Star recruit spurns IU, chooses Red Sox

Now, IU baseball is experiencing the downside of becoming a national title contender.

Star recruit Josh Ockimey was selected in the fifth round of the MLB draft this past weekend by the Boston Red Sox. The first baseman had the option of honoring his commitment of coming to IU, or play for the Red Sox Farm system immediately.

Ockimey announced via his Twitter account Wednesday night he would begin his professional career, and he would not be coming to Bloomington.

"Made my decision to start my professional career with the Red Sox," he tweeted. "I want to thank @HoosierBaseball for the recruiting and best wishes."

@HoosierBaseball is the Twitter handle of IU Coach Tracy Smith. Smith had called the 6-foot-4, 220 pound slugger "the next Schwarber," referencing IU catcher Kyle Schwarber, who went No. 4 overall to the Chicago Cubs in the draft.

Ockimey could have been the team's heir to first base, after first baseman Sam Travis was drafted in the second round by the Red Sox this past weekend.

Coming off of the back-to-back best seasons in IU baseball history, the program's profile has risen and they are attracting more heralded recruits.

But the more heralded recruits go higher in the draft, and the higher they go, the more likely they will sign professionally.

Ockimey was not the only Hoosier recruit to be drafted. Three other signees were drafted. A pair of outfielders in Logan Sowers and Larry Chrisler went in the 31st and 36th round, respectively. Pitching recruit Hunter Hart went in the 37th round.

Sowers has tweeted he is coming to Bloomington to play for IU. Chrisler and Hart have yet to make an announcement via social media, but being drafted in the lower rounds, they are expected to enroll at IU.