with high school pitching coach Marshall Gerlach are credited by Echols with helping in his development in becoming a Division I college recruit despite his small stature.

“I stretch a lot so I’m very mobile,” Echols explained. “I have a very quick arm, that’s how I throw hard.”

The third-ranked uncommitted 2024 right-handed pitcher in Ohio at the time of his commitment to Miami is confident he can be valuable to the Mid-American Conference program not far from his hometown of Wapakoneta.

“I’m a good teammate in the dugout, I love to support my guys,” noted Echols. “I hope to get some innings my freshman year and hopefully be a starter my second or third year.”

Business is the planned major for Echols, who carries a 3.2 GPA.

“When I got the offer I waited to see what other options I had,” Echols said. “Leading up to it I was waiting on Ball State and Ohio State, but I knew. It was definitely relieving to get it over. My relationship with coaches from the other schools was great, but I knew where I wanted to go. My family was stoked.”

Going to college only 90 minutes from home brings an exciting feeling to the recently-turned 18-year-old.

“I’m looking forward to competing at a high level,” Echols concluded. “I’m excited to see what I can do. Meeting new people will be great as well.”