'Path To Being Elite Is Short' For Left-Handed Pitcher Papay

Brody Papay LHP / Avon, OH / 2025

AVON - Brody Papay has the next few months of baseball planned out.

“I’ll continue the throwing program, keep getting better and prepare for spring,” the Avon High School junior said. “I want to take more visits, stay in contact with the schools I’ve been talking to and get a feel of where I want to go.”

Bowling Green and Kentucky are camps being considered by the sixth-rated 2025 left-handed pitcher in Ohio, who has taken visits to Ohio State, Cincinnati and Lake Erie College since interest from colleges began after the Future Games.

“I got some calls rolling in on Aug. 1,” Papay reflected. “The first calls were Penn State and Bowling Green, Wright State messaged me a bunch of pictures, I got a text from Ohio U and heard from St. John’s.”

All three visits were enjoyable according to the top-rated uncommitted junior pitcher in Ohio.

“It was a sweet experience,” Papay summed up about checking out the three schools in-state. “I went to a football game at Ohio State3 and looked around and explored all the campuses.”

There is no hurry in making a decision.

“I’m taking it slow,” Papay noted. “It matters how far away it is. I want a good-sized school, I don’t want to see everyone the same day. I’m looking for a great program that really cares about their players, helps you progress and turns you into a better player.”

The 6-5 205-pounder has been making strides in his game.

“This offseason I started a throwing program on Tuesdays and Thursdays with my travel team, T3 Warhawks,” Papy related. “Arm recovery, arm care and exercises to fix mechanics. We’ve been doing this for 6-7 weeks and we’re at 90 percent. I’m also doing trackman with New York Mets pitching coach Jordan Kraus.

“Incorporated with the program we have lifts, so I’m definitely getting stronger. I’m excited to get on the radar to compare numbers with last year and excited to pass that, hopefully touch that 90 mark.”

Jordan Chiero, PBR Ohio Director of Scouting, has high praise when it comes to the third-rated 2025 left-handed pitcher in the state.

“This is a bold statement but I think Papay has one of the shortest paths to being an elite prospect in this class,” explained Chiero. “He’s 6-5, up to 87 miles an hour and already with an on-time delivery and more than serviceable secondary. His fastball profile makes it very difficult to barrel.

“So what does he have to do to be a guy pro scouts come out and see in the spring of 2025? Gain a few miles and hour and throw strikes? That doesn’t seem too far-fetched.”

The 16-year-old believes he can be a benefit wherever he ends up.

“I’ll be a great asset to the team,” Papay explained. “I work hard, which can help the team win. I’m also a student-athlete. I try to perform great in school. I put school work first.”

Papay, whose 3.59 accumulative GPA heading into this semester is on the rise with a 4.2 GPA to date this year, has dreamed about a life in baseball since his youth.

“I believe every kid’s dream when they’re younger is to play in college and MLB,” the 24th-ranked junior in Ohio said. “Slowly as time has progressed it’s becoming a reality. I started playing travel ball late, at 13. I feel I always had the potential and length, throwing hard. Coaches have helped me develop. This summer going to Georgia helped me make it not just a dream.”

As for when a college decision will be made, the thought now is “either the end of spring or end of summer” according to Papay.

“It depends when the best offer comes,” Papay concluded. “Coaches that saw me at the Future Games have not seen me since. I feel if I delay the process, there’s more of a chance they can see me in the summer.”