Team Ontario at Penn State Baseball Scrimmage: Quick Preview & Questions

Quick Preview

The Nittany Lions will round out the month of September with a scrimmage against Team Ontario on Friday starting at 2:30 p.m. eastern standard time. Penn State swept Saint Bonaventure last Friday by scores of 5-4 and 3-2, and both by result of a walk-off. We asked Bryan Portney about what to expect for the second scrimmage of the fall season.

Questions

Who were you most impressed by in the first scrimmage?

On the stat sheet, IF/OF Jesse Jaconski really impressed me and showed why he can be part of a stacked lineup in the spring. OF/DH Cohl Mercado’s speed was on display on Friday, and his clutch ability can make him a good contender in the spring.

How has the outfield situation changed since last Friday?

The Nittany Lions trotted out Paxton Kling, Mike Lucarelli, Jesse Jaconski, and Jake Haarde in the scrimmage last week. With Lucarelli staying competitive for a spot as a highly touted prospect from the Class of 2023, the outfield race has expanded. Mercado could swap with another outfielder for the designated hitter role as we saw catchers JT Marr and Matt Maloney do that last spring.

How has the left infield situation changed since last Friday?

Shortstop Ryan Weingartner was inactive last week, which leaves many questions at that role. The good part about this situation is that Joe Jaconski can play anywhere in the infield and Cole Wagner can take over at first base with depth to spare, just in case Weingartner is out for an extended period of time.

Who would you like to see improve their hitting?

Middle infielder Derek Cease has great fielding skills, but he’s not trusted with a bat. That was reinforced with an 0-for-3 performance and that he was showing bunt in a clutch situation. Him and outfielder Mike Lucarelli, who went 0-for-5 with a whopping 5 strikeouts last Friday, need to get a better bat around the ball in order to stay competitive for spots.

Who has the most power on the team?

So far, Cole Wagner has shown that he can hit the ball far the most, as he did so with a double to right field that was a few feet short of clearing the fence. With 12 home runs in 89 career games with Georgia in the SEC, Wagner has the bat that can match most speedy pitchers.

How has the rotation changed since last Friday?

Lefthander Ryan DeSanto and righthander Frankie Sanchez did not play in last week’s scrimmage, but lefthander Logan Olson and righthander Mason Horwat made their impressions. It would be beneficial to see potential starters compete in real game action during the fall, especially against the premier prospects that Team Ontario has.

How has the bullpen changed since last Friday?

Lefthander Anthony Steele and righthander Mason Butash struggled last week, but righthander Ben DeMell got the job done as he struck out the side. There is a lot left to be played out, but 23 strikeouts in 14 innings is nothing to scoff at.

What were your thoughts on Chase Renner’s performance in the first scrimmage?

He had fastballs in the mid-90s consistently but couldn’t target the strike zone well enough, but he should be given some slack in his first game since being injured. If he can get his speed under control, we could see him become a top-three closer in the Big Ten.

What do you want to see more of from the pitching staff?

This Friday, the Nittany Lion pitchers shouldn’t have to wait for a crowded-base situation before striking out the side. Keeping the game under control and playing the fundamentals will go a long way for this team.

Which player(s) are under the most pressure?

On the offensive side, I think MIF Derek Cease has a lot of pressure. After being a late-game defensive specialist in the final games of the season, his bad hitting skills could open the door for MIF Patrick Graham to step into the second baseman position.

On the pitching side, I think RHP Frankie Sanchez is under the most pressure. After experiencing a rough transition from Division 2 to the Big Ten in 2024, he’ll either shape up or ship out in the spring.

What’s the best walk-up song you heard last Friday?

Joe Jaconski’s ‘Unwritten’ by Natasha Beddingfield. Can’t go wrong with a classic.