Prep Baseball Report

The 11 Most Promising Left-handed Pitchers in PA



By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

Pennsylvania currently lacks a dominant left-handed power arm. What is plentiful in PA are quality Division I caliber lefties who can get people out. Today, Prep Baseball Report Pennsylvania's staff looks at the most promising left-handed pitchers in Pennsylvania.

  1. Brendan McKay, Class of 2014, Blackhawk HS

    Brendan McKayMcKay is a 6-foot-1, 185-pound junior who has gotten guys out to the tune of 15-1 as a varsity starter over his first two years of high school. He was the premier arm on Team Pennsylvania at the Midwest Future Games in August. In four innings, he struck out eight, allowed one hit and no runs behind an easy 83-86 mph with arm-side life. McKay worked both sides of the plate, and flashed a plus 72-74 mph curveball. McKay commanded the strike zone with three pitches, and looked to have plenty more in the tank. He is ranked No. 5 in PA and No. 29 in the PBR combined rankings in the Class of 2014.

  2. Zach Wielgus, Class of 2015, Penn Charter HS        

    Wielgus is a 6-foot-2, 190-pound left-handed pitcher who topped out at 84mph with more in the tank at the Eastern PA Top Prospect Showcase in August. He also showed a sharp breaking 73 mph curve ball and a 73 mph changeup that had good arm side run and late sink. Wielgus showed command of all three pitches and advanced mechanics for a pitcher his age.

    In September, Wielgus participated in the PA Underclass Games and was just as impressive. He threw four innings giving up just one run on two hits. Wielgus struck out eight, including seven of the final nine batters he faced. He again showcased an 84 mph fastball that displayed good late arm side run. Wielgus is ranked No. 5 in PA and No. 32 in the PBR combined rankings in the Class of 2015.

  3. Adam Bleday, Class of 2013, Titusville HS

    Bleday is a 5-foot-11, 185-pound LHP/OF who sits 85-86 and tops out at 88MPH. He has run a 6.87 60 and was named the 2011 Amateur Baseball Report national 16 year old Player of the Year. The University of Virginia recruit is ranked No. 5 in Pa and No. 48 in the PBR combined rankings in the Class of 2013.

  4. Nick Raquet, Class of 2014, State College HS

    Raquet is a 5-foot-11, 195-pound prospect who tops at 86mph with solid secondary pitches. He is coming off a 2-1 campaign in 2012 for the Little Lions with a 2.52 era. Raquet is ranked No. 8 in PA and No. 69 in the PBR combined rankings in the Class of 2014.

  5. Brian Brown, Class of 2014, Coatesville HS

    Brown is 6-foot, 170-pound LHP/OF from Coatesville HS. He sits 81-84 with his fastball and commands a 74mph changeup. The Duke University commit had a breakout spring for the Red Raiders and has recently climbed to No. 9 in the PA Class of 2014 rankings. He is sure to climb into the PBR combined rankings the next time they are adjusted.

  6. LaRon Mitchell, Class of 2014, Susquehanna Township

    Mitchell is a 6-foot-4, 215-pound LHP from Susquehanna Township HS in Harrisburg, PA. He is an athletic lefty with very projectable size. Mitchell has solid mechanics and is effortless with a fastball that sits 84-86 while topping out at 87mph. Mitchell shows command of his complimentary pitches as well. He has good separation in velocity between his fastball and off-speed pitches. Mitchell throws a 74mph curveball that has tight rotation, a 76mph slider that shows good late bite and a 75 mph changeup that has some arm-side run. He is ranked No. 22 in PA and No. 147 in the PBR combined rankings in the Class of 2014.

  7. Patrick Doudican, Class of 2015, Neumann-Gorretti HS

    Doudican is a 6-foot-1, 180-pound LHP/OF from Neumann Goretti HS. The lefty tops out at 81mphfrom the mound with a projectable body. Doudican is a talented athlete who shows signs of velocity increases to come. He is the No. 17 ranked player in the PA Class of 2015.

  8. Luke Corrigan, Class of 2013, Bethel Park HS

    Corrigan is a 5-foot-10, 185-pound left handed pitcher that has committed to James Madison. He tops out at 84 mph with command of three pitches. He is ranked No. 29 in the PA Class of 2013.

  9. Jared Skolnicki, Class of 2013, Keystone Oaks HS

    Skolnicki is a 6-foot-2, 170-pound left-handed pitcher with a knowledge of how to pitch. He sits 84-87 mph, with good command of his curve ball and changeup. He is a switch hitter with equal ability from both sides of the plate. The Kent State recruit has the potential to be a two-way player in college, but will likely see most of his time on the mound. Skolnicki is ranked No. 36 in the PA Class of 2013.

  10. Teddy Slagle, Class of 2014, Plymouth-Whitemarsh HS

    Slagle is a 6-foot, 170-pound LHP from Plymouth-Whitemarsh HS. He sits 79-83, topping out at 85 mph. Slagle is extremely athletic and is likely to see additional gains in velocity. He is ranked No. 38 in the PA Class of 2014 rankings.

  11. Joey Baran, Class of 2015, Hazelton Area HS

    Baran is a 5-foot-11, 170-pound LHP/OF from Hazleton Area HS. He tops out at 86 mph and has the potential to be a two-way player at the next level. Baran is ranked No. 21 in the PA Class of 2015 rankings.

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