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PA/WV: Top Pitching Performances of the Summer

August 20, 2014

By Greg Williams
WV Director of Scouting

With the completion of the West Virginia Top Prospect Games last week the summer schedule of events in Pennsylvania and West Virginia have drawn to a close. In preparation for the start of the Fall College Prospect Program in September we now look back on some of the top performances of the summer.

Today we begin by taking a look at the top pitching performances of the summer at a PBR event.


#1  2015 RHP Michael Grove (Wheeling Park, WV)


Grove put on a show at the PA Top Prospect Games in June and has since made a commitment to West Virginia University. The 6-foot-3, 190-pound RHP/SS followed up a strong performance in the West Virginia Class AAA state semifinals with an impressive two days showcasing a heavy fastball that sits 87-89 with late life. He showed repeatable mechanics and the ability to make in game adjustments to allow himself to have success. Grove is a strike thrower that does not use his 71 mph curveball or his 77 mph changeup often, but his fastball is good enough currently that he doesn't need to.

#2  2015 LHP Dustin Lander (South Side, PA)


Lander, a 5-foot-11, 170-pound lefty had a breakout performance at the PA Top Prospect Games displaying a 4-seam fastball that sat 87-88 with arm side run. Lander had been sitting 83-85 for the past 12 months. The uncommitted senior also commanded a 2-seam fastball with cut action at 85-86. Lander flashed a 74 mph changeup at near fastball arm speed and threw a number of plus curveballs at 74 mph with hard biting action. Lander followed up his strong performance in June by committing to Charleston Southern.

#3  2016 RHP Dan Hammer (Father Judge, PA)


Hammer used an overhead rocker delivery and a long, loose arm action to sit 85-87 with late life to his fastball at the PA Top Prospect Games. The 6-foot-1, 160-pound righty commanded a 72 mph curveball with 11/5 break and a 76 mph changeup with excellent arm speed. Hammer has since gone on to commit to the University of Pittsburgh.

#4  2015 RHP Joe Molettiere (Pennridge, PA)


Molettiere took the mound to begin the PBR Mid-Atlantic Border Battle and was the most impressive pitcher to toe the rubber over the course of three days. The 6-foot-2, 165-pound righty has an athletic frame and looseness to his deliver that projects for velocity increases as his frame fills out. Molettiere sat 85-87 with his four seam fastball while also displaying a two seamer at 84 mph with decided arm side run. His 81 mph changeup is improving, but it is his 78 mph slider that has tight, late break that stands out. Molettiere worked four scoreless innings striking out six while allowing three hits. The No. 43 ranked prospect in the PA Class of 2015 committed to Monmouth less than a week following his performance.

#5  2015 RHP Collin Liberatore (Greensburg Central Catholic, PA)


Liberatore sat 83-85 out of a high 3/4 arm slot with some arm side run to his fastball at the PA Top Prospect Games. The 6-foot-3, 180-pound righty continues to flash one of the top changeups in his class at 75 mph. He throws the pitch with regularity at any count and with sinking action. Liberatore's 70 mph 11/5 breaking curveball continues to improve and provides a solid third option in his arsenal. The talented senior has since announced his commitment to Campbell University.

#6  2015 RHP Ryan DeWalt (Germantown Academy, PA)


DeWalt sat 83-85 with his 4-seam fastball out of a high 3/4 arm slot at the PA Top Prospect Games. The 5-foot-11, 185-pound righty also flashed an 81-82 mph 2-seam fastball with cutting action. DeWalt displayed command of a 72 mph curveball with 11/5 rotation and a 73 mph changeup thrown at fastball arm speed. He was able to induce six ground ball outs while striking out two in three innings of work. DeWalt has gone on to commit to Lehigh University.

#7  2015 RHP Mike Mock (Central, PA)


Mock sat 84-86 while touching 87 mph early in three innings of work at the PA Top Prospect Games. The 6-foot, 170-pound two-way prospect also commanded a 68 mph curveball with 11/5 rotation and a 65 mph knuckle ball with sharp down break. Mock struck out seven while working around some command issues. Mock is currently ranked No. 104 in the PA Class of 2015 and remains uncommitted.

#8  2015 RHP Trentin Martin (Altoona, PA) 


Martin sat 84-86 from a 3/4 arm slot with arm side run and late life to his fastball at the PBR Mid-Atlantic Border Battle. The 6-foot-2, 180-pound uncommitted senior displayed a loose arm and a three pitch mix of complimentary pitches. Martin featured a 74 mph curveball, a 78 mph slider and a 78 mph changeup that he was able to command consistently for strikes. The righty allowed one run over five ininngs of work spanning two days of the event.

#9  2016 RHP Jacob Bolander (East Fairmont, WV)


Bolander was named Co-MVP of the Black Team following his five innings of work on the mound over two days of game actions. The 6-foot-1, 185-pound righty sat 81-83 from a high 3/4 arm slot giving up just one run on two hits while striking out four. Bolander also commanded a 71 mph curveball with tight 11/5 rotation and a 70 mph changeup thrown at fastball arm speed. The junior has sound, repeatable mechanics and a frame that projects for velocity gains in the coming years.

#10  2015 LHP Kipp Brewer (Nitro, WV)


Brewer sat 80-81 for three scoreless innings with some cut action to his fastball at the WV Top Prospect Games. The 6-foot, 175-pound lefty also commanded a 73 mph curveball with tight 1/7 rotation and a 72 mph changeup with fade. Brewer pounded the corners and had a feel for all three pitches while striking out seven and yielding just three hits. The uncommitted senior registered a 78 mph bat exit velocity and flashed an accurate 74 mph arm from the outfield as well. Currently ranked No. 9 in the WV Class of 2015, Brewer is likely to draw considerable interest for his pitchability prior to the early signing period in November.


Complete run down of Summer Pitching performances