A Decision That Ends One Era and Begins Another
Jaxson Torres, a 17‑year‑old right‑hander from North Massapequa, announced his commitment to Arizona State University’s baseball program on Saturday, bringing to a close a two‑year quarterback stint that made him one of Long Island’s most celebrated football players.
Torres capped his high school baseball career with an 11‑0 record, a 1.03 ERA, 122 strikeouts and four consecutive no‑hitters, earning Newsday’s Nassau Player of the Year honors in spring 2024.
The prospect of a two‑way career at the next level proved unsustainable, and Torres told new Plainedge football coach Adam Hovorka that he would not return to the gridiron this fall, a decision he described as both difficult and inevitable.
In choosing Arizona State, Torres cited the program’s culture and the financial security he expects from a baseball‑only path, noting that injury risk and long‑term earnings influenced his choice over offers from Coastal Carolina, Georgia Southern, Kentucky, Stetson, Florida State, Miami, and West Virginia.
His departure leaves a void for Plainedge, which finished the season 28‑1 and reached the state public school Class A tournament finals, but Torres said he will continue to support the school’s teams from afar.
Looking Ahead
At Arizona State, Torres will enter as a pitcher only, forgoing the two‑way role he held in high school. The move aligns with a growing trend of elite high school athletes specializing early to maximize professional prospects, a path that has drawn attention from scouts across the Power Four conferences.