Lehigh University Athletics
Four Mountain Hawks land on top prospect lists
9/4/2014 2:39:00 PM | Baseball
Perfect Game Top Prospect List | Baseball America Top Prospect List
BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Four members of the Lehigh baseball team were named top pro-level prospects in their respective summer leagues by Perfect Game and Baseball America. Senior Justin Pacchioli was named to the Texas Collegiate League's top prospect list, while juniors Brandon Kulp and Mike Garzillo along with sophomore Patrick Donnelly landed on the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League top prospect list.
Pacchioli was selected as the fifth-best Texas Collegiate League prospect by Baseball America and ninth-best prospect by Perfect Game, only ranking behind players who have already signed professional contracts and student-athletes from Texas A&M, Southern Miss and Oklahoma. Pacchioli was ranked higher than players from SEC powers LSU, Alabama and Arkansas as well as traditional power Texas, including Kacy Clemens, the son of long-time MLB great Roger Clemens. Baseball America referred to Pacchioli as "undoubtedly the best all-around hitter in the TCL".
Pacchioli was named the MVP of the Texas Collegiate League's Victoria Generals after finishing the season with a league-best .370 batting average and leading his team into the championship game. The Easton native's .481 on-base percentage also topped the league as he was named to the All-TCL Team and was a starting outfielder and leadoff hitter in the league's All-Star game. His stellar summer season followed a first team All-Patriot League junior campaign in which Pacchioli's .362 batting average led the league for the second-straight season.
Kulp was ranked No. 2 on Perfect Game's Top 20 ACBL Prospects list and No. 6 on Baseball America's file. A 6'2 right-handed pitcher with a strong arm, Kulp throws a 90-92 mph fastball that can touch 94. The Quakertown native struck out 22 batters in 22.2 innings this summer.
Garzillo was ranked as the fifth-best ACBL prospect on Perfect Game's list and the No. 7 top prospect by Baseball America. The second baseman earned his league's MVP award and was named a summer All-American after topping the league with a .417 batting average and .617 slugging percentage. The Lehigh Valley Catz player also tied for the league lead with five home runs. The dominant summer performance follows a strong sophomore campaign in which Garzillo earned first team All-Patriot League honors and led the Mountain Hawks in multiple offensive categories.
Donnelly was selected as No. 18 on Perfect Game's ACBL prospect list. The Bethlehem native's .385 batting average ranked third in the ACBL, only behind his Lehigh teammates Garzillo and sophomore Jacen Nalesnik. Donnelly's 30 RBI also ranked second in the league. The third baseman had a strong rookie campaign for Lehigh, including a 6-for-11 showing at the plate in the Patriot League Semifinals at Army to help Lehigh advance to the league championship series.
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BETHLEHEM, Pa. – Four members of the Lehigh baseball team were named top pro-level prospects in their respective summer leagues by Perfect Game and Baseball America. Senior Justin Pacchioli was named to the Texas Collegiate League's top prospect list, while juniors Brandon Kulp and Mike Garzillo along with sophomore Patrick Donnelly landed on the Atlantic Collegiate Baseball League top prospect list.
Pacchioli was selected as the fifth-best Texas Collegiate League prospect by Baseball America and ninth-best prospect by Perfect Game, only ranking behind players who have already signed professional contracts and student-athletes from Texas A&M, Southern Miss and Oklahoma. Pacchioli was ranked higher than players from SEC powers LSU, Alabama and Arkansas as well as traditional power Texas, including Kacy Clemens, the son of long-time MLB great Roger Clemens. Baseball America referred to Pacchioli as "undoubtedly the best all-around hitter in the TCL".
Pacchioli was named the MVP of the Texas Collegiate League's Victoria Generals after finishing the season with a league-best .370 batting average and leading his team into the championship game. The Easton native's .481 on-base percentage also topped the league as he was named to the All-TCL Team and was a starting outfielder and leadoff hitter in the league's All-Star game. His stellar summer season followed a first team All-Patriot League junior campaign in which Pacchioli's .362 batting average led the league for the second-straight season.
Kulp was ranked No. 2 on Perfect Game's Top 20 ACBL Prospects list and No. 6 on Baseball America's file. A 6'2 right-handed pitcher with a strong arm, Kulp throws a 90-92 mph fastball that can touch 94. The Quakertown native struck out 22 batters in 22.2 innings this summer.
Garzillo was ranked as the fifth-best ACBL prospect on Perfect Game's list and the No. 7 top prospect by Baseball America. The second baseman earned his league's MVP award and was named a summer All-American after topping the league with a .417 batting average and .617 slugging percentage. The Lehigh Valley Catz player also tied for the league lead with five home runs. The dominant summer performance follows a strong sophomore campaign in which Garzillo earned first team All-Patriot League honors and led the Mountain Hawks in multiple offensive categories.
Donnelly was selected as No. 18 on Perfect Game's ACBL prospect list. The Bethlehem native's .385 batting average ranked third in the ACBL, only behind his Lehigh teammates Garzillo and sophomore Jacen Nalesnik. Donnelly's 30 RBI also ranked second in the league. The third baseman had a strong rookie campaign for Lehigh, including a 6-for-11 showing at the plate in the Patriot League Semifinals at Army to help Lehigh advance to the league championship series.
Like Lehigh baseball on Facebook and follow on Twitter for exclusive content and team updates.
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