Baseball University

Coach Ryan Koch

Founder of Baseball University of the Blue Ridge

n Phone: 828-458-1794

X: @BBUniversityWNC

Why Baseball University of the Blue Ridge?

After working in "Big Recruiting" for 5 Years during the 2000's, I was left jaded by the Industry as I felt it didn't serve the growth of The Game, and instead prioritized profit at the cost of damaging the structure & quality of genuine Community-centered Baseball organizations. My own playing career was cut short in college by injury and circumstances, but I held on to the game by finding my footing through Scouting and Coaching. Although I needed to walk away from "Big Recruiting," it was where I got my start in the High School Scouting realm, and I was blessed to be able to learn from several MLB Scouts, Former Professional Players, and High-Level College Coaches in my early 20's.

Next, I started a career in Teaching and Coaching. In this role, I continued to help High School and Youth Players with their College Recruiting & Player Development for a decade. In my Coaching Positions, I educated families on the recruiting process and showed them how to access free information in their search for schools that fit them academically and athletically. Ultimately, I made sure my players saved money by avoiding poor investments in the Showcase & Recruiting market while encouraging them to make wise decisions through good communication and being realistic in their pursuits.

During the COVID pandemic of 2020, high school recruits found themselves facing difficult circumstances not only with the cancellation of their season but with the recruiting rule changes that followed. With the encouragement and support of many of our WNC High School Coaches, I decided 2020 was the perfect time to leave teaching and start Baseball University of the Blue Ridge as a means to support, grow, and promote baseball in our WNC communities.

Since then, Baseball University of the Blue Ridge has helped place over 175 College Commits by offering Prospect Filmings, Recruiting Advising Programs, the WNC Scout & Streaming Series Broadcasts, the WNC College Tour Series, and more! We want to see High School Baseball Thrive and Baseball University wants to be WNC's #1 Choice for College Recruiting Advising, Scouting, & College Placement.

Scouting Background

2024 - Present: Associate Scout for the Los Angeles Dodgers

2005 - 2009: Former "Big Recruiting" Employee for one of Nation's "Leading" Recruiting & Scouting Services

Coaching Background

2023: Summer Collegiate Pitching Coach Marion Swamp Foxes

2022 - 2023: Pitching Coach Christ School

2020 - 2022: Pitching Coach North Henderson High School

2020 - Present: Founder & Head Coach of Edneyville Yellow Jackets Baseball Club, Youth Travel/Player Development 501c

2014 - 2020: Middle School Head Coach for Cane Creek & Apple Valley

2011 - 2013: Assistant Coach Aberdeen High School (MD)

Teaching Background

-10 Years Teaching Middle School English (MD & NC)

-Master of Arts in Teaching Degree

Playing Background

-High School All Central Maryland Conference 2001

-1 Year at Ohio Northern University (D3)

-4 Years in South Penn League (SemiPro) - 2007 All Star Game MVP