Rutgers’ Lasko Drafted by Oakland A’s in MLB Draft
Rutgers baseball star Ryan Lasko made a little Jersey history, drafted by the Oakland Athletics in the second round, 41st overall in Sunday night’s MLB Draft.
Lasko, who hails from Jackson Township, is now the highest drafted Scarlet Knights player since Todd Fraizer was drafted 34th overall in the 2007 MLB Draft by the Cincinnati Reds. Moreover, Lasko is the third-highest draftee in program history after Bobby Brownlie in 2002.
A dream realized for the kid from Jackson.
— Rutgers Baseball (@RutgersBaseball) July 10, 2023
Ryan Lasko goes to Oakland A's with pick 41 of the MLB Draft!#TCD x @MLB pic.twitter.com/DyCA4M0FBG
Lasko enjoyed a stellar career at Rutgers. He was named to the All Big-Ten First team twice in 2022 and 2023. He tied the program record with 24 doubles in 2022 and holds the program record with 258 at-bats in 2022.
Last night, Ryan Lasko became the highest Rutgers draft pick in 16 years — since Todd Frazier went in the first round in 2007.
— Rutgers Baseball (@RutgersBaseball) July 10, 2023
The moment he heard his name called. #TCD x 🎥@MLB pic.twitter.com/pjW45HBwVe
Moreover, Lasko ranks in the top-10 in Rutgers history in career home runs (38, third), career RBI (135, t-tenth), career total bases (372, t-sixth), single-season total bases (166 in 2022, second), single-season runs (81 in 2022, third), career runs (169, ninth), single-season hits (90 in 2022, eighth), career doubles (47, t-ninth), single-season home runs (16 in 2022, t-third).
The distinctive honors for Lasko are manifold. According to Rutgers Athletics, Lasko was named the Big Ten Freshman of the Week three times his first season; the following year Lasko was named Big Ten Player of the Week twice and was the consensus National Player of the Week on May 3. At the conclusion of the season, he was named Rutgers Athletics Sophomore Athlete of the Year, ABCA/Rawlings Second Team All-America, ECAC Player of the Year, ABCA/Rawlings East All-Region First Team, All-ECAC and All-Big Ten First Team.
We know one thing for sure. The @Athletics got themselves an absolute DAWG in Ryan Lasko. #TCD pic.twitter.com/XLjchYQqpV
— Rutgers Baseball (@RutgersBaseball) July 10, 2023
Lasko, who was a junior at Rutgers this past season, is a very intriguing pick-up for the A’s who are clearly on the rebuild with the franchise poised to move to Las Vegas later in the decade.
Fun Fact: Lasko was not the only New Jersey player taken in the MLB Draft. The Boston Red Sox drafted Kyle Teel 14th overall in the first round. Teel who hails from Ridgewood, and went to Mahwah High School, played collegiately for the University of Virginia.
Love the #Redsox pick of Catcher Kyle Teel. Think the power upside is there. Good fluid swing. https://t.co/p6Hw4O8e8y
— Chris Hogan (@ChrisHogan__) July 10, 2023
Core Water at Wawa Route 1 7.1.23
