Prep Baseball Report

Become a Member

More +

Preseason Preview: LaSalle Colllege HS (District 12)

January 19, 2013

By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

2012 was a banner year for the LaSalle College HS Explorers. Following an extra-inning loss to Neumann-Goretti in the PCL Championship Game, the Explorers won five consecutive PIAA playoff games to become the first District 12 team to ever win a state championship in baseball. LaSalle topped Council Rock South 3-1 in the PIAA Class AAAA finals.

Gone from that record setting roster are six senior starters. In order to come close to replicating the success of 2012 Head Coach Joe Parisi will have to turn to a host of talented underclassmen. In spite of the losses to graduation, Parisi will return three starters and six pitchers who saw the varsity mound in 2012.

Among the returning players, as many as four are legitimate Division I caliber players. Following is a breakdown of those on the Explorers roster likely to make an impact in 2013.

Chris MelilloDomScheffey Herron
        Chris Melillo                  Dom Cuoci                   John Scheffey                Jimmy Herron

Class of 2013

  • Chris Melillo -   6-foot-3, 210-pound C/1B who is a Notre Dame recruit. Mellilo hit .436 in 2012
                           with 28 RBI. He is ranked No. 3 in the PA Class of 2013 and No. 44 in the PBR
                           combined rankings. He will be moving behind the plate this season after playing
                           1B in 2012.
  • Nick Paglione - 5-foot-8, 160-pound LHP who should see innings on the mound.
  • Tom Cockill    - 6-foot-1, 185-pound LHP who is one of three left-handers on the staff.

Class of 2014

  • Dom Cuoci     - 6-foot-2, 200-pound SS/RHP who went 9-1 in 2012 with a 1.46 ERA. Cuoci was a
                           member of Team Pennsylvania at the PBR Midwest Future Games in August. He
                           is ranked No. 15 in the PA Class of 2014 and No. 90 in the PBR combined
                           rankings.
  • John Scheffey - 6-foot-1, 180-pound LHP who went 3-1 with a 2.86 ERA last season. Sheffey
                           commands four pitches and knows how to pitch. He is ranked No.47 in the PA
                           Class of 2014.
  • Nick Dermo    - 5-foot-11, 180-pound C/OF/1B with a lot of potential.
  • Brad Schneider - 5-foot-10, 165-pound IF who is an excellent defensive player.

Class of 2015

  • Jimmy Herron   -  5-foot-10, 170-pound OF/RHP is a Division I prospect who will make an impact.
  • A.J. Grezeszak - 5-foot-10, 160-pound IF/RHP who is a strong defensive player.

Additional PA News: