Toledo Baseball Welcomes Nine Newcomers for 2018-19

Toledo, Ohio—The Toledo baseball program announced its 2018-19 recruiting class on Friday, with nine future Rockets signing on to play at UT.

Frank Ciacchi, Darryn Davis, Thomas Eitniear, Kyle Jones, Mark Mohnickey, Danny Murphy, Jamie Myers, Doug Smith, and Ryan Thompson comprise the newest batch of ballplayers for head coach Cory Mee.

"We are very excited about this group of signees," Mee said. "With six position players and three pitchers we feel like we've addressed our needs. Each year we try to add good all-around baseball players who achieve academically and are athletic, versatile, hardworking, competitive and mentally tough. I feel the members of this class have these traits and are a perfect fit for our program. I am looking forward to working with them and seeing them develop. I know their best days are ahead and I'm excited that those days will be spent in a Rocket uniform."

Six of the nine future Rockets hail from Ohio, while the other three come to Toledo from Michigan. It's the first time since 2011 that Toledo signed nine newcomers during the early signing period.

"I thought my assistant coaches, Josh Bradford and Nick McIntyre, did a tremendous job putting this group together," Mee said. "They identified players that had the strengths we were looking for and those that had the desire to be at Toledo. We have always put a priority on finding student-athletes that are the right fit for our program. Josh and Nick have always done a great job recruiting quality student-athletes and outstanding people that become great representatives of The University of Toledo and our baseball program. I believe this class fits the bill and I am excited to welcome them into our Toledo Baseball Family."

Frank Ciacchi | INF| Brunswick, Ohio
Ciacchi was a three-year letterwinner at Brunswick High School. During his career with the Blue Devils, he has hit .333 to go with a .500 on-base percentage and an .833 slugging percentage. As a junior, he hit three home runs in a game against OHSAA Division I runner-up Strongsville.

Coach Mee on Ciacchi: "Frank is a strong, physical player and a very hard worker. I love his work ethic. I know he is committed and willing to do whatever is necessary to be a successful Division I student-athlete. We really like Frank's ability as a hitter. He has a short, compact swing and a very good approach at the plate, which allows him to consistently make hard contact. I believe Frank will be a power bat and middle-of-the-order type hitter for us. We are counting on him to become an important run producer for our offense during his career as a Rocket."

Darryn Davis | INF| Ann Arbor, Mich.
Davis has earned a baseball letter in each of his three seasons so far at Ann Arbor Skyline High School. He has earned two all-conference and two all-district distinctions during his career, and he has been named the team MVP three times. He holds the school record for career games played, hits, doubles, triples, runs, and RBI and the single-season record for triples. A great all-around athlete, Davis was also Skyline's starting quarterback and earned three varsity letters in football.

Coach Mee on Davis: "Darryn is a really good all-around baseball player. It starts with his defensive versatility, which allows him to play multiple positions. Offensively, I see Darryn as a line-drive hitter with the ability to drive the baseball to all fields. He has a smooth left-handed swing and a disciplined approach at the plate. This helps him to consistently produce quality at-bats. On top of that, I love Darryn's competitiveness and hunger to improve. I believe these traits will serve him well during his college career, and I am excited that it is going to be in a Rocket Uniform."

Thomas Eitniear | INF| Ottawa Lake, Mich.
Eitniear will finish his career as a four-year letterwinner at Whiteford High School. An all-district honoree in each of his first three seasons, he was also named first team all-conference and all-region as a sophomore and junior and second team All-State his sophomore season. That year he hit .391, slugged .470, and stole 29 bases to help lead the team to a 25-9 record and an MHSAA regional semifinal berth. Eitniear also earned three varsity letters in football and four in basketball. He was an all-state performer for the Bobcats in football, helping them to a state championship as a senior.

Coach Mee on Eitniear: "Thomas is an outstanding three-sport athlete, who is tough competitor, hard worker and outstanding leader. I love his knowledge and feel for the game of baseball. This, along with his athleticism, makes him an exciting player to watch because he can influence the game in so many different ways. Offensively he is extremely versatile. I see him as an offensive catalyst who can hit, steal bases, bunt and handle the bat if needed. Defensively, Thomas is outstanding. Not only does he make the routine play, but on occasion he can make the spectacular one too. He is going to be a dynamic player for us, one that people are going to want to see play."

Kyle Jones | RHP | St. Clair Shores, Mich.
Jones, a letterwinner at De La Salle Collegiate, was the best pitcher on his team in 2017. He led the Pilots in ERA (1.72), WHIP (1.09), and strikeouts (72). He was voted Pitcher of the Year by his teammates and earned several other accolades as well, including All-Catholic Award, all-district, second team all-county, academic all-district, and academic all-state.

Coach Mee on Jones: "I am very excited about Kyle joining our program. With Kyle we add someone to our staff with a legitimate strikeout pitch. He has a plus slider that he is able to throw for strikes consistently in any count. He also commands his fastball to both sides of the plate making him the ultimate strike thrower, a trait we want in all of our pitchers. I also love Kyle's presence on the mound. He is always under control and shows tremendous poise and composure when he is pitching. For this reason, I can see Kyle being a big-game pitcher for the Rockets during his career."

Mark Mohnickey | C | North Ridgeville, Ohio
Mohnickey will enter 2018 as the starting catcher at St. Edward High School for the third straight season, and he will serve as a team captain as a senior. He has been an offensive force during his career, hitting .361 with a .464 slugging percentage and a .425 on-base percentage. He earned a silver slugger award in 2015 after a season in which he hit .481.

Coach Mee on Mohnickey: "Mark is a left-handed hitting catcher who will solidify our team behind the plate. I'm really excited about Mark's potential offensively. Right now he has an outstanding approach at the plate. He consistently produces quality at-bats and has shown the ability to drive the baseball. I believe he will continue to develop power as he gets stronger and matures physically. I see Mark becoming a middle-of-the-order bat and an important run producer for our team during his career. Mark is also a solid defensive catcher. I know he takes a lot of pride in his performance defensively and works very hard on his receiving, blocking and throwing ability. I know I am really looking forward to seeing Mark in a Rocket Uniform next year."

Danny Murphy | INF | Cleveland Heights, Ohio
Murphy has earned a varsity letter in each of his first three seasons at Hawken School. As a freshman in 2015, he set the school record for walks in a season with 30, and also led the team with 18 stolen bases and 23 runs scored. During his sophomore season in 2016, he hit .386, slugged. 429, and owned an on-base percentage of .583. He led the team in all three categories, as well as hits (27), walks (28), runs scored (31), and stolen bases (30). He was named all-conference and all-district en route to Hawken's run to a district final in the OHSAA Tournament. Murphy was a 2016 Ohio Prospect League All-State selection.

Coach Mee on Murphy: "I am very excited about Danny joining our program. The son of a coach, he has a great knowledge and feel for the game. Plus, he plays the game with tremendous energy, enthusiasm and hustle. You can see his passion for the game in the way that he plays. I see Danny as a playmaker on defense. He possesses excellent hands and feet. I believe these qualities along with his smooth actions will make him a defensive standout during his career. As a hitter, Danny is a versatile offensive player, who can influence the game in many ways. He has the ability to hit, bunt and with his speed, steal bases. With his strengths, I believe Danny will have a big impact on our program during his career as a Rocket."

Jamie Myers | LHP | Grafton, Ohio
Myers has earned a varsity letter in each of his first three seasons playing baseball for Midview High School. As a sophomore, he was named All-Southwest Conference (SWC) honorable mention and, in a Perfect Game tournament, he was named MVP after throwing 12 innings, recording 20 strikeouts, and just three walks, posting an ERA of 0.00. Myers was named second team All-SWC as a junior. His combined numbers from his high school and summer league seasons totaled 50 innings pitched with 103 strikeouts and just 14 walks, leading him to a record of 9-1.

Coach Mee on Myers: "Jamie is the only left-handed pitcher in our class. He has three quality pitches that he is able to consistently throw for strikes. I love Jamie's aggressiveness on the mound. He really attacks hitters and is a fierce competitor. You see that competitive fire in Jamie when he takes the mound. You can tell he wants the ball when the game is on the line. Jamie is also a very hard worker who is willing to do whatever it takes to be successful. I am excited to see him work with our pitching coach, Josh Bradford, and watch his development. I believe he will become a key part of our pitching staff during his time in a Rocket uniform."

Doug Smith | RHP | Galloway, Ohio
Smith comes to UT from Cuyahoga Community College. In 2016, he posted a record of 8-3 with a 2.21 ERA in 61 innings pitched. He struck out 60 batters in 12 appearances on the mound, recording a season-high seven strikeouts on three separate occasions. In his debut with Cuyahoga he threw five innings, striking out six and walking just one. He tossed a season-best seven innings three times. He also earned Ohio Community College Athletic Conference player of the week honors that season.

Coach Mee on Smith: "Doug is a very key part of our recruiting class. Adding a pitcher to our staff with his experience and strike throwing ability is huge for us. He understands what it takes to be successful at the collegiate level. His success starts with his ability to command his fastball to both sides of the plate. He also has a very good breaking ball. Most importantly, Doug can handle the game. He is poised and composed on the mound. Tough situations don't rattle him. Couple this with his competitiveness and a tireless work ethic, and I believe Doug is going to be a major contributor on the mound for the Rockets as soon as he sets foot on campus."

Ryan Thompson | INF | Massillon, Ohio
Thompson earned two varsity letters at Dover High School before moving to Perry High School, where he will earn his second varsity letter this upcoming season. He was the only freshman to letter at Dover as a freshman in 2015 and helped lead the team to an ECOL District Championship. The owner of a .325 career batting average, Ryan's play was a big part of Perry's run to a Federal League Sectional runner-up performance last season.

Coach Mee on Thompson: "Ryan is a strong left-handed hitter, who we expect to develop into a middle-of-the-order type bat and run producer during his career at Toledo. I love his approach at the plate. He shows great discipline at the plate which helps him consistently have quality at-bats. On top of that, he is a line-drive hitter who I believe has power potential. Defensively, I love Ryan's versatility, we value his ability to play anywhere on the field. I have always been impressed with Ryan's even-keeled approach on the diamond. The poise and composure he demonstrates on the field will serve him well in those clutch, late game situations he will face during his career. I know I can't wait to see him suit up for the Rockets next season."

Toledo Baseball Welcomes Nine Newcomers for 2018-19

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