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Top Stories of 2014: #8 - Acceleration of the Recruiting Process

December 17, 2014

By Jacob Gill
Philadelphia Region Director of Scouting

The college baseball recruiting landscape changes on a yearly basis. One recent trend is players giving non-binding verbal commitments to college programs as underclassmen in high school. While the merits of this, from both the player and college perspective, are up for debate, this is the new reality for many athletically gifted players and high-profile college programs. Three Pennsylvania underclassmen are now part of this emerging storyline.

Joe LancellottiArchbishop Wood OF/RHP Joe Lancellotti (left), the top-ranked player in the Pennsylvania class of 2017, verbally committed to North Carolina in August prior to his sophomore year. The right-handed hitter has a powerful bat and an upper-80s fastball.

Shane MuntzMalvern Prep C/RHP Shane Muntz (right), ranked immediately behind Lancellotti, committed to Virginia Tech in October of his sophomore year. A physical beast, he features an upper-80s fastball and is making nice strides as a position player.

Penn Charter OF/LHP Michael Siani, a freshman who has yet to play a game in his high school career, verbally committed to Virginia last month. The left-handed hitter is a quality all-around athlete.

The biggest similarity between these three young men is that they all have the potential to perform, or already have performed, at a very high level as a two-way player in high school (and possibly beyond). They are young and athletic with a large portion of their development curve in front of them.  Even the coaches to whom they have committed may not have any idea how they will end up being utilized when they reach campus. That may be of no real concern, however, when the primary goal appears to be: Procure talented, athletic players now. Figure out the rest later.

Top Stories of 2014
#9 - Duffy One(-Title)-and-Done at Pope John Paul II
#10 - Sub-.500 Seneca Valley Makes Run to State Semifinals
#11 - PBR PA Moves Office to Manheim
#12 - PBR Recruiting Essentials Unveiled

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