Southpaw Hurler Mitchell Commits To Elon

MILTON, Ma. - The third time proved to be the charm for Tommy Mitchell and with it came a commitment to Elon.

“They saw me three times, once in Boston and twice down south, in Alabama and Georgia,” Mitchell related about the D-I university in North Carolina. “I didn’t pitch that well but they liked how I got outs and competed. After the third time I went on a visit, liked it and committed a week later.”

A college decision for Mitchell came down to Elon and Northeastern, with Virginia Tech, Boston College and Connecticut others under consideration throughout the recruiting process.

“It’s a beautiful school with great academics and great athletics,” Mitchell said of Elon. “It’s the right fit for me.”

There was more that stood out about Elon with the Milton High School junior.

“I really like the coaching staff,” Mitchell noted. “They really believe in me and I believe in them.” 

NEB coaches Scott Patterson and Mike Abraham helped connect the Colonial Athletic Association university with the second-rated 2024 left-handed pitcher in New England, who also gave credit to high school coaches Brendan Morrissey and Ryan Stoller, NEB pitching coach John DaRouin and Pinnacle strength coach Jason Aguilar with playing major roles in his development and recruitment.

“They helped make me a more competitive pitcher and a more athletic pitcher,” Mitchell said of his work with the coaches. “I’m throwing harder and executing pitches better.”

A jump in velo helped the cause for the 6-3 173-pound southpaw, who went from 72 velocity to topping at 82 in a year’s time to 88 this summer.

“I went to a PBR showcase in March and put up good numbers,” reflected Mitchell, who hit 85 at the Western New England Preseason All-State event. “Everything really started after that. Coaches came to see me in high school and then this summer I was pitching in front of them which was stressful, but a good experience.”

It was only a few years back that the 17-year-old understood his potential in the game of baseball.

“At the age of 14 I realized I had a shot,” Mitchell related. “Over the past year I realized it was a real possibility with all the work I’ve put in and the velocity jumps.”

The 15th-ranked junior in New England is confident about what he can provide the program at Elon, which hosted the CAA tournament this past season for the first time ever.

“I think I have a good chance to be a good pitcher there,” Mitchell said. “I’ll be a guy that gets outs, which is sometimes overshadowed these days. I also think I’ll be a leader on the team.”

Going to a college that is a two-hour flight from home is not a concern according to the top-rated 2024 left-handed pitcher in Massachusetts.

“It will be good to explore another part of the country,” Mitchell explained. “It will be hard being away from home but it will be good for me.”

Travel is just one area about playing at the next level that Mitchell is excited about.

“I’m looking forward to competing against the best teams in the country,” Mitchell noted. “I’m excited for the passion of the game of college baseball.”

A 3.9 student at Milton, Mitchell has plans to major in finance at Elon, a university located in north central North Carolina, just a half  hour east of Greensboro.

“It was a really exciting time for me and my family when I committed,” Mitchell said. “I owe it all to them.”

The focus now turns to continued improvement.

“I’m working on putting on weight,” Mitchell said. “It’s important to continue learning how to execute pitches better late in the count and adding velocity will also be important at that level.”