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Pitt Panthers Announce 2016 Early Signing Class

November 24, 2015

By Greg Williams
PA/WV Director of Scouting

Pittsburgh and head coach Joe Jordano have announced the signing of five players to National Letters of Intent, including four standouts from Pennsylvania. The Panthers went 20-32 in 2015, including a 9-20 mark in the rugged ACC Conference. The Panthers will look to build on last years 12-13 record in home games.

2016 PA EARLY COMMITS

http://www.prepbaseballreport.com/passets/photo/PA/8426079531-Hammer.jpgDan Hammer, RHP, Father Judge
PBR Rank: #17 in PA, #399 in PBR combined Class of 2016 rankings 
PBR Notes: Hammer made a dramatic jump in the PA rankings following an impressive showing at the 2014 PA Top Prospect Games. The 6-foot-2, 170-pound righty uses an overhead rocker delivery and a long, loose arm action in running his fastball into the low 90s. Hammer has also includes an upper 70 curveball and a low 80s changeup with excellent arm speed in his arsenal of offerings.

Jake JessellJake Jessell, C/RHP, Woodland Hills
PBR Rank: #2 in WV, #195 in PBR combined Class of 2016 rankings
PBR Notes: 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. Jessell has shown legitimate power (95-mph exit velo) while also being able to hit for average. Defensively, he shows a soft glove hand and good transfer, while making accurate throws with top pop times of 1.97-2.05 and arm strength of 79-mph from the crouch. Jessell participated in the PBR Future Games for Team Pennsylvania in 2013 and will participate in the Super 60 Pro Showcase this February.

Kaylor KulinaKaylor Kulina, IF, Lower Dauphin
PBR Rank: #58 in PA Class of 2014. Transfer from Polk State College (FL).
PBR Notes: Kulina was one of the top middle infielders in Pennsylvania's 2014 class. The left-handed hitter batted .313 with 22 RBI and 32 runs scored while swiping 27 bags in 35 attempts as a freshman at Polk State. Kulina was a member of the Team Pennsylvania roster in the 2013 Big 26 Classic and helped lead Lower Dauphin to the AAAA state title game as a junior. 

Peyton ReesmanPeyton Reesman, LHP, Mifflin County
PBR Rank: #16 in PA, #343 in PBR combined Class of 2016 rankings
PBR Notes: Reesman is a 6-foot-6, 220-pound lefty that showcased a big upside topping at 86 mph as a member of Team PA at the 2014 PBR Future Games. The lefty appears to still be growing and finding his body physically with the potential for significant added velocity in the future. Reesman struggls with command at times, but when he finds his arm slot he displays late life to his fastball from a 3/4 arm slot and his 77 mph curveball shows good depth.

REMAINDER OF THE CLASS

Alex Amos, IF, Millbrook (VA) 
PBR Rank: #18 in Virginia, #282 in PBR combined Class of 2016 rankings

Blair Calvo, RHP, Eastern Florida State (FL)

Zach Zientarski, 1B/OF/RHP, Eastern Florida State (FL) 
PBR Rank: #91 in Florida, #344 in PBR combined Class of 2016 rankings

ADDITIONAL PA NEWS: