By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

Of the 200 players in the Pennsylvania Class of 2013 rankings, 90 are pitchers. Of those 90 pitchers, 35 have are unsigned at this point. And of the 35 who are unsigned, RHP Cole Boozel is at the top of the list.

Boozel is a 6-foot, 160-pound RHP from Mt. Union HS. He was one of the top rated pitchers in the state going into 2011-2012, sitting 85-88 until a wrestling injury shut him down for the spring. According to Boozel, "The doctor told me that I should have had the surgery three years ago." The former wrestler had a history of injuries to the shoulder during wrestling and has now decided to pass on the physically demanding sport in his senior year to get ready for one last season of high school baseball.

So how is the shoulder today? Boozel feels like it's actually stronger than it was prior to his surgery. "I'm fully recovered from the injury and I'm back stronger and throwing harder than before. I was topping out at 92mph about six weeks ago and that was with my two-seam fastball."

Boozel is unsigned at this point, but does have a plan. His ultimate goal is to be drafted in June. As for college, his current plans are to attend Lackawanna College to play baseball if the first goal doesn't pan out. The Falcons are coming off of a 47-12 campaign in 2012 that culminated in a trip to the NJCAA Division II World Series.

While Boozel feels professional baseball and/or college baseball are in his future, for now he is concentrating on that one final season with his high school teammates. Boozel finished by adding one final goal to the list; "I want to win a state title and get a gold medal with the team I have played with my whole life."

Send all Pennsylvania recruiting information to PA Director of Scouting - Greg Williams.