Bradenton Native Striving to Reach the Major Leagues

Michael Ohlman described it as the toughest decision of his life.

Unlike the NFL, NBA or NHL, players selected in Major League Baseball’s draft each June aren’t required to sign with the team that drafts them.

So when the Baltimore Orioles selected Ohlman, who at that point had just finished his senior year at , in the 11th round of the 2009 MLB draft, Ohlman was faced with a tough decision. He could either sign with the Orioles, and immediately begin his professional career, or take his talents to the University of Miami, where he had received a full scholarship to play baseball.

Ohlman mulled over the decision for months, weighing the pros and cons for each potential choice, before finally deciding to forgo college and sign with the Orioles that August.

“It was definitely the hardest decision I’ve ever had to make,” said Ohlman, now in the midst of his third season as a catcher in the Orioles’ organization. “I just didn’t want to have any regrets after that process was over, whether I went to school or decided to play pro ball. I didn’t want to look back and have any regrets, and I don’t. I definitely made the right decision.”

Ohlman, who attended and as a youngster before beginning high school at Lakewood Ranch, was a three-year varsity starter during high school and capped his Mustangs career by posting a .597 batting average during his senior season. During that season, Ohlman reached base nearly 70-percent of the time he stepped up to the plate, recording a .697 on-base percentage.

The Orioles rewarded Ohlman with a $995,000 signing bonus, the largest ever given to a player drafted after the 10th round.

At the time, Baseball America wrote that Ohlman “stands out for his power, athleticism and arm strength.”

Yet, three years into his professional career, Ohlman, who turns 21 in December, finds himself still trying to reach his full potential.

Although he has started to turn the corner this year for Single-A Delmarva, even being selected as a South Atlantic League All-Star, the transition from high school to the pros hasn’t been an easy one for Ohlman.

He had just two hits in 11 at-bats for the Gulf Coast League Orioles in 2009 and batted a measly .208 between Rookie League Bluefield and Delmarva last season. He has, however, raised his average to .246 this year, as of July 29, while tallying 19 extra-base hits (14 doubles, two triples, three home runs) and 39 runs batted-in. He has a .333 on-base percentage.

“I struggled a lot my first couple years, and really had to dig down and find myself,” Ohlman said. “But I came into this year viewing this season as a new year and a fresh start, and I’m happy with everything I’ve done so far.”

He added, “In high school, you’re a big fish in a small pond. But once I got here, I was a very small fish in a very big pond. Struggling early on really humbled me.”

Yet, despite the struggles, Ohlman’s primary goal remains the same, focused on doing whatever he can to one day reach the major league level.

He plans to return to Bradenton once the season is over and train at Sandlot at Five Tools Baseball under the guidance of Dwayne Strong, the current head coach at Ohlman has been training with Strong since he was 10 years old.

“I still have a lot to learn,” Ohlman said, “but I expect to play in the big leagues some day. I’ve always expected that, and I won’t settle for anything less.”

As for the final month and a half of this season, though, Ohlman says he “just [hopes] to stay healthy, continue to make steps in the right direction and just finish the season strong.”

Ohlman and Delmarva wrap up their season Sept. 5.