PBR Illinois Pitcher of the Week: Austin Musso

Mascoutah is one of the hottest teams in the state right now, boasting an 11-2 record after going a perfect 2-0 this past week. One prime reason for Mascoutah’s success this spring has been thanks to RHP Austin Musso (2025) and his dominance on the mound. For his outstanding efforts on the mound, Musso has been named this week’s PBR Illinois Pitcher of the Week. 

In a 3-0 victory over Belleville West, the right-hander took a perfect game into the sixth inning against a scrappy West offense, walking the leadoff man in the sixth and eventually ending his day with six innings pitched, no hits, no runs, eight strikeouts and one walk. 

We actually had staff on-hand for this game, and this is what they had to say about Musso; “Works with pace and tempo on the mound, lead leg lifts to an upright posture at balance, tall/fall type mover downhill. Consistently finished in line and onto a firm front leg, tall through release. Clear competitive presence on the mound, challenged and trusted his stuff throughout, got ahead often. Short quick arm draw out the glove, finished from a clean high ¾ slot. Fastball touched 88 mph twice in the second inning, held 85-87 mph in a 90+ pitch outing. Flashed some life up in the zone, worked mostly on the corners with comfort going in-and-out to both handed hitters. Commanded it in the zone throughout. Landed a 70-71 mph curveball with depth and gradual action for strikes. Turned to a firm, tight, more laterally spun slider at 74-77 mph for whiffs, used it mostly to the glove-side corner of the plate. In 17 innings pitched this spring, across four starts, has struck out 31 batters and walked only five, failing to allow an earned run yet. Has the stuff, makeup, and mound presence to be a frontline arm now, and at the next level. Continues to show out as a high-follow arm in the state’s 2025 class.”

(Austin Musso - 4/3/23)

A standout from Missouri's GBA Scout Day this past winter, Musso has taken on a large role within Mascoutah’s rotation and he’s likely surpassed any expectations; firing 20 innings with only 10 hits, 35 strikeouts, seven walks and a 2.25 ERA - with all of his earned runs on the season coming in his most recent start. As only a sophmore, Musso is an exciting up-and-coming arm in the state to keep an eye on.