The page has turned to a new chapter in TJ Schuyler’s baseball story.
Now closed, but not soon forgotten, is Schuyler’s four-year varsity career at Antioch during which he grew to dominate as a hitter, catcher and pitcher.
Schuyler’s first step forward involved 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 said. “At the end of the day, all I really want is to stay in baseball as long as I can.”
The “something” is hearing his name called during the MLB draft, which begins July 9. That’s a real possibility, given the skills he continued to display this season.
Schuyler, the 2023 News-Sun Baseball Player of the Year, hit .427 with a .541 on-base percentage, three home 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, where he compiled a 2.17 ERA, 70 strikeouts and just eight walks in 48 innings.
“He flat out dominated every day out, and he can literally do it all,” Antioch coach Frank Fracek said. “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 closer to that is one of the main goals of the 6-foot-2 Schuyler’s summer workouts at Indiana, and the promise of additional physical maturation is among the reasons he’s such an intriguing pro prospect. He has been on MLB scouts’ radar for years, and it was not uncommon for them to attend Antioch games this season.
“Sometimes they would tell you they were coming, but it was the funniest when they didn’t,” Schuyler said. “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 also participated in formal workouts, whether he hosted scouts at hitting sessions at Antioch or was invited to pro facilities, like on recent trips to the San Diego Padres’ High-A affiliate in Fort Wayne, Indiana, and to Kansas City’s Kauffman Stadium.
Schuyler reportedly hit 95 mph with his fastball on the latter visit.
“It’s been a cool process over the last year and a half,” he said. “You get to compete against other top guys and think, ‘This could possibly be my future.’”
If Schuyler is picked in the draft next month, he will lean on his family and a network of others in the industry to make an informed decision.
“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 said.
One of Schuyler’s coaches with his Hitters Baseball travel program is Tom Kelenic, who navigated the draft process with his oldest son, Jarred, the first high school player picked in 2018. Jarred Kelenic plays for the Seattle Mariners.
So Tom Kelenic knows about the many factors that go into making the decision Schuyler may face.
“It’s definitely a business,” Kelenic said. “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, though, he’s working with Indiana’s strength and conditioning staff to help maximize his body’s potential.
Schuyler has also taken a liking to some of the trappings of big-time college sports.
“My glove snapped, so I gave it to someone who gave me a new one while that one is being fixed,” he said. “On the second day here, we got all-new gear, and having your own locker is pretty cool.”
Someone with a unique perspective on Schuyler is fellow Indiana freshman Brayden Bakes, who starred at Huntley.
Schuyler and Bakes played with each other periodically during previous summers, and they’re becoming acquainted with college life together.
Bakes also witnessed a vintage Schuyler performance in Antioch’s 4-3 win against Huntley on May 20. Schuyler pitched a gem and hit two home 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 said. “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 freelance reporter for the News-Sun.
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