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Two-sport Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year winner Matt Ponatoski meets Aaron Judge

Lawrence Andrew Fernandezby:Lawrence Fernandez•06/24/25•

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Matt Ponatoski
Moeller Crusaders pitcher Matt Ponatoski (10) throws a pitch in the seventh inning of the OHSAA Division I Region 3 final high school baseball game between the Lakota West Firebirds and Moeller Crusaders, Wednesday, June 4, 2025, at Nischwitz Stadium in Fairborn, Oh. Firebirds won 3-2. (© Frank Bowen IV/The Enquirer / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

As Fox 19 Cincinnati’s Joe Danneman shared on X/Twitter, New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge met with high school sports standout Matt Ponatoski. Also in the photo is Indiana Hoosiers outfielder and Cincinnati native Devin Taylor, one of the top prospects in the 2025 Major League Baseball amateur draft. The Yankees are in Ohio for their three-game series against the Cincinnati Reds.

Ponatoski is an excellent two-sport athlete for Archbishop Moeller High School. For the 2024-25 season, he is the Ohio Gatorade Player of the Year for baseball and football. As a baseball player, Matt Ponatoski played shortstop and right-handed pitcher for the Crusaders.

Before the postseason, he batted .437 with 29 RBIs, two home runs, and 22 runs scored. He also logged three innings of relief pitching and completed ten stolen bases. While Archbishop Moeller finished the season with a 25-4-1 record, their season ended with a 3-2 loss to Lakota West in the Ohio high school baseball Division I regional finals.

Meanwhile, Matt Ponatoski played quarterback for his high school football team. He finished his junior season with 4,085 passing yards, 56 touchdowns, and only three interceptions. The Crusaders went on an 11-game winning streak until losing to Olentangy Liberty in the Division I state championship game. Archbishop Moeller finished the season at 14-2, and Ponatoski became a Greater Catholic League First-Team honoree.

In addition to his athletic achievements, the junior maintained a 3.84 GPA. He also advocates helping children with special needs by volunteering as a Victory Day Counselor. Ponatoski devotes some of his time as youth football instructor and baseball hitting coach.

With a 90.03 On3 Industry Ranking, Matt Ponatoski is a four-star prospect and the 20th-best quarterback from the Class of 2026. He will likely commit to the University of Kentucky, based on On3’s recruitment prediction.