Laramie Rangers' Jace Moniz commits to Ottawa University

Nov. 15—Laramie High senior Jace Moniz is expected to pitch the bulk of innings for the Laramie Rangers baseball team this season before making his way to play college baseball at Ottawa University, in Ottawa, Kansas.

Moniz announced a verbal commitment to the Braves on Instagram last week, and is expected to become a full-time pitcher in college. The commitment came together quickly from the end of the summer to now.

"You're always putting together video to send to coaches," Moniz said. "I was playing fall ball over in Cheyenne to get more innings for video when (Ottawa University) contacted me. So, I talked to the coach, (Jonathan Freemeyer), for the first time.

"A couple more weeks went by, and they reached out again. He said, 'We want you,' and shortly after, I went for a visit. I saw the campus, and everything about the visit went great. I love the area around the school. It's a small town, which I really like. It's also close to bigger cities (53 miles from Kansas City, Missouri). They have updated facilities and a brand new weight room, which really excites me."

Freemeyer's pitch to Moniz was that the program has had success developing players and getting the most out of their talent. Always looking to better himself, Moniz felt like that was something he could buy into right away.

Combining the potential of the program with the joy he felt visiting the school made the commitment an easy decision.

"My fastball is currently in the low-to-mid 80's," Moniz said. "I have a put-away curveball that I feel comfortable throwing to anyone at any time. I also mix in a changeup to keep hitters off balance, and I am starting to work in a two-seam fastball."

Two other schools were in the bidding for Moniz's services, including Colby Community College in Colby, Kansas, and Bryant and Stratton College in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Moniz was a versatile player for the Rangers last season, tossing the fourth-most innings (42 1/3 ) on the team. Moniz also played first and second base when he wasn't on the mound.

The 5-foot-11 right-hander had a 2-5 record on the bump, but was a perfect 2-of-2 in save opportunities. He was one of four players to throw more than 850 pitches (897).

He is expected to fill the void of graduated pitchers Mason Branch and Brandon Chavez for the Rangers this summer. Branch and Chavez each tossed 82 innings, and were the only two pitchers to start double-digit games.

"I want to be more consistent in the zone," Moniz said. "If I can keep my pitch count low by living in the zone more, then I'll be able to throw more innings. I want to be the guy to eat up innings and save other arms for later.

"I've worked my whole life to be the top guy, so I'm excited for the opportunity to take that. It's nice to know that I'm one of the guys the team has enough trust in to put out there in those situations."

Moniz is hoping to have enough success this season to earn an all-state nomination. He feels he's been on track to do so, and if he takes another step from where he's been, then anything is possible.

Moniz understands the margin for error in baseball is small. He attacks his training in a variety of ways, including lifting weights, throwing two bullpen sessions per week and reviewing the video of his mechanics.

"I do a lot of plyometrics," Moniz said. "I want to be stronger, move faster and throw harder."

Baseball isn't Moniz's only love, as he has also grown up playing hockey. Moniz plays for the Laramie Outlaws and has been in the organization since 2014.

Despite his love for hockey, Moniz said it wasn't hard to choose baseball for his future.

"I love hockey to death," Moniz said. "It's going to be hard to let it go, but I've always been a baseball guy. I've been working since I was little to be able to continue playing, so this opportunity is awesome."

Since announcing his decision to further his academic and baseball career at Ottawa, Moniz has felt tremendous support from the Laramie community. Moniz said he's had a lot of people reach out to congratulate him, but he is most proud that his parents' dedication has paid off.

"They've driven me everywhere since I was 10 years old," Moniz said. "So, it's been super awesome for them to see me accomplish this. It's also a big relief to commit before the Legion season starts. Now, I can play baseball knowing I have a home to go play baseball at after the season, which is a big relief."

Ranger coaches Aaron Lozano and Conrad Chavez were the most helpful through the recruiting process, Moniz said. They told him what coaches would want to see from him, and encouraged him to keep going when he got tired.

"I want (Ottawa) to know they're getting a player that is going to work for them, no matter what," Moniz said. "I'll do whatever it takes to win. I try to help my team however I can, and I'm the guy that is always gonna work hard for a win."

Austin Edmonds covers Laramie High, University of Wyoming and community athletics for WyoSports. He can be reached at aedmonds@wyosports.net. Follow him on X at @_austinedmonds.