Orioles draft Lakewood Ranch catcher

LAKEWOOD RANCH — Years of hard work and dedication have finally paid off for Lakewood Ranch High standout catcher Michael Ohlman.

The Baltimore Orioles selected Ohlman with the 326th pick (11th round) of the Major League Baseball 2009 First-Year Player Draft June 10. Ohlman was with his mother, Tracy,  when he learned the good news.

“I’m probably the most excited I’ve been in my whole life … equal to signing with (the University of) Miami,” Ohlman said. “This has been a childhood dream of mine since I knew what baseball was. This whole experience has been amazing.”

Ohlman has been perfecting his game since he was 5 years old. His strong work ethic and dedication to the  game paid dividends this past November when Ohlman signed his letter of intent to play baseball for Miami — a dream he has harbored since he was a little kid.

“He’s an example to all of our younger athletes about what can happen when you commit your life to something,” Lakewood coach Mike Mullen said. “He committed his life to baseball- it doesn’t happen by itself.”

During his senior season, Ohlman posted a .550 batting average with 22 RBIs, 30 walks, 23 stolen bases and three homeruns. Ohlman plans to take some time to just sit back and enjoy the moment before deciding whether or not he’ll enter into Baltimore’s system or play for the Hurricanes.

“Everything has fallen into place,” Ohlman said.

 Read our recent in-depth story on Michael Ohlman here.