SS Jace Mataczynski (Hudson, 2026) emerged as a key piece on a talented Hudson squad this spring enroute to a First Team All-State Selection as a junior. A true shortstop with a high ceiling both offensively at the plate and in the field, was the biggest winner at the Senior Future Games where he won MVP of the entire event after impressing across both the workout and gameplay. Mataczynski has elevated himself as a draft prospect and look to kickoff his senior season early in February at the Super 60.

We recently had the chance to talk to Jace about his recruitment process, along with some other fun topics, below. 

Our Q&A 

Prep Baseball: What were your expectations about the recruiting process? What were you looking for out of a college program to continue your baseball career at?

Jace: My expectations coming into the recruiting process was to really try to find a school that didn't just develop me as a baseball player but as a person as well. Auburn I thought was the perfect fit for me, I felt comfortable around the coaches and I felt that it was the perfect fit to develop me in both aspects of baseball. 

PB: What do you like most about the program you chose, and what were the key factors in making your decision?

J: The key factors in choosing Auburn was the professional knowledge that the coaching staff at Auburn has and the overall professional background that the coaches have in the game really made my eyes pop and it really stood out to me. 2 other things about Auburn that contributed to my decision was the fact the town of Auburn is so sports centered and every cares so much about all of the sports at Auburn. The last thing that contributed to my decision was how the school was in the south, being a northern kid I don't get to play baseball all year round but since I'm going to a southern school, I can play baseball whenever I want and develop even faster. 

PB: What advice would you give to young baseball players striving to get where you are?

J: No matter where you're at in your baseball journey, don't stop working. I was ranked the 27th ranked overall player going into my junior spring of high school baseball, and I worked my butt off in the offseason putting in the extra work outside of just practices and now I have propelled myself into one of the best prospects in the state. So the overall advice I would give to the younger players is no matter where you're are in your journey, if you're big or small, don't stop working. Put in the extra work outside of just the practices. 

PB: Did location or distance from home play a factor in your decision?

J: Not at all, My parents were totally supportive on whatever school I would've chose from but they were especially supportive of me continuing my journey at Auburn because they loved everything about it as well.  

PB: When did the recruiting process really start to heat up for you? Where did the school you committed to first see you play?

J: The recruiting process heated up for me during the beginning of the summer of 2025. I came into the summer with only one offer. During my first tournament in Boston in mid-June, most of the schools in that area like Boston College, Maine, UMass, etc started recruiting me. Once I went to the PBR National Championship and the Sr. Future games that July, almost every big school in the country reached out to me. Auburn first saw videos of me that July and eventually offered me a scholarship the following August.   

PB: Was there a particular Prep Baseball tournament or showcase that helped accelerate your recruiting process? If yes, how so?

J: Yes, The PBR National Championship and Sr. Future Games really helped widen the exposure for me to all schools throughout the country. Being named the MVP of the Sr. Future Games really helped as well. And that all led to me being contacted by most of the schools in the country.     

PB: What other schools were on your short list before you made your final decision?

J: My top 5 schools that I was considered were Auburn, Georgia Tech, North Carolina, Kentucky, and Texas Tech.   

PB: Who is the best player you have faced in your state? What about them makes for a tough opponent?

J: I thought Ben Kuglitsch was a great player that I went against last season. I thought he was tough because he was a two-way player that pitched well and was tough as a batter.  

PB: If you could steal any tool or quality from another player in the state, what would it be and who would it be from?

J: Dominic Santarelli's hit tool.  

PB: Who is the next talented young player to keep an eye on out of your high school or travel program?

J: Vincent Cognetta from Hudson is a young kid that works really hard at baseball to get better.    

PB: At what point in your career did you realize you were a college-caliber player and became serious about taking your game to the next level?

J: The summer between my sophomore and junior years of HS. I really took my strength and speed performance program more serious and was more focused on my diet and how I started taking care of my body.  

PB: What is the most memorable moment in your baseball career to this point?

J: I would say it would be the summer and fall of 2025 and all of the experiences I went through. 

PB: Preview your high school team's season for us. How do you feel your team will be?

J: I think we will be one of the top teams in the state with a great core of returning players and I'm hoping we can make another deep run towards a state title.  

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