Power Bat Attracts Indiana To Gilbert

CHAGRIN FALLS - The desire to be seen was falling short. The change in recruitment due to COVID-19 was taking a toll.

“It affected me a lot,” explained Ryan Gilbert. “D-I schools couldn’t come see you, so at the beginning of the summer it was hard to see me. Even if I was doing well it felt like no one was noticing. It was hard for D-I schools to find me.”

The second-rated 2021 outfielder in Ohio was a big anxious.

“I wasn’t necessarily nervous, I knew my time would come,” Gilbert said. “I was in a group of 2021s that just hadn’t been seen yet.”

The Northern Ohio Unsigned Senior Gamesthen  changed it all for the future of the Kenston senior.

“They first contacted me after the Unsigned Senior Games,” Gilbert related about Indiana. “I took one round of BP and Jordan (Chiero, PBR Ohio Director of Scouting) reached out to their head coach. Three weeks after I got an offer.”

Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Kentucky and Marshall also took interest in the 13th-rated 2021 in the state.

“Physical presence, swings with intent to do damage and does just that,” Chiero said after Gilbert's performance at the PBR event in late July. “Very impressive round, ball explodes off the bat. Hit a HR to LF and another off the wall.”

It brought attention to Indiana and an offer with a commitment followed.

“They like that I bring a big power bat,” noted the 6-4 225-pounder, who has an exit velocity of 104. “It was all about hitting, the hitting tool is a necessity. Indiana also recruits bigger-sized guys and I fit that.”

An unofficial visit to the Bloomington campus took place soon after with family.

“The biggest thing about the program is it didn’t seem like other coaches cared as much about me personally as they did,” Gilbert said.

The idea of playing at the next level, especially at such a high Division I type school, only recently came into Gilbert’s mind.

“It wasn’t that long ago, late to the end of my sophomore year,” Gilbert pointed out. “I didn’t see potential in myself, but then I realized I had a chance to do something with my baseball career. I got motivated and started working hard.”

Results accompanied the desire to get better..

“My hitting facility helped me a lot,” Gilbert said in reference to PPA. “I got live at-bats against pro guys which helped me improve a lot.”

There was more improvement in other areas of importance.

“I improved my mental game at the plate,” Gilbert explained. “I don’t try to do too much. I’m more focused and locked in. I just try to have smooth swings and stay positive when I have a bad day.”

The aspiration to enhance his game remains.

“The biggest thing I want to do is see as many top-level arms as I can,” Gilbert noted. “I’m going where I can to see top-level throwing so when I get to college everything will be a lot easier.”

The Kenston senior believes there is a lot he can bring to the IU program.

“From a baseball perspective, I can impact the middle of the order,” Gilbert explained. “Outside of baseball, I’m fun to be around. I’m a good teammate and bring others up if they’re down.”

Gilbert points to hitting coach Tyler Mitchell along with summer coaches Ben Demell and Thomas Pfaus with being influential in his game and recruitment.

“It was all pretty much what I expected,” noted the 3.1 student who has plans to major in business. “You just had to go out and play baseball. You can tell being around others that are going to bigger programs. You compare yourself and if you can compete with them it’s a simple process.”

Still, the day Indiana offered was a memorable experience for Gilbert.

“At the moment it was a huge relief,” Gilbert said. “It was filled with a lot of excitement and then you’re happy the process is over. But a day after I got motivated. I kicked it into a new gear so I can go to Indiana and do my best to compete when I get there.”