Edison's Wittmer signs with Louisville

MILAN TWP. — Edison senior Bryson Wittmer verbally committed to play baseball for the University of Louisville nearly three years ago, before he threw a pitch for the Chargers. Friday, the hard-throwing left-hander put pen to paper and made it official by signing a scholarship agreement to play for one of the top programs in the country. Wittmer, the Division V Player of the Year in Ohio last season, has always had his eye on Louisville. "Ever since I saw Adam Wolf growing up, seeing he went to Edison, seeing he's a lefty, seeing he went to Louisville, I kind of wanted to follow in his footsteps," Wittmer said. "I look up to him a lot and he helps me out in the winter." Wolf had a great career for the Cardinals. Wittmer expects big things, too. "For baseball, the best competition I'm going to see is in the (Atlantic Coast Conference)," he said. "The ACC has so many phenomenal pitchers. Louisville said they want me to come in and be a Day 1 starter so I'll work my butt off this season and head down there right after I graduate so I can be a Friday night starter in Year 1." Wittmer was joined by friends, family and coaches for his signing ceremony inside the Edison library. Parents Elizabeth and David watched as he signed an agreement that included several pages. "Obviously my scholarship, housing and what I'm getting for NIL," he said. Wittmer said he received about 30 NCAA Division I offers since verbally committing to Louisville on his 15th birthday. One of the first came from Ohio State, which was intriguing because Wittmer also was a standout football player. "The only time I would ever play football and baseball was if Ohio State offered me for football," he said. "Unfortunately, that didn't happen. Ryan Day didn't call me. If he did, I promise that I'd be there." Wittmer seriously considered offers from Alabama and LSU and also talked with Kentucky and Mississippi State. In the end, he stuck with his original choice. He said the coaching staff — headed by longtime coach Dan McDonnell — and Louisville's approach to the transfer portal were big reasons why he plans to play for the Cardinals. "Louisville doesn't go into the transfer portal too much," Wittmer said. "A lot of schools will recruit a guy out of high school and once he gets to college he doesn't play because they'd recruited somebody who's already played college baseball. Louisville focuses on player development, becoming a better person and better player." Despite committing to Louisville, there is a possibility Wittmer could change course if he gets drafted by a major league team next summer. "I've talked to the Yankees almost every day," he said. "They really like me; they said keep dominating and the future will work out itself. If I dominate and do my thing, I could get drafted. "I also got my new NIL last January from the university. That's a lot of money as well. NIL is crazy right now. We'll plan it out and see what's better for me." Wittmer's senior football season was cut short due to a tear to a ligament in his right wrist. He was injured in early September and expected to undergo surgery on his non-throwing hand before passing on that option. "My wrist does not hurt anymore; I have zero pain in it," he said. "I've been swinging a bat, so we'll see about that. Probably just become a (pitcher only) this year." Wittmer said he sees a chiropractor regularly and goes through laser therapy and a dry needle treatment. Wittmer was 4-0 with a 2.00 earned-run average last season for Edison, striking out 64 batters in 28 innings. Edison baseball coach Sean Hoover was among those who attended Friday's ceremony. He expects big things from Wittmer in the spring. "He's special athletically. He has the arm talent and will mature and learn how to handle game situations better and better," Hoover said. "He'll keep growing and getting better and will have a great senior year." Wittmer sat out his sophomore baseball season due to another football wrist injury after going 3-0 with a 0.51 ERA as a freshman, striking out 24 batters in 13 2/3 innings. He throws a fastball that has regularly been clocked in the low 90s, as well as a slider, curveball and changeup. "I want to be the best pitcher in Ohio and I want to be the best teammate I can be," Wittmer said. "I want to develop my pitches, getting them dialed in for college, and I want to be a guy that my coaches can on the mound and trust that we'll win the game no matter what."