2024 Penn State Baseball Position Battles
- bryanportney01
- Feb 23, 2024
- 3 min read
Catcher
CJ Pittaro, Senior
Why He Should Start: His experience holds weight amid a coaching change. The senior first baseman had an increased role last season, starting in 9 games and holding a batting average of .277 with 8 runs batted in with 47 at-bats.
Will Perkowski, Freshman
Jack Messina, Freshman
Why He Should Start:
Shortstop
Kevin Michaels, Redshirt Senior (Likelihood: Most Likely) [St. John's Transfer]
Why He Should Start: Unlike Molinaro, Michaels actually has college experience, as he is the oldest player in the shortstop room. His stats in 2022 as a redshirt sophomore provides serious upside for Michaels, as he started in all 49 games he played, holding a .330 batting average with 7 home runs and 46 runs batted in with 188 at-bats.
Bryce Molinaro, Sophomore (Likelihood: Probably Not) [St. John's Transfer]
Why He Should Start: Molinaro didn't suit up as a freshman last season, but his numbers as a senior at Hazleton Area High School (PA) pop out, making him look like a strong contender. During his high school senior season, Molinaro started in all 22 games he played, holding a .548 batting average with 9 home runs and 30 runs batted in with just 62 at-bats.
Sunday Starter
RHP Shayne Audet, Graduate (Likelihood: Probably) [New England College Transfer]
Why He Should Start: Audet brings to Happy Valley something that Penn State lacked last season: a consistent starting pitcher. Last season for New England College, Audet started in all 9 games he played, holding a 3-2 record, with a 79-25 K/BB ratio and an impressive 1.61 ERA.
RHP Frankie Sanchez, Junior (Likelihood: Maybe) [SNHU Transfer]
Why He Should Start: Sanchez was part of a winning team with SNHU last season, and was a great contributor to the Penmen's win total. In 2023, Sanchez started in 6 games, holding an 8-1 record, with a 71-22 K/BB ratio and a 2.44 ERA.
RHP Chic DeGaetano, Graduate (Likelihood: Maybe) [Villanova Transfer]
Why He Should Start: DeGaetano is ready to take the next step in his final season of eligibility, and he is the only player out of this group with Division 1 experience. Last season for Villanova, DeGaetano started in 6 games, holding a 2-4 record, with a 48-27 K/BB ratio and a 7.21 ERA.
Midweek Starter
RHP Ben DeMell, Redshirt Sophomore (Likelihood: Most Likely)
Why He Should Start: DeMell was the midweek starter in 2023, and the only way is up for him in 2024 as Penn State's record was 4-2 when he played on Tuesdays. In 2023, DeMell started in 4 games, with a 21-13 K/BB ratio and a 1.13 ERA.
LHP Zach Mizrahi, Sophomore (Likelihood: Maybe) [Daytona State CC Transfer]
Why He Should Start: Mizrahi is a JUCO transfer, and was a bright spot on a roster that went 19-25 last season. In 2023, Mizrahi started in 6 games, holding a 5-1 record, with a 36-28 K/BB ratio and a 9.00 ERA.
Bullpen 'Go-To Guy'
RHP Connor Throneberry, Junior (Likelihood: Probably)
Why He Should Start: With an inexperienced bullpen, Throneberry must step up as a player that only focuses on pitching, unlike Anthony Steele, who is also a first baseman. In 2023, Throneberry had a group-leading 13 relief appearances, with a 13-10 K/BB ratio and a 1.91 ERA.
LHP Anthony Steele, Junior (Likelihood: Probably)
Why He Should Start: Steele can balance being both a first baseman and a bullpen pitcher, with three other first basemen vying for the same job. In 2023, Steele had 10 relief appearances, with a 21-11 K/BB ratio and a 6.43 ERA.
RHP Will Perkowski, Freshman (Likelihood: There's a Chance)
Why He Should Start: He may be just a freshman, but his high school senior season stats pop out, making him look like a real contender. His senior season saw him make 5 appearances, holding a 4-0 record, with a whopping 50-3 K/BB ratio (16.7 K per BB) and a .88 ERA.
RHP Mason Horwat, Freshman (Likelihood: There's a Chance)
Why He Should Start: Horwat is also a freshman, and his senior season was incredible at Avonworth High School (PA). In 2023, Horwat made 9 appearances, holding a 5-0 record, with a 62-14 K/BB ratio and a 0.93 ERA.
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