Why Jack Ohman Stayed at Yale: 2026 MLB Draft Prospect

This article profiles Yale pitcher Jack Ohman, tracing his unlikely rise from anonymity to national prominence. It explores the technical upgrades that fueled his breakout season and what his development means for Yale and the Ivy League both on the field and off it.

From Under-the-Radar to Ivy League Standout

Jack Ohman, a 20-year-old right-hander at Yale, went from relative obscurity to national attention after a dominant freshman season. He posted a 1.34 ERA over 73 2/3 innings and put together a stunning 35 1/3-inning scoreless streak.

Despite heavy recruiting and transfer interest, with agents and top programs chasing him, Ohman stayed at Yale. Even a Power 4 school tried to lure his high school coach with incentives, but Ohman’s loyalty to his teammates and coaches kept him in New Haven.

He was mostly a position player in high school, pitching only occasionally. That changed at Yale, where he added velocity—regularly hitting the mid-90s—and completely overhauled his delivery.

He ditched a loopy leg kick for a more efficient, repeatable motion. With better conditioning and Division I training, he started missing bats in ways he never had before.

Pitching coach Chris Wojick played a pivotal role. Wojick helped him swap out a so-so curveball for a sharper slider—something Ohman picked up in just a few minutes—and paired it with a fastball that jumped thanks to elite vertical break.

How Ohman Transformed on the Mound

Ohman’s leap from the bottom of the fall roster to a weekend starter happened through a series of breakthrough moments. First, he nailed a relief outing, then seized an unexpected spot start that locked him into Yale’s rotation.

His mix of velocity, control, and a much-improved breaking ball gave him a big-league-style arsenal. By the end of the season, he looked like a pitcher who could miss bats and chew up innings—a rare feat for a first-year arm at a program like Yale.

Season Highlights and Individual Accolades

Throughout his freshman year, Ohman racked up national recognitions. He took home Ivy League Pitcher of the Year, earned Perfect Game Freshman Pitcher of the Year, and landed on the Freshman All-American team.

His profile soared beyond college baseball. Ohman became a Golden Spikes semifinalist and cracked the top 10 on Baseball America’s 2027 draft board, which says a lot about his professional potential.

The buzz wasn’t just about stats. It captured the way college baseball now turns breakout players into national stories—stories about athleticism, resilience, and next-level promise.

Ohman’s combination of velocity, a high-spin slider, and a fastball with nasty vertical break made him the kind of pitcher who can change a program’s fortunes in a single season.

Mentors, Loyalty, and the Pressure of NIL

Ohman’s rise didn’t happen in a vacuum. His coaches, especially Chris Wojick, were crucial in refining his mechanics and pitch mix.

Off the field, Ohman majors in economics and counts Yale alumnus Theo Epstein as a mentor—a front-office legend in his own right. The journey hasn’t been without headaches, though.

Transfer and NIL offers came fast and heavy. Yale’s staff and his family even talked about changing his phone number, and one Power 4 program reportedly tried to buy his high school coach’s loyalty with money and job promises.

Still, Ohman kept his focus on development and loyalty to Yale. He sees these college years as a bridge toward a possible front-office career in baseball, which feels pretty smart to me.

Heading into his sophomore season, Ohman made a statement. He struck out 10 batters in five innings during his debut, showing he’s not done improving.

He’s also hinted at adding a kick change to his arsenal, which could push his game even further. The goal? Prove he’s not just a one-year wonder, but a durable, high-impact arm for Yale’s rotation.

What Ohman Means for Yale and the Ivy League

With Ohman at the top of the rotation, Yale stands as a league favorite alongside Columbia in the Ivy title race. His presence gives the Bulldogs a real one-two punch and raises the program’s ceiling in a conference that values depth and development.

Ohman’s blend of academic drive, professional ambition, and elite on-field performance makes him a classic Ivy League story. Fans who love hard work, loyalty, and the idea of turning potential into results can’t help but root for him.

What to Watch Next

• Sophomore season trajectory: Will Ohman keep growing and turn into a draft-eligible ace for Ivy League teams?
• Expanded repertoire: How fast can the kick-change start working alongside his slider and that vertical-breed fastball?
• Off-field leadership: Will his background in economics and that Epstein mentorship shape how he approaches team culture or maybe even front-office gigs?
• Team success: Can Yale ride Ohman’s breakout to actually challenge for the conference title, maybe even go further?
• Transfer and NIL dynamics: What does Ohman’s path say about sticking with your team versus chasing new opportunities as your profile rises?

Jack Ohman’s story isn’t just about a breakout season. It’s a glimpse at how a young pitcher can blend velocity, sharpness, and a sharp mind into something that could change the game for an Ivy League program—or maybe even beyond.

 
Here is the source article for this story: College baseball 2026: Why Jack Ohman chose to stay at Yale