Slippery Rock High baseball star Sal Mineo looks to continue stellar career at Ohio State
COLUMBUS, Ohio — After putting the finishing touches on a productive high school career, Sal Mineo is already working on the next chapter of his baseball journey at Ohio State.
The Slippery Rock High School graduate was recently named Region 2, District 10 Player of the Year. The center fielder hit .500 on the season with four home runs, six doubles and five triples. He stole 24 bases as well.
On the mound, Mineo fashioned a 0.54 earned run average, including a no-hitter against Titusville in his only start. He was used as a late-inning relief pitcher otherwise.
“This is a kid who can do everything on the baseball field,” Slippery Rock coach Tyler Friel said. “He steals bases, hit for tremendous power this year, plays excellent defense. ... He’s got all the tools to be a Power 5 outfielder in college.”
Mineo has made first team all-region twice in high school. He was first-team All-District 10 last year as well.
“I’m coming off my best season, which I think shows the hard work I put in,” he said. “I committed (to Ohio State) early, and a lot of guys who sign early slack off a bit their final high school year.
“I played another year of summer ball for Team Ohio in Cleveland. I lifted weights and got stronger. That made a big difference in my power numbers this past year.”
Mineo is at Ohio State now. He’s taking two classes a week, lifts weights three times a week and gets together with the Buckeyes’ other incoming freshmen to hit in the batting cages and get on Ohio State’s field for some practice.
The coach who recruited Mineo — Bill Mosiello — left the Buckeyes after this season to take the head coaching job at TCU. He was 60-51 overall in two seasons at Ohio State, 21-27 in Big Ten play. He led the Buckeyes to the Big Ten Tournament for the program’s first time since 2019.
“I see this as an opportunity,” Mineo said. “When Coach left, a lot of outfielders there entered the transfer portal. There are spots to be had, and I’m doing everything I can to prove myself and land a starting spot. That’s my goal.”
Ohio State’s new head baseball coach is Justin Haire, who won five consecutive Big South regular season titles and four conference tournament championships as head coach at Campbell University. He won 317 games in 10 years at Campbell.
“Sal would rather play the outfield and play every day if he had his choice,” Friel said. “But I think he could help them on the mound as well.”
Mineo is preparing for that possibility.
“My fastball is between 88 and 90 miles per hour,” he said. “I’ve got a slider, sinker and changeup, too. Coach Haire had a two-way player at Campbell, so I know he’s open to that.
“I’ve been throwing two or three days a week, doing bullpen four days a week on my own. I just want to keep my options open.”
Mineo was joined on the first team All-Region 2, District 10 team by Rockets catcher Nolan Darr and outfielder Ryan Double. Shortstop Isaac McCandless and outfielder Dominick Zandi made second team.
“All of those players were seniors, true program guys,” Friel said. “They were all about the team, and with me being a first-year coach, helped me when I needed it. I’ll miss all of them.”
