Jake
Jessell

2/17/26 Super 60 Pro Showcase:
Pitt recruit. 6-foot-1, 225-pound frame, mature lower half, wide shoulders. Right-handed hitting catcher, mechanically quiet, generates advanced bat speed, strength in swing with some lift, consistent hard contact; recorded 94 mph exit velocity. Defensively, throws have above-average carry, 82 mph from the crouch, tendency to get underneath throws; recorded top pop times of 1.93, 2.01, 2.05. Moves well for size, ran 7.51 60.

2/7/16 Jessell showcased above average arm strength (82 mph) and one of the top pop times at the Super 60 Pro Showcase (1.93). The Pitt recruit flashed a 94 mph bat exit velocity and present power in his swing during a very solid round of batting practice. The 6-foot-2, 225-pounder made repeated loud contact and showed the ability to drive the baseball to all fields with a strong lower half and hands that work well through contact.

2/15/15 A physical, 6-foot-1, 225-pounds, Jessell attacks the baseball with a bat in his hands. The right-handed hitter starts from a slightly open stance, takes a short stride, and gets his hands to a good launch position. He didn't generate much loft in his swing today, but with his body, bat speed (95-mph exit velo), and aggressiveness, he has serious power potential. Defensively, he showed a soft glove hand and good transfer, while making accurate throws with pop times of 2.03-2.09 and arm strength of 77-mph from the crouch. While not a burner, Jessell will by no means be a base clogger either (7.40 60-yard dash).

Physical and aggressive are apt terms when describing Jessell on the mound as well. While he yanked it gloveside by coming out of his delivery early, Jessell's fastball sat 86-87 and touched 89. He featured two distinct breaking balls -- a curveball with sharp 11/5 bite and a slider with more horizontal cut action -- with both offerings registering in the mid-70s. He also showed a change-up at 75-76 with late sink and fade when he maintained his elbow slot.

8/3/13 Jessell is ranked No. 3 in PA and No. 7 overall in the PBR combined rankings in the Class of 2016. The 6-foot, 220-pound Pitt commit showcased 1.97-2.00 pop times on throws of 77 mph from the crouch during defensive workouts. He had a key hit in Game No. 1 to stake Team PA to an early lead against Team Missouri. Jessell showcased a live fastball in game action, sitting in the upper 80's and touching 90 mph. He 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. He touched 90 mph while sitting 85-87 with his fastball.

2/23/13 Jessell came into the event having impressed earlier in the winter at a Western PA Open ID event. He left B2B Baseball Academy having solidified his spot among the elite players in his class. The freshman, who has already been added to the Team Pennsylvania roster for this summer's PBR Midwest Future Games, began his day by taking one of the more impressive rounds of batting practice of any player at the event. Jessell used strong lower half actions and quick hands to barrel everything with significant pop in his bat. Defensively the 6-foot, 220-pound catcher showed signs of being an elite backstop. He displayed throws of 79 mph out of the crouch and pop times of 2.03-2.09. Jessell completed his day with a solid bullpen session sitting 82-84 mph out of a high 3/4 arm slot. He also commanded a sharp breaking 11/4 curveball and showed a 73 mph changeup that is still developing.

1/5/13 Jessell is an impressive young prospect who shined as the top position player at the event. Jessell showcased a 4.64 home to first time and was sound receiving and blocking the baseball. He displayed 1.97-2.05 pop times on throws of 77 mph from the crouch. Jessell went on to show a power stroke at the plate. He used an 89 mph bat exit velocity and a strong lower half to drive baseballs consistently to all fields. He finished his day by topping at 85 mph during his bullpen session while also commanding a 71 mph curveball, a 72 mph slider and 75 mph changeup with good arm side run. Jessell solidified a spot as one of the top prospects in the PA Class of 2016.