Whatever Stevenson baseball needs, Nicholas Rayyan probably can provide it.
Rayyan was a known commodity of sorts entering his senior season after he pitched nearly 30 high-quality and often clutch innings in 2023. But coach Nick Skala asked him to do more, and the 6-3, 225-pound Rayyan has given the Patriots essential work on defense, run production in the middle of the order and even savvy base-running.
“They needed me in the lineup this year at third, so that was different,” Rayyan said. “Whatever coach Skala needs, I’m willing to do. Whether I’m pitching or not, the only thing important to me is that I’m making an impact.”
Rayyan has been doing that all season. Although being Stevenson’s starting third baseman has limited his pitching opportunities, he has thrown 24.2 innings and has a 3.69 ERA. He has also played at first and been the designated hitter, and he has been consistent at the plate.
Rayyan is batting .287 with a .400 on-base percentage, a team-high 20 RBIs and a team-high three home runs entering the postseason, which top-seeded sectional host Stevenson (22-13) begins at 4:30 p.m. Wednesday against either 16th-seeded Hoffman Estates or 17th-seeded Zion-Benton in the Class 4A Schaumburg Regional semifinals.
“He’s shown that he can do it all,” Skala said. “His innings are down from last year, but I’m proud of him for showing all of the other facets of his game. He’s super versatile, someone I like to have in my back pocket.”
Rayyan’s emergence as a hitter came as a bit of a surprise to Skala, largely because Rayyan’s role as a relief pitcher last season resulted in only seven at-bats for him. Rayyan may not have predicted his production either, but he isn’t shocked.
“It might have been a little surprising with the power and average I’ve hit for because before this year I hadn’t really faced much varsity pitching,” he said. “But I’ve always trusted my ability to hit on my summer teams and growing up.”
Rayyan, who will pitch at Benedictine, hasn’t been on the mound as much this season but figures to get his name called during the postseason again. Last year, he closed out the regional final, went three more innings in the sectional semifinals and struck out the only batter he faced with the bases loaded in the sectional final. Rayyan also pitched in relief during Stevenson’s loss to New Trier in the supersectional.
“It seems like lately that he’s been pitching the best he has in his high school career,” Stevenson senior infielder Brayden Fell said. “It really helps with him being in those pressure spots last year. His experience is really going to help.”
Rayyan’s command of the pitches in his repertoire — a fastball, a curveball and a change-up — gives him confidence in those situations. His fastball can hit about 85 mph.
“I don’t throw as hard as some other guys, but I have a good feel for all three of my pitches,” he said. “I can locate my off-speed stuff and keep hitters off balance and make guys uncomfortable.”
Rayyan has also shown his value in more nuanced ways, like as a base runner. He has become what Skala calls “the king of the delayed steal.” Rayyan has eight stolen bases, including six of the delayed variety.
One memorable instance came during Stevenson’s win against Waukegan on May 7. Rayyan homered early in the game and later pulled off a delayed steal.
“The next pitch after I stole, Joey Dolenga hit one into the gap, and I scored easily,” Rayyan said. “It’s been something I’ve really worked on, and it’s worked. Having the versatility to do anything that’s asked of you is huge.”
Steve Reaven is a freelance reporter.
