The web page has turned to a brand new chapter in TJ Schuyler’s baseball story.
Now closed, however not quickly forgotten, is Schuyler’s four-year varsity profession at Antioch throughout which he grew to dominate as a hitter, catcher and pitcher.
Schuyler’s first step ahead concerned his arrival at Indiana on June 13.
“Right now, I’m planning on being at IU, getting stronger and better, and if something happens, I’ll make a decision,” he mentioned. “At the end of the day, all I really want is to stay in baseball as long as I can.”
The “something” is listening to his title known as throughout the MLB draft, which begins July 9. That’s an actual chance, given the talents he continued to show this season.
Schuyler, the 2023 News-Sun Baseball Player of the Year, hit .427 with a .541 on-base proportion, three dwelling runs, 31 runs scored, 25 RBIs, 21 walks and 22 stolen bases for the Sequoits (20-14-1). When he wasn’t catching, he was on the mound, the place he compiled a 2.17 ERA, 70 strikeouts and simply eight walks in 48 innings.
“He flat out dominated every day out, and he can literally do it all,” Antioch coach Frank Fracek mentioned. “He’s a big guy physically but still a kid. What’s scary is that he hasn’t come close to getting his grown man strength.”
Getting nearer to that is likely one of the important objectives of the 6-foot-2 Schuyler’s summer season exercises at Indiana, and the promise of further bodily maturation is among the many causes he’s such an intriguing professional prospect. He has been on MLB scouts’ radar for years, and it was not unusual for them to attend Antioch video games this season.
“Sometimes they would tell you they were coming, but it was the funniest when they didn’t,” Schuyler mentioned. “I’d go up for an at-bat and look over and see a bunch of people with their phones out taping me.”
Schuyler has additionally participated in formal exercises, whether or not he hosted scouts at hitting classes at Antioch or was invited to professional amenities, like on current journeys to the San Diego Padres’ High-A affiliate in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and to Kansas City’s Kauffman Stadium.
Schuyler reportedly hit 95 mph together with his fastball on the latter go to.
“It’s been a cool process over the last year and a half,” he mentioned. “You get to compete against other top guys and think, ‘This could possibly be my future.’”
If Schuyler is picked within the draft subsequent month, he’ll lean on his household and a community of others within the trade to make an knowledgeable determination.
“I’ll get good input, and we’ll sit down and weigh the pros and cons — and make a mature decision about my future,” he mentioned.
One of Schuyler’s coaches together with his Hitters Baseball journey program is Tom Kelenic, who navigated the draft course of together with his oldest son, Jarred, the primary highschool participant picked in 2018. Jarred Kelenic performs for the Seattle Mariners.
So Tom Kelenic is aware of in regards to the many elements that go into making the choice Schuyler could face.
“It’s definitely a business,” Kelenic mentioned. “It’s tough for a family that’s never experienced the industry, from agents to the draft to the minor leagues. Everyone always talks about the ups and downs of playing, but there are twice as many ups and downs outside of the game.”
Schuyler is slated to catch and pitch at Indiana. For now, although, he’s working with Indiana’s energy and conditioning employees to assist maximize his physique’s potential.
Schuyler has additionally taken a liking to a few of the trappings of big-time faculty sports activities.
“My glove snapped, so I gave it to someone who gave me a new one while that one is being fixed,” he mentioned. “On the second day here, we got all-new gear, and having your own locker is pretty cool.”
Someone with a singular perspective on Schuyler is fellow Indiana freshman Brayden Bakes, who starred at Huntley.
Schuyler and Bakes performed with one another periodically throughout earlier summers, and so they’re changing into acquainted with faculty life collectively.
Bakes additionally witnessed a classic Schuyler efficiency in Antioch’s 4-3 win in opposition to Huntley on May 20. Schuyler pitched a gem and hit two dwelling runs.
“He basically beat our team single-handedly,” Bakes recalled. “There were a lot of swings and misses from a team with a lot of D-I guys. And he obviously hits for power too. He definitely turned some heads that day.”
But that’s not what resonated most with Fracek.
“The most impressive thing about TJ is his work ethic,” Fracek mentioned. “He basically doesn’t stop working. He’s so quiet and humble, and for our young guys to see that was really valuable.”
Steve Reaven is a contract reporter for the News-Sun.
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Source: www.bostonherald.com