Tag: Ryan Lasko

Rutgers baseball: How is former-Scarlet Knight Ryan Lasko shaping up in the MiLB?

Ryan Lasko is going through an adjustment in the Oakland Athletics minor league system.

After getting drafted by the Oakland Athletics in Round 2 of the 2023 MLB Draft, former Rutgers centerfielder Ryan Lasko is very much finding his feet for Stockton Ports.

In his first season with the Athletics’ single A team, Lasko has registered a .138 batting average throughout his 29 at-bats early on this season. In seven games, the 6-foot, 190-pound outfielder recorded four hits, two RBIs, four walks, and one stolen base, logging a .242 on-base percentage.

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While with the Scarlet Knights, Lasko tied Rutgers’ single-season doubles record (24) in 2022 and received All-Big Ten First Team honors in 2023. In three seasons with Rutgers baseball, he registered a .314 batting average throughout his 641 at-bats. Lasko started 154 games for Rutgers, logging 201 hits, 38 home runs, 47 doubles, seven triples, and 135 RBIs.

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It is common for players to struggle early on in the minor leagues and the season is still very young. Lasko certainly showed the potential at Rutgers to take the next step and play at this level.

 

Rutgers baseball: Drew Conover signs with the Oakland A’s

Former Rutgers star Drew Conover signs with the Oakland A’s.

Former Rutgers star Drew Conover officially signed with the Oakland A’s on Tuesday. Conover was selected by the A’s with the 316 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft. Conover signed for $ 150,000.

While the New Jersey native only spent one year at Rutgers, he was an important arm. In 68 innings of work, Conover posted a 4.50 ERA while pitching out of the rotation and bullpen. He also struck out 83 batters and only allowed two home runs.

Due to his play, Conover earned 2023 All-Big Ten Third team honors. The talented right-hander has been stockpiling awards over the last year. He was named a Cape Cod League All-Star in 2022. Now he will be looking to build on his success in Oakland.

 

As Conover begins his professional career, he will have a familiar face in one of his Rutgers teammates joining him in Oakland. Ryan Lasko was taken in the second round of the draft and signed with the A’s on Sunday. Having Lasko by his side at the next level is one of the many reasons Conover is excited for the next chapter of his baseball career.

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“It’s awesome. I’m excited. Ready to get to work,” Conover told NJ Advance Media after he was selected. “Sticking together, like once you develop a friendship being teammates, it’s good to carry that on to the next level.”

During the 2023 campaign, Conover and Lasko were crucial to Rutgers success as they went 33-23 and 14-10 in conference play.

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Rutgers baseball: Ryan Lasko signs with the Oakland A’s

Ryan Lasko officially signed with the Oakland A’s.

Former Rutgers baseball player Ryan Lasko officially signed with Oakland A’s on Sunday.

Lasko and Drew Conover were both taken in last week’s draft by Oakland.

Last season, Lasko hit .330 and had 11 home runs for Rutgers. From Jackson, N.J., Lasko was the star player of a Rutgers baseball rebuild that has seen the program become one of the top teams in the Big Ten over the last two years.

Over the course of his three-year career at Rutgers, Lasko hit .314. He had 52 extra-base hits and 38 home runs. He is also strong defensively in the outfield.

During his final two seasons at Rutgers, Lasko was selected first-team All-Big Ten. In 2021 as a freshman, he was an all-freshman selection by the conference.

He was a second round pick of Oakland. Jim Callis was the first to report that Lasko had signed his professional contract:

 

Last season, Rutgers went 33-23 and 14-10 in the Big Ten.

Conover was selected in the eleventh round of the draft.

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Drew Conover is the Rutgers player selected in 2023 MLB Draft

Former Rutgers star Drew Conover heard his name called for the second time in the MLB Draft on Tuesday.

For the second time in the last three days, the Oakland A’s turned to Rutgers on Tuesday afternoon as they continued to build for the future. With the 316th pick in the MLB Draft, Oakland selected former Rutgers star Drew Conover.

In his only season as a Scarlet Knight, the New Jersey native posted a 4.50 ERA in 68 innings of work. In 17 appearances, 14 of which were starts, Conover struck out 83 batters. He proved to be a reliable arm as Rutgers had one of its best seasons in recent memory.

While Conover will join a new organization, he will have a familiar face to lean on in teammate Ryan Lasko who Oakland selected with the 41st pick in the draft.

“It’s awesome. I’m excited. Ready to get to work,” Conover told NJ Advance Media after he was selected. “Sticking together, like once you develop a friendship being teammates, it’s good to carry that on to the next level.”

Before transferring to Rutgers last season, Conover began his collegiate career at Seton Hall. He appeared in 23 games for the Pirates and posted a 2-2 record. In 41.1 innings, opponents hit .240 against him. After his time with the Pirates ended, he took his game to another level in Piscataway.

For Rutgers, Conover was a Third-Team All-Big Ten selection. That was partly due to the fact that he held opponents to a .197 batting average while only allowing two home runs. He will be looking to carry that success to the next level.

Over the last few days, the A’s have given many in Piscataway a reason to celebrate. As Conover and Lasko prepare to begin their professional careers, they will be watched closely as Rutgers fans worldwide root for their success.

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Former Rutgers star Ryan Lasko selected by the Oakland A’s in MLB Draft

Ryan Lasko is now part of the Oakland Athletics.

After weeks of anticipation, the MLB Draft finally began Sunday night. While players across the country saw their dreams come true, Piscataway had a reason to celebrate. The Oakland Athletics selected former Rutgers star Ryan Lasko with the No. 41 overall pick.

During his time as a Scarlet Knight, Lasko was a force at the plate as he finished his college career with a .314 batting average. The talented outfielder also drove in 135 runs and stole 35 bases. However, his defense is what caught the A’s eye.

“We love the athleticism,” A’s GM David Forst said of Lasko. “Middle-of-the-diamond player who just got better every year. Plus runner, plus outfield defense. Talk about highlights on defense. You can look up some of the plays he made crashing into the wall in center field. A guy that we think is on the up and really helps the athleticism in our system. I’m excited to see him play in person.”

In his final year at Rutgers, the New Jersey native was a First-Team All-Big Ten selection after hitting .330 with 11 home runs. His mix of power and speed will be valuable to an A’s team that is currently rebuilding and, in the near future will have a new home in Las Vegas.

Additionally, Lasko finished his college career with an impressive list of accolades. He was the first player in program history to be named to the All-Big Ten First Team twice. During his sophomore season, Lasko was a Rawlings Golden Spikes Award semifinalist. As a result, scouts kept a close eye on him over the last few months.

Entering the draft, Lasko was ranked as a top 100 prospect by MLB.com. He was the only Rutgers player selected Monday night and joined special company. Lasko became the highest-drafted Scarlet Knight since Todd Frazier was selected by the Cincinnati Reds with the 34th overall pick in 2007.

While Lasko will now be playing on the other side of the country, Rutgers fans in Piscataway who got to see him blossom into a star will be rooting for his success as he begins his professional career.

Which Scarlet Knight got ranked in the Top 100 College Prospects for the 2023 MLB Draft?

Rutgers outfielder Ryan Lasko is ranked among the 2023 Top 100 College Prospects heading into this year’s MLB Draft.

Outfielder Ryan Lasko is ranked among the 2023 Top 100 College Prospects heading into this year’s MLB Draft.

The 2023 MLB Draft is underway on Sunday, with day one including the first 70 selections, covering rounds one and two. According to Prospect Live, the Rutgers outfielder is ranked the No. 78 prospect in this year’s draft. Also, Lasko got ranked No. 89 in MLB’s Top 2023 Prospect Rankings, according to MLB.com.

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The New Jersey native from Jackson has made an immediate impact with the Scarlet Knights. Lasko has grown into one of the top outfielders in the nation since he joined the Scarlet Knights in 2021. With three years with Rutgers, Lasko developed into a top MLB prospect. He is a run producer with solid power. Also, he has a strong arm and can cover ground in the outfield with great instincts.

The 6-foot 190 pounds prospect has a career batting average of .314 with Rutgers baseball. In 156 games played, Lasko recorded 201 hits, 47 doubles, 38 home runs, 135 RBIs, and 120 strikeouts. Lasko received All-Big Ten First Team honors in 2022 and 2023. Also, he tied Rutgers’ single-season doubles record (24) in 2022.

All signs point to Lasko being taken on Monday with a third-round projection. Lasko is projected to be the first Scarlet Knight off the board, with right-handed pitcher Drew Conover behind him. Conover is ranked the No. 247 (Prosect Live) and No. 220 (MLB.com) prospect in this year’s draft.

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MLB draft prospect Ryan Lasko says goodbye to Rutgers

Ryan Lasko is set to leave Rutgers baseball as one of the best players in program history.

As the 2023 campaign came to an end for Rutgers baseball, it marked the end of an era. Next season the roster will look very different as a few players, such as Ryan Lasko, could also hear their names called in the MLB Draft this summer. As Lasko turns his attention to preparing for the draft, the New Jersey native took the time to thank everyone who made an impact on his career over the last three years earlier this week.

In 156 games as a Scarlet Knight, Lasko posted a .314 batting average while driving in 135 runs. He was also a threat at the plate due to his power, as 90 of his 201 hits went for extra bases. The talented outfielder was a matchup headache for opposing pitchers whenever he stepped to the plate.

While Lasko’s numbers are impressive, he was also well-liked in the clubhouse. That was reflected in his farewell to Rutgers on his Twitter account.

Lasko said, “Rutgers Baseball has given me everything. I’ve had the chance to play for the best coaches, who gave me countless hours of instruction and support. Without them, I couldn’t be the person or the player I am today. I tried to do things the right way, and I had so much fun doing it.”

During his time in Piscataway, Lasko was a human highlight reel. Last year he led the Big Ten in hits and runs scored. He was also a semifinalist for the Rawlings Golden Spikes Award.

Lasko should draw plenty of interest from MLB teams due to his unique combination of power and speed. He is projected to be selected in the first few rounds of the 2023 MLB Draft. Many in Piscataway will be rooting for his success regardless of the team he ends up on.

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After Big Ten Tournament exit, what now for Rutgers basbeball?

Rutgers baseball had a disappointing season.

Following an early exit from the Big Ten Tournament, Rutgers baseball’s season is now over. But the program is nonetheless heading in the right direction according to Big Ten Network analyst Michael Huff.

It was a bit of a disappointing season for the Scarlet Knights, who were receiving some top 25 buzz in preseason. But a poor start to the season and then a rocky close to the regular season (where they lost two of their last three at Minnesota) doomed Rutgers to another season without a trip to the NCAA Tournament.

Rutgers lost both of their games in the Big Ten Tournament to effectively end their season at 33-23 (14-10 Big Ten).

For Huff, the direction for Rutgers baseball is still pointed in the right direction.

“As I look at this season for Rutgers it left me wanting more.  Felt like they had a better pitching staff than last year but…Felt like a couple of injuries hurt more than I thought,” Huff told Rutgers Wire.

“Felt like they got some bad breaks in big series and lost just to many close games.  It would have been interesting to see what the NCAA Committee would have done if Rutgers got to Sunday with zero or on loss as projections still had them as (a) first four out heading into the Big Ten Tournament.”

Rutgers will likely have some big losses this offseason with infielder Chris Brito and outfielder Ryan Lasko likely heading to professional careers. But Huff believes that Steve Owens, the Rutgers head coach, has the compass pointed in the right direction.

“Losing Brito and Lasko will be really hard next year but I really like Steve Owens and no doubt the team will be strong in 2024,” Huff said.

Hiff played seven seasons in the Major Leagues and is a former standout at Northwestern. He now works for the Chicago White Sox and is an analyst on the Big Ten Network.

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Eight Rutgers baseball players received Big Ten postseason awards

On Tuesday morning, the Big Ten announced its 2023 all-conference selections, with eight members of Rutgers baseball receiving awards.

This week, the Big Ten announced its 2023 all-conference selections, with eight members of Rutgers baseball receiving awards. The Scarlet Knights finished the 2023 regular season with a 33-21 (14-10 Big Ten) record and the No. 5 seed in the 41st Big Ten Tournament. Also, the Scarlet Knights finished the season No. 61 in the country according to the NCAA Rate Index Percentage.

All-Big Ten (First Team)

  1. Outfielder –Ryan Lasko (JR)
  2. Starting Pitcher – Christian Coppola (FR)

Rutgers outfielder Ryan Lasko and starting pitcher Christian Coppola were the only Scarlet Knights to receive All-Big Ten First Team honors.

Lasko, a junior outfielder from Jackson, New Jersey, is the first player in Rutgers’ history to be named All-Big Ten First Team multiple times. Lasko led the Scarlet Knights in batting average (.332) this past season and recorded 32 extra-base hits, 73 hits, 58 runs scored, 11 home runs, and 52 RBIs.

Christian Coppola, a pitcher from Galloway, New Jersey, is the first true freshman in Rutgers history to be named All-Big Ten First Team. Coppola finished the season ranked second among all Big Ten starters with a 3.60 ERA. Also, he finished the season with a 5-5 record, logging 68 strikeouts, 23 walks, and 57 hits. Coppola also received Big Ten All-Freshman Team honors.

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All-Big Ten (Second Team)

  1. Third baseman – Chris Brito (SR)

Rutgers senior third baseman is the only Scarlet Knight to receive All-Big Ten Second Team honors. The New Jersey native from Perth Amboy, New Jersey, is the team leader in RBIs (55), home runs (14), and OPS (1.029) entering the Big Ten Tournament.

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All-Big Ten (Third Team)

  1. Outfielder – Evan Sleight (JR)
  2. Starting Pitcher – Drew Conover (JR)
  3. Relief Pitcher – Ben Gorski (JR)

Rutgers outfielder Evan Sleight and pitchers Drew Conover and Ben Gorski were the three Scarlet Knights to receive All-Big Ten Third Team honors.

Sleight, the Massachusetts native from Framingham, Massachusetts, received his first-ever all-conference honors. He finished the regular season with career highs in home runs (12), doubles (13), runs scored (51), and walks (32).

Conover, a junior pitcher from Pittstown, New Jersey, received All-Big Ten Third Team honors in his first season with Rutgers. He finished the season with a 5-4 record, logging a 4.50 ERA, 64 innings pitched, and 79 strikeouts. Also, he recorded six quality starts and struck out seven or more batters in six outings.

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Rutgers closer Ben Gorski from Chatham, New Jersey, received All-Big Ten Third Team after a solid season out of the bullpen for the Scarlet Knights. He finished the season with eight saves, a 2.77 ERA, and 46 strikeouts in 39 innings pitched.

All-Big Ten (Freshman Team)

  1. Outfielder – Trevor Cohen (FR)
  2. Starting Pitcher – Christian Coppola (FR)

Rutgers outfielder Trevor Cohen finished his first college season with All-Big Ten Freshman Team honors. The New Jersey native from Brigantine, New Jersey, started all 54 games, recording 61 hits, 33 RBIs, 25 walks, 22 strikeouts, and a .288 batting average. Cohen joins Coppola on the Big Ten All-Freshman Team.

Big Ten Sportsmanship Award

  1. Catcher – Andy Axelson (SR)

Rutgers senior catcher Andy Axelson is the last Scarlet Knight to receive postseason honors. The New Jersey native from Roxbury, New Jersey, finished the regular season with a career-best batting average (.315), five home runs, and 25 RBIs.

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Watch: Rutgers centerfielder Ryan Lasko pulls off the best play of the Big Ten baseball season

Ryan Lasko of Rutgers baseball makes a tremendous catch in Big Ten action.

On Friday night, Ryan Lasko pulled off what is undoubtedly the play of the Big Ten baseball season, the Rutgers centerfielder making a diving catch and landing body first, in mid-air, into the outfield wall.

The play came with two outs in the eighth inning when Minnesota’s Kyle Bork drove the ball deep to right-center field. Bork’s solid connection appeared destined to be an extra-base hit. But Bork closed down on the ball, leaping and making a tremendous catch.

Rutgers finished the inning up 7-6. Minnesota would score twice in the home half of the ninth inning as Rutgers dropped a second straight game with an 8-7 loss.

The Scarlet Knights are now 32-21 and 13-10 in the Big Ten.

Check out this tremendous bit of athleticism from Lasko to rob Bork of what was supposed to be a sure-fire hit:

 

As for Lasko, he is having an All-Big Ten caliber season, batting .338 with 11 home runs.

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