Eastern Michigan Athletics
Baseball
Achter, A.J.
A.J. Achter
- Title:
- Assistant Coach
- Email:
- aachter@emich.edu
- Phone:
- 734.487.0315
Entering his fourth season as part of the EMU baseball program is pitching coach A.J. Achter, who was named an assistant coach prior to the 2018 season. A former MLB hurler, Achter has helped guide EMU pitchers to newfound success during his time in Ypsilanti.
The 2020 season consisted of just 14 games due to the cancellation of the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. EMU was 1-13 when the season was called. On the mound, Justin Meis highlighted Eastern’s pitching efforts, who led EMU with four starts, 20.2 innings pitched, and 29 strikeouts.
Achter is credited with helping to compile Eastern’s 2019 recruiting class, which includes multiple high-level pitchers. Most notably, Achter helped land freshman pitcher Cameron Wagoner, who was the 22nd round pick of the Texas Rangers in the 2019 MLB Draft.
In 2019, Achter guided Scott Granzotto to a career-best season on the bump. The sophomore southpaw appeared in 12 games, making nine starts in the mound, before being shut down due to injury. He led the team in strikeouts (47), ERA (3.88), and complete games (1). Granzotto also tossed a complete game win against Bowling Green, April 5, becoming the first Eagle to throw a complete game since 2017, and earned Mid-American Conference Pitcher the Week recognition for his efforts.
Achter was the only coach on a Division I baseball staff in the state of Michigan to have prior MLB playing experience, while being just one of two in the Mid-American Conference, joining Kent State Head Coach Jeff Duncan. As of 2019, there are just four coaches is the MAC with MLB playing experience.
A native of Toledo, Ohio, Achter spent eight years in professional baseball, including three seasons in the big leagues with the Minnesota Twins (2014-15) and Los Angeles Angels (2016). Most recently, Achter was in the minor league system of the Detroit Tigers during the 2017 season. In his three-year MLB career, the right-handed pitcher went 2-1 with a 3.92 ERA in 62.0 innings, while striking out 33.
In his minor league career, Achter was a four-time all-star in the Twins' minor league system, including twice at the AAA level with the Rochester Red Wings. In eight seasons in the minors, Achter racked up 24 wins while pitching to a 3.11 ERA and tallying 442 strikeouts.
Achter was drafted out of Michigan State University in the 46th round of the 2010 draft after spending three seasons as a starting pitcher for the Spartans. Achter and Roof were teammates on the 2008 and 2009 teams while at MSU. A two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, Achter had an all-star season in the Cape Cod League in the summer of 2010, which led to him signing with the Twins and starting his professional career.
A 2007 graduate of Oregon Clay High School, Achter was a standout athlete for the Eagles, lettering in baseball, basketball, and football. He was a First Team All-Ohio selection on the diamond, as well as being named the Toledo City League Player of the Year in 2007. He gained national recognition by Baseball America, being tabbed as their No. 5 prospect in the state of Ohio.
Achter is the son of Rod and Cindy Achter. His father played football at the University of Toledo, and was eventually drafted into the NFL by the Minnesota Vikings, while also playing for the Cincinnati Bengals and New York Jets. He has two siblings, a sister, Amanda, and a brother, Austin. Austin played a season of baseball at Ohio State University.
Achter resides in Brighton with his wife, Kaiti, an EMU alumnus, as well as their dog, Izzy. The couple’s first child, Ruby, was born on May 23, 2019. Ruby can often be spotted spending the day with dad inside his Convocation Center office.
The 2020 season consisted of just 14 games due to the cancellation of the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak. EMU was 1-13 when the season was called. On the mound, Justin Meis highlighted Eastern’s pitching efforts, who led EMU with four starts, 20.2 innings pitched, and 29 strikeouts.
Achter is credited with helping to compile Eastern’s 2019 recruiting class, which includes multiple high-level pitchers. Most notably, Achter helped land freshman pitcher Cameron Wagoner, who was the 22nd round pick of the Texas Rangers in the 2019 MLB Draft.
In 2019, Achter guided Scott Granzotto to a career-best season on the bump. The sophomore southpaw appeared in 12 games, making nine starts in the mound, before being shut down due to injury. He led the team in strikeouts (47), ERA (3.88), and complete games (1). Granzotto also tossed a complete game win against Bowling Green, April 5, becoming the first Eagle to throw a complete game since 2017, and earned Mid-American Conference Pitcher the Week recognition for his efforts.
Achter was the only coach on a Division I baseball staff in the state of Michigan to have prior MLB playing experience, while being just one of two in the Mid-American Conference, joining Kent State Head Coach Jeff Duncan. As of 2019, there are just four coaches is the MAC with MLB playing experience.
A native of Toledo, Ohio, Achter spent eight years in professional baseball, including three seasons in the big leagues with the Minnesota Twins (2014-15) and Los Angeles Angels (2016). Most recently, Achter was in the minor league system of the Detroit Tigers during the 2017 season. In his three-year MLB career, the right-handed pitcher went 2-1 with a 3.92 ERA in 62.0 innings, while striking out 33.
In his minor league career, Achter was a four-time all-star in the Twins' minor league system, including twice at the AAA level with the Rochester Red Wings. In eight seasons in the minors, Achter racked up 24 wins while pitching to a 3.11 ERA and tallying 442 strikeouts.
Achter was drafted out of Michigan State University in the 46th round of the 2010 draft after spending three seasons as a starting pitcher for the Spartans. Achter and Roof were teammates on the 2008 and 2009 teams while at MSU. A two-time Academic All-Big Ten selection, Achter had an all-star season in the Cape Cod League in the summer of 2010, which led to him signing with the Twins and starting his professional career.
A 2007 graduate of Oregon Clay High School, Achter was a standout athlete for the Eagles, lettering in baseball, basketball, and football. He was a First Team All-Ohio selection on the diamond, as well as being named the Toledo City League Player of the Year in 2007. He gained national recognition by Baseball America, being tabbed as their No. 5 prospect in the state of Ohio.
Achter is the son of Rod and Cindy Achter. His father played football at the University of Toledo, and was eventually drafted into the NFL by the Minnesota Vikings, while also playing for the Cincinnati Bengals and New York Jets. He has two siblings, a sister, Amanda, and a brother, Austin. Austin played a season of baseball at Ohio State University.
Achter resides in Brighton with his wife, Kaiti, an EMU alumnus, as well as their dog, Izzy. The couple’s first child, Ruby, was born on May 23, 2019. Ruby can often be spotted spending the day with dad inside his Convocation Center office.
The A.J. Achter File
Name: A.J. Achter
Hometown: Oregon, Ohio - Clay High School
College: Michigan State University (2008-10)
Professional Experience
Year Team/School Position
2018-Pres. Eastern Michigan University Assistant Coach
2017 Erie SeaWolves (Tigers MILB System) Player
2016 Los Angeles Angels Player
2014-15 Minnesota Twins Player
2010-13 Twins Minor League System Player
2008-10 Michigan State University Player
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