Brian Koelling

Koelling was initially raised in Delhi, Ohio. His mother was a teacher and his father was a pipefitter. As a child, he moved to Miami Heights, Ohio. He attended Taylor High School where he played baseball and football as a quarterback. He hoped to play college football at Ohio State but did not receive a scholarship offer and chose instead to play college baseball as a shortstop at Bowling Green.
Koelling was drafted by the Cincinnati Reds in the 14th round of the 1991 Major League Baseball draft. He began his professional career with the Billings Mustangs where he hit .353 before being promoted to Cedar Rapids. As a minor leaguer, Koelling had to transition from shortstop to second base because he was blocked at shortstop by both Barry Larkin and Pokey Reese. Koelling made his Major League debut on August 21, 1993 against the Montreal Expos at Riverfront Stadium; he started at second ba…