My Journey From Frederick to Professional Baseball

By Ryan DeSanto

Baseball has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. Growing up, I always heard stories about my dad and uncle playing college baseball, and those stories stuck with me. From a young age, I knew I wanted to follow in their footsteps and see how far the game could take me. That goal never really changed. If anything, it only became clearer the more I played.

Where It All Started

I grew up in Frederick, Maryland and attended Tuscarora High School. Like most kids who love the game, I spent countless hours throwing, training, and competing, always pushing myself to improve. During my senior year, I started gaining real college interest and was fortunate to be recruited by several programs.

I ultimately chose Saint Joseph’s University because it felt like the best overall fit for me. One of the biggest factors was the opportunity to play alongside my brother, which made that experience even more meaningful. During my two seasons at Saint Joe’s, I developed as a starting pitcher, learned how to compete at the collegiate level, and gained experiences that helped shape who I am today.

A Pivotal Decision

After my sophomore year, I made the decision to enter the transfer portal. It was not an easy choice, but I knew it was the right move for my development. I committed to Penn State and spent one season there continuing to grow, refine my game, and challenge myself against high-level competition.

That year proved to be a turning point. I found even more success on the mound, and the work I had put in started to show in a bigger way. That season ultimately helped put me in position to be drafted, which is something I am incredibly proud of.

Moments That Stand Out

Being drafted is easily one of my proudest accomplishments so far. It represents years of work, sacrifice, and belief. Along the way, there have been other moments that stand out just as much.

Competing in conference tournaments taught me how to handle pressure and trust my preparation. Playing in the Cape Cod Baseball League was another huge milestone. Facing some of the best college players in the country every night pushed me to elevate my game and gave me a real taste of what the next level demands. That experience is something I will always appreciate.

Embracing the Grind

One of the biggest challenges in baseball is learning how to manage the daily grind. There are highs and lows, success and failure, often back to back. Staying level-headed through it all has been one of the most important lessons I have learned. Showing up every day, trusting my routines, and focusing on long-term growth has helped me navigate that process.

Life in Professional Baseball

Now that I am in professional baseball, the structure and routine have taken on an even greater importance. A typical day starts with breakfast at the complex, followed by preparation work either in the weight room or on the field. From there, I move into conditioning, throwing for the day, and then arm care in the training room. I finish with my lift, another meal, and then head home to recover and get ready to do it all again.

Even in a short amount of time, one of my favorite parts of pro ball has been learning from the people around me. Being surrounded by players and coaches with so much experience has been incredibly valuable, and I try to soak up as much knowledge as I can every day.

What I’m Working Toward

Right now, my main focus is continued development. I am constantly refining my routines, learning more about my body, and working toward becoming the best version of myself as a pitcher. Every day is an opportunity to get better.

The Pease Baseball Influence

Training at Pease Baseball played a huge role in preparing me for this level. Dustin helped me tremendously on the mental side of the game, especially when it comes to developing the right mindset for professional baseball. Being able to learn from both Dustin and Ivor, ask questions about their experiences, and train in that environment made a big difference in my development.

The confidence that Pease instills in its players is something I carry with me every day. That belief in yourself and your preparation matters at every level of the game.

Advice for the Next Generation

For younger players training at Pease who dream of playing at the next level, my advice is simple. Soak everything in. Envision yourself where you want to be. Set meaningful goals and commit to them. Most importantly, never stop believing in yourself. The work you put in now will matter more than you realize.

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Ryan DeSanto Is Built for the Climb

Left-handed pitcher whose resume is already stacked with proof, and whose trajectory points up, keep your eyes on Ryan DeSanto.

He is a 6-foot-4, 218-pound lefty from Frederick, Maryland, drafted by the Cleveland Guardians in the 12th round (372nd overall) of the 2025 MLB Draft.

That is the headline. The real story is what his track record says about his ceiling.

Penn State: A Statement Season That Put the League on Notice

In his season at Penn State, DeSanto delivered the kind of starter line that scouts trust:

• 15 starts
• 8-2 record
• 3.96 ERA
• 72 strikeouts in 72.2 innings
• Held opponents to 54 hits and a .202 opponent batting average
• Logged six outings of 4-plus innings with zero earned runs
• In Big Ten play: 5-2 with 48 strikeouts in 52.1 innings

That profile reads like a pitcher who can handle a workload, compete deep into games, and consistently win at-bats without needing perfection behind him.

Cape Cod League: Proof It Plays With Wood Bats and Elite Hitters

The Cape Cod Baseball League is a proving ground. DeSanto went there and did exactly what you want an MLB-caliber arm to do: compete and hold his own against elite lineups.

On the Cape in 2024 with Harwich:

• 24.1 innings
• 3.33 ERA
• 20 hits allowed
• 9 walks
• 20 strikeouts

He also authored a signature Cape moment, carrying a perfect game into the fifth inning in one of his outings.

That is not hype. That is evidence the game does not speed up on him.

Saint Joseph’s: Early Validation and a Strikeout Foundation

Before Penn State, DeSanto was already producing as a college arm and stacking recognition.

Saint Joseph’s listed him as a 2023 Atlantic 10 All-Rookie Team selection and also noted he earned A-10 Pitcher of the Week (March 8, 2023).

A 2023 preview citing Saint Joseph’s staff leaders also notes DeSanto led the team in strikeouts (65) and was among their innings leaders as a freshman.

Translation: the strikeout ability was there early, and it continued to scale as the competition climbed.

Why Guardians People Like This Profile

Cleveland has a reputation for developing pitching. They prioritize traits that translate:

• Physical frame that holds innings
• Repeatable delivery
• Competitive edge
• Ability to limit hard contact and manage damage
• Strikeout foundation that plays up with pro development

DeSanto’s Penn State line, his Cape performance, and his early college strikeout indicators all point to a pitcher who checks those boxes.

Where He Is Now

DeSanto signed with Cleveland in July 2025 and was later assigned to the ACL Guardians.

Minor league stat lines can lag or be incomplete early, but the pathway is clear: he is in the system, on the mound-development conveyor belt, and the Guardians do not waste time with arms they do not believe in.

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PBP SCOUTING REPORT ON HOME GROWN PEDIGREE

Body and Athleticism

Extra-large frame at 6-foot-4, 218, durable starter look. Loose, athletic mover. Looks like a pitcher built to handle a professional workload with pro strength gains still available.

Delivery and Mound Presence

Composed competitor. Works with tempo and shows the kind of calm you see in starters who can pitch through traffic. Delivery appears repeatable enough to project average-to-above average strike throwing with routine refinement.

Stuff Overview

Left-handed starter traits with pro projection. The best indicator of his arsenal playing is the consistency of outcomes against quality competition:

• Penn State: 72 strikeouts in 72.2 innings, .202 opponent average, six outings of 4-plus innings with zero earned runs. That suggests he can miss bats while limiting sustained rallies.
• Cape Cod League: 3.33 ERA over 24.1 innings, with 20 strikeouts. Wood bats, elite hitters, and he competes.

Command and Pitchability

Strikeout-to-inning parity at Penn State is a strong marker, and the low opponent average is another.
Projects as a pitcher who can sequence and execute rather than simply overpower. That plays in Cleveland’s model.

Role Projection

Starter traits. If the changeup continues to develop and the breaking ball tightens with pro usage, he profiles as a legitimate rotation candidate. Floor could be late-inning left-handed leverage if the organization chooses to fast-track his best two pitches.

Makeup

Competitive and steady. The Cape perfect-game-into-the-fifth note is not just a fun headline. It signals composure and the ability to carry dominance deeper into a start.

Overall Summary

Drafted in the 12th round, but the underlying indicators read like a pitcher who can outperform draft slot. Size, results against strong competition, and a starter workload track record. Cleveland is a serious place for arms. If he stays healthy and keeps sharpening routines, the MLB door is real.

Ryan is one of those players you never have to sell belief to. He showed up every day with purpose, curiosity, and a quiet confidence that kept growing the more work he put in. Watching his journey from a local Frederick kid into a professional pitcher has been incredibly meaningful for me, not just because of the success, but because of how he’s handled it. He’s stayed humble, stayed hungry, and stayed true to who he is. Ryan earned everything he has, and I genuinely believe his best baseball is still ahead of him. Working with him and his twin brother Drew has been an awesome experience, and watching them push and drive each other was a beautiful thing to watch over the years. Excited for all they both have in their futures! — Dustin Pease – PBP FOUNDER