PBR Illinois Pitcher of the Week: Nick Baffa
May 17, 2023
RHP Nick Baffa (2024) had a busy week on the mound, as he toed the rubber twice for Notre Dame College Prep and finished with a weekly line of two wins, 11.1 innings pitched, three runs allowed and 16 strikeouts. For his efforts, Baffa has been named this week’s Pitcher of the Week.
To start his week, the right-hander toed the rubber against No. 2 Nazareth on May 6th and led his team to a 8-6 victory, firing five innings with six hits, three runs and six strikeouts - also collecting the go-ahead RBI with a suicide squeeze.
His next start came on May 13th in a 4-0 victory over Joliet Catholic. In this contest, Baffa fired 6.2 innings to earn the win - scattering five hits with no runs and striking out 10.
On the season, the uncommitted junior is currently 3-1 with 30 innings pitched, a 1.65 ERA and 41 strikeouts.
Listed at 6-foot-1, 155-pounds, Baffa is an upside right-hander to know within the state. A member of Team Illinois at the Future Games this past summer, Baffa can work his fastball up to 88 mph with ride/run through the zone from a low release height. He compliments his fastball with a tight 11/5 curveball and fading changeup that comes from a similar fastball release. Baffa has shown the ability in the past to control his tempo throughout his delivery to mess with hitters' timing, while still being able to maintain control over his arsenal. Keep an eye out for Baffa to continue to trend upwards as he advances physically in the coming years.
Scouting Report
RHP Nick Baffa (Niles Notre Dame) is an athletic, upside arm that toed the rubber for Team Illinois at last summer’s Future Games and remains on the market. The 6-foot-1, 155-pound loose-levered junior still has plenty of upside in the frame and velocity to tap into down the road thanks to a loose, free-flowing athletic arm action. Baffa pounds the strike zone with a fastball that topped at 88.1 mph, landing in the zone 83% of the time. He also shows above-average feel for his 68-70 mph curveball (75% strikes) and late fading changeup. Athletic uncommitted arm to keep tabs on moving forward.