Rutgers baseball: Jackson's Ryan Lasko chasing history

A month ago, after Ryan Lasko’s baseball season got off to a slow start, the Rutgers slugger texted someone he trusted for advice.

Todd Frazier knew exactly how to respond.

“You’re playing a kid’s game,” Frazier told him. “Just try to have fun.”

The message hit home. The junior outfielder and Jackson Memorial High School alum leads the Scarlet Knights in doubles (11), runs scored (37) and RBIs (34) while ranking second in home runs (eight) and third in batting average (.327). He’s on pace for a second straight All-Big Ten campaign.

"I told him, 'Don’t put too much pressure on yourself,'” said Frazier, who starred at Rutgers before embarking on a 11-year career in the Big Leagues. “Take a step back and understand, ‘I’m good.’ Control what you can control – hitting strikes, and your attitude. You can control your body language.

“Scouts want to see one of those 0-for-4 days and how you react. Are you a team player? Are you still hustling down the line? These are little things the younger guys don’t always understand.”

Ryan Lasko's Frazier family ties

Frazier’s insights on the game, which will be dispensed on the YES Network as a Yankees' studio analyst starting this week, are always appreciated at his alma mater. The Toms River native was Big East Player of the Year in 2007 before being chosen in the first round of the MLB Draft – the last Scarlet Knight drafted that high.

“I’ve always felt I could reach out to him,” Lasko said. “He’s a very open person, a very approachable guy. He always responds to stuff.”

Lasko has known the Frazier family for years. He used to train with Jeff Frazier, Todd’s older brother and fellow Rutgers baseball alum. Todd recalls walking by a young Lasko and noticing the way the ball leapt off his bat.

“I kept asking Jeff, ‘Who the hell is this kid?'” Todd Frazier said. “He said, ‘That’s Ryan Lasko of Jackson. He’s going to be a stud.’ We don’t say that word too lightly. Once he said that, I said, ‘I’m going to keep an eye on this guy.’”

After a promising freshman campaign in 2021, Lasko burst into prominence last spring, leading the Big Ten in hits (90) and runs scored (81) while matching Rutgers’ single-season record for doubles (240). He led the Scarlet Knights to a 44-15 record and the final game of the Big Ten Tournament, where they endured a loss to Michigan and then a heartbreaking NCAA Tournament snub.

That fueled Lasko’s offseason, where he found himself on Major League scouts’ radar for the first time. He projects to be an early-round selection in the draft, which takes place July 17-19.

“I just want to become more consistent,” Lasko said. “That’s the main focus. I’ve had stretches in my career here of being really high and really low.”

'The sky is the limit'

It’s been that kind of season for Rutgers. The Scarlet Knights are 20-16 overall and 4-5 in the Big Ten after the weekend's 2-1 series win over Michigan. They've won five of their past six.

“I know we definitely have players who are good enough to make a run (to the NCAA Tournament),” Lasko said. “We’re disappointed with how we started the year, but we’re more than capable of going on a run. We dug ourselves in a hole, so we can’t really wait around much longer.”

He’ll worry about the draft later. One thing seems clear: A certain Rutgers alum and television analyst will be in his corner.

“The sky is the limit,” Frazier said. “With his work ethic, I know he’s going to do good no matter where he’s drafted. He’s a gamer. That’s all you can ask for as a coach.”

Jerry Carino has covered the New Jersey sports scene since 1996 and the college basketball beat since 2003. He is an Associated Press Top 25 voter. Contact him at jcarino@gannettnj.com.

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Rutgers baseball: Ryan Lasko, Jackson, chasing history