Josh Thomson | Rockland/Westchester Journal News

Peter Carr, pcarr@lohud.com

Even before leading Suffern's baseball program to its first-ever state final four appearance this year, Jack Scanlon's future was set. But that changed suddenly late last month when a last-minute phone call forced Scanlon to reconsider his options.

"It totally caught me off-guard," he said.

The star catcher/pitcher — once signed with Texas Tech — announced on his Twitter and Instagram accounts Tuesday that he committed to Oregon.

"Quack Quack... I’m an Oregon Duck!" he wrote in his announcement.

Scanlon actually had a signed National Letter of Intent to Texas Tech, which competed in this year's College World Series. However, Scanlon said he received a phone call on June 24 from Texas Tech head coach Tim Tadlock, who informed him the program was four scholarships over the maximum amount allotted by the NCAA.

Initially, Scanlon, who was our Rockland baseball player of the year, opted to wait, but, with a July 6 report date looming, he saw other incoming freshman in his position decommit and sign with new schools. He even read a rumor of Texas Tech fielding interest from transfers; on July 1st, the school announced it had added pitcher Austin Becker, a transfer from Vanderbilt.

Submitted photo

Tadlock also indicated during their phone call that the program had six catchers on its roster.

"I just felt like I wasn't wanted there," Scanlon said.

When he announced his decommitment July 1 — and Texas Tech granted him a full release — Scanlon estimated that he was contacted by 40 schools. He visited Oregon last weekend and felt enthusiastic enough to commit without taking additional visits.

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"Everything about the school is amazing and they're giving me the opportunity to catch and pitch right way," he said. "The biggest thing I was looking for was an opportunity. I know that you can't be guaranteed anything in terms of playing time."

Scanlon led the Mounties both on the mound and at the plate this past season. He hit batted .384, drew a team-best 26 walks and drove in a team-high 33 RBI. He also hit eight doubles, three triples and three home runs. As a pitcher, he posted a 1.43 ERA and struck out 67 in 49 innings of work.

Frank Becerra Jr./The Journal News

Scanlon is already generating buzz in pro circles as a pitching prospect; he said in an interview last month that he had received calls from multiple MLB teams during the MLB Draft. But the 6-foot-4 Scanlon declined their overtures, saying that he wanted to explore playing catcher in college first.

He originally committed to Texas Tech, picking them over other suitors such as Stetson, Kentucky, and Notre Dame, since he felt the coaching staff would allow him to catch and pitch.

He believes he'll have that chance now at Oregon.