A-K Valley Senior Spotlight: Valley’s Jacob Staraniec

By: Ted Sarneso
Monday, March 25, 2024 | 8:41 AM

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Valley baseball senior pitcher Jacob Staraniec is a team captain and one of the leaders on the Vikings pitching staff.

He cites his guidance with his younger brother as an example of how he has come to mentor the young players on the team.

“Having a little brother, I’m trying to help him grow up, play sports and be a better human in life,” Staraniec said. “I just try and do the same thing for the younger players.”

Valley coach Jim Basilone has seen Staraniec coach his teammates to become better players and is appreciative of the time and effort Staraniec puts forth.

“He’s always talking to those younger guys to help them along and get them to the spot the seniors are at,” Basilone said. “The other day I threw some freshman arms in a scrimmage, and he was coaching up the young kids on the mound, saying, “Take your time. Slow down and relax. Enjoy it.”

In Staraniec’s experience, encouraging younger players is important not just for the development of their own games but for the success of the team as well.

“It’s about building confidence, and I feel that’s very important in the game of baseball,” Staraniec said. “The mentality is to stay after it. If you’re down, don’t stay down. There’s going to be games when you won’t be at your best, but there will be times when you feel on top of the world.”

Confidence is certainly riding high for the Valley baseball team after making the WPIAL playoffs last year for the first time since Staraniec was a freshman.

The Vikings defeated Burrell in the preliminary round before losing to top-seeded Riverside in the first round.

Basilone calls Staraniec a “bulldog on the mound” and is counting on his senior pitcher to be a critical piece to help Valley make a repeat playoff appearance.

“He has that natural ability to throw the ball pretty hard,” Basilone said. “He commands his pitches, has good off-speed stuff. He’s matured so much. He’s very focused and disciplined on the mound. He doesn’t get rattled.”

“He’s a winner, very knowledgeable about the game,” Basilone added. “Hopefully, he can help take this team deep again.”

Staraniec took some time for a Senior Spotlight Q&A:

What’s your mentality out there on the mound?

It’s to throw first strikes. Those are huge when you’re a pitcher. You have to have confidence in yourself, never get down.

Coach said you do a number of things to strengthen your arm. What do you do to keep your arm well-tuned?

You have to always hit the weights. We got a strength program this offseason with one of our football coaches. A bunch of long toss along with icing the arm and stretching it.

What pitches do you throw, and which is your go-to pitch?

I throw a fastball, curveball and changeup. My fastball is my main go-to. I can paint the corners pretty well with it. The curve is my second best.

What was the process to not only get the velocity you have but to also have the command?

Bunch of practice. Coach always helps me on the mound. Tells me to keep my belly button to third and my stride long. Just throw it and not think about it too much.

What’s the most strikeouts you’ve had in a game?

I want to say it was 12 or 13.

The highest you’ve had in a season?

49 was my highest in 41 innings pitched.

One fact about yourself that would surprise people to know?

I’m not the smartest person, but I’m smarter than I act. Even though I may act like the class clown, I still get it done in the classroom.

What’s one piece of advice you’d want to leave your teammates upon graduating?

If you put the work in, you will be successful. And always stay confident.

What’s your typical approach at the plate?

Coach Bas is always preaching attack the first pitch. If you don’t get it, go after the next pitch. It’s just staying in go mode.

College plans?

I’m undecided as to which school I’ll attend. I’m looking to study education. I have been in talks with some of the schools I’ve looked at about playing baseball. I would love to play in college.

Favorite high school memory so far?

Making it to the playoffs last season. Being one of the bigger role models on the team and helping the other players is a big part for me as well.

Tags: Valley