Wooster High School grad Pettorini signs with Phillies
Tyler Pettorini
All Tyler Pettorini wanted was an opportunity to play professional baseball. The Philadelphia Phillies organization is giving that to him.
After following all 20 rounds of the 2025 MLB Draft on July 13-14, the Wooster High School and Ohio State product was understandably “bummed” to not hear his name called.
However, about 10 minutes after the draft ended, a scout from the Phillies phoned Pettorini. The Phillies offered to sign him as an undrafted free agent, and a lifelong dream was realized in an instant.
“There’s nothing to be disappointed about,” said Pettorini, a 2021 Wooster High School graduate. “All I wanted was a chance, and I got one. Yeah, I’m just happy I get to keep playing baseball.”
The 6-foot, 180-pound infielder will fly to Clearwater, Florida, the Phillies’ spring training home since 1947, this weekend. Pettorini will meet with team officials, undergo a physical and learn which Minor League team he will be assigned to.
The son of Tim Pettorini Jr. and Tina Pettorini has been playing baseball almost every day of the spring and summer for as long as he can remember. When he got older, he trained nearly year round.
When Tyler Pettorini puts on a Minor League uniform, it won’t matter in his mind if he was a high draft pick or free-agent signee. He will simply cherish the opportunity to compete and perform.
“Pretty much since I was 6 or 7 years old, I’ve been at it about five or six days a week, probably seven days, with my dad, constantly swinging,” Tyler Pettorini said, “swinging the heavy bat, ground balls and just working at trying to be the best I can be.”
Tim Pettorini Jr. did a lot of reminiscing after the Phillies inked his son. He laughed that he may have been a little too “gung-ho,” starting Tyler at age 3 in a Triway T-ball League — the only organization that would take such a young kid.
“I’ve accepted that I won’t get any work done today, and that’s fine,” said Tim Pettorini Jr., who was taking phone calls and answering texts from Tyler’s former coaches, teammates and family friends all day on July 15.
“With your first kid, you’re all into it,” Tim Pettorini Jr. said. “You’re doing things that, with a better perspective now with the third kid coming up, you wouldn’t, like starting T-ball at 3. He then played in Apple Creek and at (Wooster’s) Miller Field at 8 years old.
“He did several travel teams: IVL, Team Ohio, Release and also played for the Midland Braves too. It was quite a few hats and a lot of time and travel, but it’s certainly worth it when you get an opportunity to play at this level. I couldn’t be happier for him. He really deserves it.”
Tim Pettorini Sr., a retired Hall of Fame coach at The College of Wooster, is Tim’s dad and has been a great source of inspiration and knowledge for his grandson. Tim Pettorini Sr. was actually drafted out of Columbus Eastmoor High School by the Phillies and again after graduating from Bowling Green by the Padres (1973, 18th round). He opted to start a teaching and coaching career instead of signing with the Padres, who selected Dave Winfield first in their 1973 draft class.
“My family, father, mom, grandparents, everybody’s been a huge part,” Tyler Pettorini said, “aunts and uncles too. I’ve had three college coaching staffs, and they’ve all three been great. They’ve all helped me tremendously.”
Tyler also thanked Wooster High School coach Steve Young, his staff and former teammates.
“I love coach Young and loved playing at home,” said Tyler Pettorini, who started for Walsh Jesuit as a freshman before transferring to Wooster. “I thought (Wooster) was a great place to be.”
Tyler Pettorini batted .300 or better in three of his four seasons at Ohio State. He hit a team-best .319 in 2025, tied for the team lead with 10 home runs, and also recorded 45 RBIs and 10 stolen bases.
After finishing up with the Buckeyes in May, Pettorini batted .327 with two home runs and 16 RBIs for the West Virginia Black Bears in the Major League Baseball Draft League. He was picked to represent the MLBDL in an All-Star Game against the Cape Cod League’s best players at the New York Mets’ Citi Field on June 30.
The MLB Draft used to seemingly continue for as long as front office men were willing to phone in picks. Future Hall of Famer Mike Piazza was famously drafted in the 62nd round in 1988 as a favor to his father by then-manager Tommy Lasorda.
The draft was shortened to 20 rounds in 2021 after many Minor League teams were eliminated. With baseball more of an international game than ever, it’s a long shot to even be signed by an MLB organization in 2025.
It’s an even bigger long shot to make the majors. The last Wayne County graduate to reach the big leagues was right-handed pitcher Mike Birkbeck (Orrville, Class of 1979).
The last Wooster High School graduate to play for an MLB-affiliated Minor League team was Adam Rowe. The left-handed pitcher was a 20th-round pick of the Royals in 2004 out of Mount Vernon Nazarene and hurled at the Royals’ Single-A level.
Tyler Pettorini won’t back down against anyone. He’s confident his many attributes will continue to help him at the next level.
“I think my ability to hit velocity, speed, strength and arm will come into play,” said Tyler Pettorini, who also can play the outfield. “I’m just gonna continue working hard every day, just keep grinding.”