Get to Know: Jacob Schmutz

Most amateur ballplayers have the vision that there will be a linear path to success. The reality is that often times it is more like an EKG with plenty of fluctuations along the way.

Jacob Schmutz began his high school career at Patchogue-Medford as a right-handed pitcher and switch hitter. Just three years later, he’s at a new school (St. John the Baptist), doesn’t pitch, hits lefty and is a Division-I signee. Quite a bit of change.

Schmutz, who is among the leading hitters in the Catholic League in a variety of categories, has put himself on the short list of top players on Long Island through hard work and resiliency.

As of the time of this writing, he is batting .364 with a .517 OBP, .705 SLG (1.222 OPS) with 5 doubles, 2 triples, 2 home runs, 13 RBIs, 12 runs scored, 12 walks and is 15-for-16 in stolen base attempts. Those place him fourth in average, tied for 1st in doubles, second in stolen bases and third in slugging.

“He’s been with us for about 4 years and I’ve been training him for about six years,” said his summer coach Ryan Pembroke. “What makes him so special is that it hasn’t been an easy road. He was a right-handed hitter, we toyed around with hitting lefty and I told him he had a better lefty swing. He didn’t believe me, but after his surgery he dropped hitting righty.”

Schmutz’ work ethic is the main reason that he was able to re-invent himself as a left-handed hitter and ditched the mound. This offseason, he lifted 3 days per week on his own, 3 days per week at PCAP, hit 3 or 4 times per week at 365 Athletics, once or twice at team workouts for SJB and twice per week for ECL Winter Workouts on Fridays and Sundays. He noted that he began switch-hitting at around 11 or 12-years-old, and began feeling fully comfortable as a lefty about 2 or 3 years ago.

Following his Tommy John Surgery, he transferred to St. John the Baptist.

“Ever since I was in middle school, I used to come to their games. I had some family there. Seeing how the kids played and how great of a program it really is made me realize it’s where I wanted to be at.”

Some of that could be attributed to the impact that Logan O’Hoppe had on the program. The 2018 graduate of St. John the Baptist is now starring for the Los Angeles Angels. Schmutz noted that O’Hoppe’s teammate, the great Mike Trout, is the player that he tries to emulate his game after.

“Trout was my first favorite player. Even though I’m a lefty, I try to copy his stance, and keep my hands up like him. Playing the game like him has helped me become a better player. Also watching how he plays outfield and trying to get jumps like him and seeing how he goes after the ball.”

Once he got to SJB, Schmutz played JV as a 10th grader as he returned from his surgery. He noted that there was some players that helped him along the way.

“I would say Thomas Rorick, Nick D’Avanzo and Christian Alicea all helped me get acclimated to the varsity level.”

His breakout really came during that summer with the East Coast Lumberjacks, according to Pembroke.

“It wasn’t like he just showed up and was the No. 3 hitter every game. He’s had to handle adversity – to be great, you have to handle some tough times. After TJ, he really struggled not just hitting but also mentally. Once he started figuring it out and building confidence, he’s been unstoppable. The following year after the surgery it really clicked. He had a feel, he has an understanding of what it took to become a great hitter. It translated into the summer when he broke the single-season record for hits in our program with 65.”

OF Jacob Schmutz (St. John the Baptist 2025) commits to Sacred Heart University. He will represent Team Long Island in the Leiderman Cup pic.twitter.com/By9T0gAwbR

— Axcess Baseball LI (@axcessbaseball) July 28, 2024

Schmutz began generating some interest from Division-I schools and he announced his commitment to Sacred Heart University prior to his senior year.

“Being someone who is not a physically imposing player – it’s tougher to get noticed, but when you’re playing your game and on a hot streak, they’ll notice. Sacred Heart was one of the first schools that saw me. They were at a ton of my games early in the summer. Even when I was on my visit, they made me feel like this is somewhere I want to be.” Schmutz narrowed down his decision to Sacred Heart, Monmouth and Fordham before ultimately deciding to attend SHU in late July.

Pembroke added that he envisions a lot of success for Schmutz at the next level.

“He’s always shined against good competition – that’s the thing that’s impressive. When we were down in Hoover, AL and facing an SEC-commit, he turned around a 92 MPH fastball with a wood bat. It didn’t matter who we faced, could be a D-I commit throwing upper 80s, low 90s or someone throwing 80, he uses the entire field. That’s why he’s such a good hitter. Sacred Heart got a steal. He’s going to do great. I think he’ll be an impact guy out of the gate because of his ability to run. I couldn’t be more proud of him.”

But first, Schmutz feels there’s some unfinished business in the 2025 season.

“I want to go out and try to compete every pitch and make a really deep playoff run. Last year, I don’t think they were expecting us to knock out Kellenberg and Chaminade. Ended up losing a close game to St. Dominic. We have already played some really good game against top teams in the league and split, so anything is possible,” he added.