Prep Baseball Report

Become a Member

More +

Slippery Rock Announces 2015 Early Signing Class

December 2, 2014

By Greg Williams
PA Director of Scouting

Slippery Rock University head coach Jeff Messer recently announced the signing of six players to National Letters of Intent during the November early signing period. The Rock comes off a 25-20 season and an appearance in the PSAC tournament. Messer, the longest tenured head coach in Pennsylvania, enters his 30th season guiding the Slippery Rock program just six wins shy of 900 career victories. Among the long list of accomplishments on Messer's resume, possibly the most impressive is the fact that he has seen just one Slippery Rock team finish with a record below .500 in his 29 seasons at the helm. 

2015 Early Commits

P/OF Chris Anastas (Central Valley HS, PA) 

Joe CampagnaIF/OF Joe Campagna (Blackhawk HS, PA) - PBR Rank #64

PBR: Campagna missed day one activities, but made the most of his day two opportunity by going 2-for-3 with an opposite field home run in game action at the 2014 PA Top Prospect Games. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound right-handed hitter has a physical build and a quiet approach at the plate with a strong lower half that creates barrel whip. Campagna has displayed capable actions at 2B and the athleticism that would allow him to play a corner outfield spot or make the slide to 3B at the next level.

Shane ChurmaIF/OF Shane Churma (Penn-Trafford HS, PA) - PBR Rank #53

PBR: Churma swung one of the hottest sticks for any team participating at the 2013 PBR Future Games as a member of Team Pennsylvania. The 5-foot-9, 170-pound left-handed hitter went 4-for-6 with two triples, two RBI and two runs scored in game action. Churma had several lengthy at bats during the course of the event, wasting quality pitches until he got a pitch he could handle.

P Donald Colucci (Neshannock HS, PA) 

RHP Wyatt Daugherty (Butler HS, PA)

PBR: Daugherty is a 5-foot-10, 185-pound righty that sits in the low to mid-80s with command of a solid breaking ball at 75 mph. 

Frankie JezioroOF Frankie Jezioro (Peters Township HS, PA) - PBR Rank #72

PBR: Jezioro displayed the skill set that makes him so projectable over the course of the three day PBR Mid-Atlantic Border Battle in July. His 6.62 foot speed and the ability to switch hit with some pop from both sides of the plate places him among the top outfielders in Pennsylvania. Jezioro showcased his ability to cover a large amount of territory in the outfield along with a 92 mph arm. The switch-hitter has a similar open stance with a high hands load from both sides of the plate. He has a bit of length on the left side of the plate but he also shows the greatest power potential as a lefty. Jezioro registered an 89 mph bat exit velocity and clocked a 4.04 to first base from the left hand box in game action.

Q&A With the Coach

PBR: What do you feel are the strengths of this recruiting class?

Messer: In the 2015 recruiting class we feel like we addressed the needs we were looking to fill. We 
welcome 6 recruits that are athletic and hardworking that will be able to compete from day one.

PBR: What advice would you have for underclassmen just beginning the recruiting process that might help them in this process?

Messer: The best advice for an underclassman is to reach out to the schools you have an interest in right away. The process is starting much earlier now and it's better to be proactive as a recruit. If baseball is a must for you in college take a look at a number of schools at all different levels and keep an open mind. 

Additional pa news: