Upper Arlington Pitcher Proud To Make Wright State Home

COLUMBUS - A PBR tournament last fall is when it all began for Michael Glaser and Wright State.
“I had my best game ever and then PBR posted about it,” reflected Glaser. “After that, coach (Nate) Metzger, the recruiting coordinator, followed me.”

It was a memorable day for the Upper Arlington right-handed pitcher.

“It was down in Dayton and my first or second weekend with my new team (Triple Crown Royals), so I was a little nervous,” Glaser remembered. “I had to impress them, I had to prove myself.”

That certainly happened.

“I had 16 strikeouts and touched 85 for the first time on record,” Glaser noted.

A year later, it all culminated in a commitment.

“Coach Metzger came to the same tournament this fall and watched me down in Dayton,” the 46th-rated 2023 in Ohio said. “We talked after that for a couple weeks and he invited me to a camp. I talked to the coaches and players there and that night they sent me a text and said they wanted to offer and have me on a visit to talk about the details. Two or three weeks later I went on a visit and liked what I saw. I really connected with the coaches and community.

“The coaches like me as a person and truly care about me,” Glaser continued. “They’re honest. They don’t think they have the nicest fascilities but they don’t complain, they just work hard. It reminds me of working out in my garage with friends.”

The 6-3 200-pounder pointed to a pair of summer teammates with directing him in the right direction when it came to getting recognized.

“Jake Taylor and Carter Hanson told me how helpful PBR was,” Glaser related. “I went to the Top Prospect Games and all the top players in the state were there so you’re able to validate yourself. The stats are against good competition and they’re from a reliable source rather than me and my dad throwing in the backyard and having a pocket radar.”

Until being noticed by Wright State, the 16th-rated right-handed pitcher in the state had little other interest and, hence, some apprehension if it could really happen.

“It was always a goal in my head but I didn’t realize what it actually took,” Glaser admitted. “I didn’t consider doing it until my sophomore year after Covid. PBR shouted out what I did and that’s when it all started for me. Up until Covid I was playing for a local team and had no real shot at college baseball. I don’t think I saw myself as that good.”

But improvement proved beneficial in bringing confidence along with interest.

“Every day I tried to make sure I was doing something to get better,” Glaser explained. “I had to stay motivated and have the end goal in mind. I have close friends with the same goals which helped me to stay motivated and stay on target.”

Upper Arlington coach Sam Clark, Danny LePera with Top Notch Trainers and Dan Moss with Triple Crown Royals are credited by Glaser with being influential in obtaining the dream of playing baseball at Wright State, a place the 16-year-old knows well about.

“With my dad’s parents living in Dayton and going to Wright State baseball games and getting invited to a camp, I never saw that coming,” noted Glaser, whose aunt also attended Wright State. “When I got the text and offered to visit I ran downstairs and said this is happening.”

Glaser believes he can help the Horizon League program in a big way.

“Hopefully, I’ll bring another workhorse that wants to get better, that has a good positive attitude, someone that is clutch in the field and in situations I need to be,” Glaser said.

A major in sport management is being considered by Glaser, who can not wait to get back on campus at Wright State.

“I’m looking forward to being able to compete at a high level and hoping to make it to the pros some day,” Glaser said. “I want to help keep the legacy going there while making lifelong friends.”

Glaser has trouble describing what it means to be going to the university located just an hour from home.

“It’s hard to put it all into words,” Glaser concluded. “The hard work that I’ve put in all my life … the weight has been lifted off my shoulders. To be able to find a place that I’m proud to go to, with a family connection there, it feels just amazing.”