by Michael Leonard
Sports Editor
From the moment he stepped on the high school field, former Nordonia pitcher Tyler Tufts was something special.
Tufts' big fastball and intimidating style caught the interest of Indiana University, where he accepted a baseball scholarship after graduating Nordonia in 2005. Just finishing his junior season, Tufts has been a starting pitcher since his freshman year.
Now, the Sagamore Hills native has an opportunity to move on to baseball's highest level.
Tufts was drafted by the Texas Rangers on day two of the Major League Baseball Draft June 6. He was selected in the 32nd round as pick No. 963.
Tufts said he knew some MLB clubs had interest in him.
"I thought I had a really good chance of being drafted," Tufts said. "I didn't think that it was going to be the Rangers, because I never heard from them. They never gave me a questionnaire or anything. When my name popped up, it was a bit of a shock."
Tufts said he signed with the Rangers June 14, forgoing his senior season at Indiana.
"The money was right and I've got three semesters left at Indiana," Tufts said. "My family decided it would be a smart decision to turn professional."
Tufts said he was not allowed to discuss financial terms of his contract with the Rangers. However, he did note the Rangers would pay his college bills if he decided to return to Indiana.
Tufts said his first stop would be the AZL Rangers of the Arizona League, the club's Rookie level minor-league affiliate. He was set to leave for Arizona June 16.
"I'm really excited, Tufts said. "I'm sure it will be a whole new atmosphere down there with the heat. I'm looking forward to it a lot, actually."
The short-season AZL Rangers are scheduled to open their season June 22 against the AZL Royals.
Tufts said the Rangers have not told him if they wish to keep his as a starter or a relief pitcher. Phone calls to the Rangers front office were not returned.
During his junior season at Indiana, Tufts went 6-5 with a 5.65 earned run average. He made 14 appearances and 13 starts, including four complete games.
Tufts led the Hooisers with 86 innings pitches, allowing 54 earned runs and 129 hits. He finished with 52 strikeouts and 32 walks on the season.
According to Hooisers head coach Tracy Smith, Tufts' development has continued throughout his college career.
"Every year, Tyler has gotten better," Smith said. "The athleticism is there and the arm is there. When you've got big athletes with the tools to coach, it makes my job easy.
"He still has a lot of room for improvement," Smith added. "I think people are going to see how he develops his secondary pitch. That may be the difference between where he was drafted this year and possibly next year."
Smith said Tufts' fastball is his "out" pitch, noting that pitchers with a 93 mph fastball are rare. He noted Tufts was working on a split-finger fastball and a slider and that his last five outings were his best as a Hooiser.
Smith said Tufts "opened some eyes" in his final game of the season, as he threw a complete game to get a 14-7 win over Illinois in the Big Ten Tournament May 23.
"My time at Indiana has been great," Tufts said. "The baseball has been fantastic."
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