Gaskins Ready For Fun Experience At Oakland

SUNBURY - A prospect camp in early November culminated a long recruiting process for Drew Gaskins. Soon after, the Big Walnut High School junior was an Oakland commit.

“Coach (Jordan) Banfield had seen me play and seen good things on video and wanted me to come to a camp,” Gaskins said in reference to the Oakland head coach. “I ran my best 60, 6.85, and my hitting and defense went well. Everything took off from there.

“They offered me the next day but I wanted to talk it over with my family and coach Banfield,” the 6-0 178-pounder continued. “The day after I decided to commit.”

Gaskins admitted the 31/2-hour trip up north was more than he expected.

“I didn’t know much about it, but I loved it,” Gaskins said about the university in Rochester Hills. “I went on a campus tour after the prospect camp and it was very modern, it was clean and in a nice safe area. They have a big multi-sport dome with a weight room that’s nice and an agility room that’s nice.”

Oakland came away impressed with the Big Walnut 2023 as well.

“They like my athleticism, that’s one of the biggest things,” the 56th-ranked 2023 in Ohio pointed out. “Also my versatility in the infield. My primary is shortstop, but I can play second, third and outfield. They also like that I have a lefty swing.”

A commitment came after a recruiting process that, admittedly, had some difficult moments.

“It was stressful at times, I just kept on working and training and eventually I came in contact with the right school,” the 17-year-old explained. “One of the biggest things was the PBR State Games. That helped a lot. I had a good showcase, I was the overall MVP, and after that I had a lot of interest from college coaches in the MAC and Oakland.”

In addition to Oakland, Akron and Towson State were a pair of other schools being considered by Gaskins, whose dream of playing baseball beyond high school began early.

“Growing up playing travel ball is when I started thinking about college baseball,” Gaskins related. “When I made varsity baseball as a freshman is when I realized I can play at the next level. Then I had a good summer and fall and I could picture myself at the D-I level. I had the talent to make it all come into play.”

An improved game helped the cause.

“I was always a two-sport athlete, baseball and basketball, but after eighth grade I decided to tank basketball and go all in on baseball,” Gaskins reflected. “I wanted to play at the Division I level and I wanted to put in the time necessary to do that.

“One of the biggest things was my hitting in the summer playing against good competition. I was able to hit good pitching and feel comfortable with it. I got better defensively with my range and I feel my overall play just got better.”

Launch baseball coaches Josh Moss and Mike Stafford, Ohio Elite coach Mike Lockwood and Dugout baseball and performance coach Joe Marker are credited by Gaskins with playing major roles in development in addition to one other person.

“My dad has always been there supporting me and training me,” Gaskins said. “He’s been a big part of my process.”

A 3.9 student with aspirations to major in business at Oakland, Ohio's 13th-rated junior shortstop is confident that he can make an impact in the Horizon League program.

“Anyone that knows me, I have a crazy work ethic,” Gaskins pointed out. “I’m always working and trying to get better. When I play I have a chip on my shoulders. I want to have fun, but be focused. I think I can help the team get better as well.”

To have the opportunity ahead brings a lot of pleasure to Gaskins.

“It’s a big relief,” Gaskins concluded. “All the work I’ve put in for so many years is finally paying off. There were some stressful days and hard days, but what a great feeling when it all comes into place.

“Playing Division I baseball has been such a big dream of mine. Oakland goes on a West Coast trip to Pepperdine and LA and plays schools down south like Auburn. It seems like a fun level of competition to play. It will be a challenge, but at the same time a chance at bettering myself.”