Photo Credit: Daniel De Mato
Like the old cliche goes, “sometimes you have to take a step back to go forward.”
Tyler Osik, son of 10-year Major League veteran Keith Osik, may have taken the road less traveled but he certainly appears to have made the correct decision by attending Chipola Community College.
The 2014 graduate of Shoreham-Wading River is off to a .311/.429/.489 start to the season with two HR and nine RBI through 45 at bats.
While it may not be first on many people’s list of colleges to attend, the little-known Community College located in Marianna, Fla, has produced Major League manager Buck Showalter, as well as Jose Bautista, Russell Martin, Matt Gamel and Adam Loewen.
“I really like it,” said the third baseman. “The coaching staff is great and our talent is ridiculous,” he said.
He noted that their SS will be playing at NC State next season, their second baseman is headed to Auburn, they have pitchers headed to South Alabama and Troy, while their CF is committed to the University of Miami.
Speaking of the University of Miami, his best friend from HS, Nick Bottari, went there for a season. We wrote about him in the past, and he is currently at Hofstra University.
Could that be a fit for Osik?
While he wouldn’t comment on the specifics, he did admit that he wouldn’t rule out a return home.
In the meantime, he will continue to put his best foot forward for the Indians of Chipola College. The team is off to a terrific 16-5 start to the season and much of that is due to their prodigious power. They have a .501 slugging percentage as a team with 25 home runs already.
Keep an eye on Osik as a name to watch for the MLB Draft
Rob
Good luck brother. Kick butt and stay focused. Remember, you will never see a rainbow without rain.