2024 RHP Kellan Klosterman Goes In-Depth on Notre Dame Commitment
Notre Dame baseball picked up a big commitment last week from 2024 Moeller High School (Ohio) RHP Kellan Klosterman.
The 6-foot-2, 165-pounder has hit 90 mph with his fastball and has a curve and slider in his arsenal, which made him coveted by Notre Dame and several Midwest programs.
Klosterman took his visits and in the end, Notre Dame was an easy decision.
"When I was looking at all my options and this is compared to any school in the country, you don't get a better combination of school and baseball than Notre Dame,” Klosterman told ISD. "The degree I'm going to end up with will set me up so well for life. The coaching staff is going to put their all into me to help me try to become a Major League player and help me with all my aspirations in baseball.
"If that doesn't work out, I'll have a Top 20 degree and a chance to have a great life. It was really a life decision for me."
Another factor positive for the Cincinnati native was that Moeller, a private Catholic all-boys school, had many similarities to Notre Dame.
Klosterman felt life in South Bend would be a smooth transition as he’s coming from a similar environment and there wouldn’t be a phase of adapting to something completely different than what he does every day.
"I talked a lot with my mom about it,” said Klosterman. “It's really similar. I honestly feel it will be a smooth transition in that regard. A lot of things we do at Moeller are based off Notre Dame. There is kind of a pipeline between Moeller and Notre Dame as it relates to students and the ideas we pass around."
Notre Dame’s baseball staff also quickly made an impression on Klosterman with their energy, but also going above and beyond with personal touches during his recruitment.
"I love the energy they give off,” Klosterman explained. “In my eyes, they should pick up right where the other staff left off. They've had success at all the places they've been and they're just great humans.
"When I compare them to other schools recruiting me, Notre Dame was the only one to send handwritten letters. I wasn't used to seeing that, but when I see the Notre Dame letters pop up in the mail, it meant something else."
Irish pitching coach Seth Voltz is considered a rising star and connected with Klosterman on several levels.
Voltz’s straightforward approach was appreciated, but Klosterman also gravitated to the Notre Dame assistant being more than open to new ideas.
“I'm a guy who really likes to dig in deep and he has shown his ability to do that,” stated Klosterman. “We had a PowerPoint where he went over his pitching development and he was very knowledgeable. It'll be pretty synergistic. I feel it's two good minds collaborating and it will end in a good result for both of us."
When it comes to playing time, the Moeller star wants to play early, but he also wants to earn his mound time.
"I'm going to try to get on the field as early as possible, but if that doesn't happen, I'm OK with that too,” Klosterman said. “I'm going to be the best at whatever I do. If I get zero innings, my goal is going to be the best bench guy possible, or if I lead the team innings, nothing will change. I'm still going to bring that same energy and intensity every day. I have to earn that."
Voltz challenges his pitchers in the offseason and keeps a running tally of strikes thrown, runners held and much more. It’s a year-long competition for his pitchers and that’s exactly what Klosterman was looking for in a coach.
“If you're at the top of that leaderboard, you're going to get a chance to play,” stated Klosterman. "I just have to do what I can control and let that fall into place. I prefer not to have it handed to me or the recruiting pitch where they say you're going to play as a freshman. You can say that to every person and then a graduate player on the roster. You have to earn it.
"That's what's appealing to me. I like that challenge and it will only make me better."
All in all, Klosterman couldn’t be happier with his decision and now the tough part begins - waiting to get on campus, which will be a few more years for the Ohio native.
“I was down to Notre Dame and Iowa,” said Klosterman. “What stuck out to me about Notre Dame was the degree. I think once I went there on my visit, I knew in my heart it was the right spot. I wanted to confirm that belief after going on my other visits and I really felt Notre Dame is the place I'm going to have the best shot to succeed not only as a baseball player, but in life.
"I know it's two years away, but I'm excited to get on campus."
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