22 years, 161 strikeoutsand undeniable dedication have all led Ashland alum, Art Warren to what he said, was the most nerve-racking afternoons of his life; draft day.

Surrounded by his mother, brother and high school friends, on June 10, Warren was selected by the Seattle Mariners in the 23 round of the 2015 Major League Baseball Draft.

Warren began his baseball career at Napoleon high school where he was a first-team all-conference selection, was an honorable mention all-district as a senior and fished his senior season with 80 strikeouts, setting the record set the Napoleon single-season.

He also holds the single-game record for strikeouts, throwing 15 in one game, and pitched a pair of no-hitters in 2010.

Following his career at Napoleon, Warren was recruited by Cincinnati.  Warren threw in 16 games his freshman season and had two starts striking out 17. In 2013, his sophomore year, Warren went 1-1 and in the 12 innings he played, struck out 12.

It was after his sophomore year Warren decided to transfer to Ashland University.

“I transferred because I did not think I was getting developed the way I felt was necessary to reach my goals,” said Warren. “My coaches told me if I felt that I needed to go somewhere else to make my dreams happen, they were going to be okay with it.”

Unfortunately, Warren’s dreams were put to a halt after he injured his elbow and had to undergo Tommy John surgery. 

This set Art back a season, although the surgery did not allow Warren to stop pursuing his dream.  He was back on the field by spring 2015 for his senior season.

Warren has been trying to get drafted for four years. When he was a junior in high school he had an opportunity, and then throughout his college career when he was not red shirted or injured. 

Trying to make the draft for so many years is very typical for baseball players and most of the time, it comes down to a chance of luck.

“The draft is crazy when it comes to getting selected,” said Warren. “There are tons of kids who have a chance and you just have to get lucky. That’s what makes it so nerve racking.”

Despite playing the game of chance, Warren’s career with the Ashland University baseball program is what allowed him to stand out from other potential recruits. 

“The throwing program at AU was very important to me as a pitcher,” said Warren. “AU was able to build a program based heavily on long toss which is something that I bought into and is one of the reasons I may have been chosen over other athletes.”

AU is fortunate to possess the elite coaching staff is does. Along with the knowledge and guidance Head Coach John Schaly is able to provide for his athletes, Strength and Conditioning Coach AG Kruger is able to manipulate the workouts to help specialize with all individual positions. Not every university can claim they have this advantage over other athletes.

This season, Ashland baseball added a new pitching coach to their staff in hopes to continue to grow their program.

“The most important person for me last season was Coach Hilt,” said Warren. “The way he marketed me and my teammates to scouts was a huge reason why I got drafted. He was able to give recruiters a precise schedule for when each of us was going to throw, making it much easier on the recruiters.”

As a first year, and a younger coach, Aaron Hilt knew it was important to create a strong relationship with his pitchers and was able to create a close bond with Art.

“I am so proud of Art,” said Hilt. “Art and I have become really close throughout this whole process. He’s got something that a lot of athletes do not have; he’s very self motivated from things in his past and he would talk to me about how he would incorporate those things on the field. I would love to have him back, but I will continue to support him in any way I can.”

Despite having a draft in his first year, Hilt does not think the program’s pitching success is going to stop any time soon.  

“I knew Art was the front runner because of his size and velocity,” said Hilt. “Baldwin and Sittinger, yes, I do think they will go as well. Sittinger is young, he will only be a junior and then Baldwin with his surgery, but I think they both have a big chance of getting drafted.

Warren is currently living in Arizona playing in the rookie level and is assigned to short season A which is mainly for guys who just got drafted.

“The experience is overwhelming,” said Warren. “I am learning something new every day. The organization has so many rules and ways of doing things that are so different from high school and college.  I am fined for things like using my phone, missing meetings or not weighing in before or after practice.”

Warren and his teammates follow a strict practice and game schedule every day from about nine in the morning until nine at night.

Recently, Warren found out he had developed tendonitis in his shoulder so he has not been able to play in the games, although he has been working with the trainers and coaching staff to ensure a quick recovery. 

There has not been an athlete drafted from AU baseball since 1989. Warren’s recruitment and the possibility of more drafts occurring within the next few years will allow for an increase in publicity for the university and the athletic department.

“We are so proud of Art,” said Al King, Ashland’s Athletic Director. “He had some physical ailments, so for him to come back and then get drafted is an amazing feat for him and of course it is always great for our program for one of our players to get drafted.” 

Other pitchers including senior Jake Baldwin and Junior Brandon Stinger could be next on the list for the MLB draft.

“Like I said, it’s a game of chance,” said Warren. “My teammates all have an equal chance to get drafted next season and I hope they do get that experience because for me putting on that Mariners jersey is truly a blessing.”