MLB Draft: Celina grad, top Ohio State recruit taken by Reds in MLB draft

Seth Lonsway, one of the top recruits in Ohio State’s 2018 baseball recruiting class, was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 19th round Wednesday. He was the 557th overall pick.

Baseball America and other outlets had Lonsway projected as high as the third round, possibly falling lower to ninth. He was expected to weigh his position in the draft with whether he would opt for Ohio State.

While the 19th round is lower than he probably hoped, getting selected by the Reds may change his mind. Celina is in Mercer County, in the heart of the Reds fan base and the closest MLB team to his home town. If he made low-A ball it would be in Dayton, just an hour down the road.

"If everything doesn't work out as planned, I'll go to Ohio State and be a Buckeye," Lonsway told the Celina Daily Standard's Colin Foster.

Land Grant Holy Land quoted Prep Baseball report: Lonsway's fastball sits in the low 90s, peaking in the mid-90s with a 12-6 curve and a top level slider.

“He has above average feel for a pitcher his age,” major league scout Roger Janeway said.

The left-hander was Ohio State’s biggest recruit the last four seasons. Ohio State finished 22-34 last season, meaning the Celina Bulldog was expected to make an immediate impact on the Buckeyes pitching staff.

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