News Summary

Patchogue-Medford baseball star Jayden Stroman has switched his commitment from Duke University to the University of Virginia. Following Coach Chris Pollard’s move to UVA, Stroman accepted a full scholarship to play for the Cavaliers. With an impressive high school record and an eye on the 2025 MLB Draft, Stroman looks to make his mark at UVA. His decision reflects loyalty to Coach Pollard, highlighting a promising future in both academics and athletics.

Patchogue-Medford Star Jayden Stroman Makes Big Move to UVA

The town of Patchogue-Medford is buzzing with excitement! Local high school baseball star Jayden Stroman just made a splash by switching his college commitment from Duke University to the University of Virginia. This change comes hot on the heels of recent news that Duke’s head coach, Chris Pollard, is now at the helm of the baseball program at UVA.

From Duke Blue Devil to Virginia Cavalier

Jayden, a senior at Patchogue-Medford High School, was originally set to play baseball for the Blue Devils this fall. However, with Coach Pollard’s departure from Duke to UVA, Stroman felt it was the right time to follow his coach and take a new path. He accepted a full scholarship to the University of Virginia, which is not only known for its outstanding baseball team but also ranks as one of the top four state universities for academics in the nation.

A Show of Loyalty

Stroman expressed his excitement about playing for Coach Pollard at UVA, viewing it as a show of loyalty to the coach who has had such a significant impact on his baseball journey. This decision aligns perfectly with Jayden’s aspirations in the sport, considering UVAs reputation as a top 20 baseball program.

High School Highlights

Before making waves at Patchogue-Medford, Stroman spent his early high school years at Stony Brook Prep and then transferred to IMG Academy in Florida for his junior year. Returning to Long Island for his senior season, he showcased his talent by leading his team to the Suffolk League I playoffs.

This past season, Stroman was nothing short of sensational on the mound. He boasted an impressive pitching record of 5-0, striking out an astounding 50 batters in just 20 innings! Stroman allowed a mere three hits, walked eight batters, and finished the season with an incredible ERA of 0.70. Offensively, he didn’t hold back either, hitting .456 with five home runs and 15 extra-base hits. He crossed the plate 41 times, walked 25 times, and made his way around the bases with 23 stolen bases.

The Major League Buzz

With all that talent, it’s no wonder that Stroman is on many major league scouts’ radar. More than 20 MLB teams have taken an interest in his abilities, and his fastball has been clocked at a jaw-dropping 98 miles per hour! Next week, he’s set to participate in an invite-only Major League Combine in Arizona, which is a fantastic opportunity for him to further showcase his skills and impress even more scouts.

Pollard’s Legacy at Duke

Looking back on Coach Pollard’s career, it’s easy to see why Stroman is eager to join him at UVA. Pollard has successfully coached Duke to seven NCAA Tournament appearances and four Super Regionals over the past decade. He led Duke to its first two ACC titles in 2021 and 2024, and he holds an impressive record with 420 all-time wins at the university.

A Bright Future Ahead

As if that wasn’t enough, Jayden Stroman is also ranked as the 129th best prospect for the 2025 MLB Draft by MLB Pipeline. With such a stellar senior season under his belt, and his connection to his brother, MLB pitcher Marcus Stroman, it’s clear that baseball runs in the family. As Jayden prepares for this next big chapter at UVA, the whole town of Patchogue-Medford is cheering him on!

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