Prep Baseball Report

Midwest Future Games Review: Team PA Pitchers



By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

Team Pennsylvania sent eight pitchers to the mound over the course of the event with each making an impact on the success of the team. Following is a look at the prospects that made up the pitching staff for Pennsylvania.

RHP/3B Ben Dum, West Perry HS, Class of 2015

Dum was one of the more interesting right-handed pitchers at the event. The 6-foot, 175-pound prospect sat 83-85, touching 86 mph from a 3/4 arm slot. He effectively commanded his 70 mph curveball, 73 mph slider and his 69 mph changeup to keep hitters guessing. Dum creates interesting angles to the plate with his arm slot and commands the zone effectively. Dum allowed just two balls to leave the infield in his three innings of work striking out three.

Connor HigginsLHP Connor Higgins, Parkland HS, Class of 2015

Higgins was definitely one of the most impressive left-handed pitchers at the 2013 Midwest Future Games. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound lefty sat 84-86 while touching 87 mph. He commanded the strike zone and mixed a 78 mph changeup with a 71 mph curveball to keep hitters off balance. Higgins struck out six in his 3.2 innings of work over the course of two days, allowing just two hits. His projectable frame and repeatable mechanics indicate additional velocity is likely over the coming year.

RHP Jake Jessell, Woodland Hills HS, Class of 2016

Jessell worked just one inning on the mound, and struggled a bit with command, but showed the arm strength that has him ranked No. 3 in PA in his Class. Jessell induced a based loaded strikeout and a 6-4-3 double play to work out of a 7th inning jam to deny Team Missouri a win in the opening game of the event. The 6-foot, 220-pound Pitt commit touched 90 while sitting 85-87 with his fastball.

OF/RHP Noah Malone, Cedar Cliff HS, Class of 2015

Malone worked two perfect innings on day one of the event sitting 84-86 while touching 87 mph. He commanded the strike zone and mixed his 72 mph curveball and 76 mph changeup effectively. Malone struck out three and induced five ground ball outs in his three innings of work.

C/3B Zach Minnick, Logan HS (WV), Class of 2015

Minnick was impressive defensively and at the plate, but also flashed legitimate potential on the mound. The 6-foot, 215-pound righty struck out three in three innings of work while sitting 85-88 on the hill. He showed signs of an above average slider at 78 mph and the potential to be a back end bullpen guy in addition to his other abilities.

Joe MolettiereRHP Joe Molettiere, Pennridge HS, Class of 2015

Molettiere sat 81-83, down from his 86-88 velocity that he displayed a week earlier at the PA Underclass Games, but still showed good run and a loose arm action. The 6-foot-2, 160-pound righty also showcased a 74 mph curveball with sharp 12/6 break and a 70 mph changeup thrown at near fastball arm speed. Molettiere induced five ground balls outs and struck out three in his 3.1 innings of work.

SS/RHP Chris Rabasco, Parkland HS, Class of 2015

Rabasco's arm strength was evident in defensive workouts with an 88 mph arm across the diamond. Although he struggled a bit with command on day one, he returned to the mound on day two to work a 1-2-3 inning. The 5-foot-11, 180-pound righty sat 85-88 with a hard biting 74 mph curveball.

Zach WielgusLHP Zach Wielgus, Penn-Charter HS, Class of 2015

Wielgus sat 83-86, while touching 87 from a high 3/4 arm slot with a high leg lift delivery. The 6-foot-3, 200-pound lefty has a heavy fastball that he mixed with a 71 mph curveball. Wielgus commanded the zone and his fastball showed good late life.

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