Pitt got a commitment from right-handed pitcher Rodney Pena on Monday, adding to their burgeoning class of 2024.
Pena hails from Paterson, N.J. and currently plays for DePaul Catholic High School in nearby Wayne, N.J. His plan currently is to graduate from DePaul Catholic in 2023 and then attend Citius Prep in Mount Vernon, N.Y., where he will spend a year working on his game, mechanics and more before he joins Pitt in 2024.
He currently stands at 6-foot and 190 pounds and uses his frame well to dominate opposing hitters. His most valuable asset is his fastball, which he currently delivers at around 93 mph and looks to increase its velocity before joining the Panthers. He also possesses a breaking ball that runs at 76 mph and breaks 20 inches horizontally, which can get into the bottom of the zone with its late movement.
Outside of playing pitcher, Pena also features in the midfield at both third base and shortstop. He is a solid fielder and uses his arm strong to throw out runners with ease. At the plate, he possesses good bat speed and is able to extend his swing to hit pitches that are low or out of the zone.
Pena joins the growing Pitt class of 2024. Two players in shortstop Joey Spano Jr. and middle infielder Andy Perez committed just last week. Outfielder Julian Irizarry and infielder Nick Slogik committed within the past two months as well.
