South Jersey Pitcher Solometo Drafted By Pittsburgh Pirates

SICKLERVILLE, NJ — One South Jersey pitcher won’t go far to pursue his dreams of a big league career.

Bishop Eustace Prep School senior Anthony Solometo has been drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates. The National League Central team took the left-handed pitcher with the 37th overall pick.

The 6’5,” 218-poundSolometo was the 17th-ranked draft prospect, and second-ranked left-handed pitcher, according to mlb.com. He had committed to play college baseball at North Carolina before being drafted on Monday.

The scouting report reads:

"If you’re a big high school left-hander who has an unusual delivery, chances are you’re going to draw some Madison Bumgarner or MacKenzie Gore comps. Solometo, the New Jersey prepster who threw well over the summer at events like the Area Code Games, has gotten both. And that’s a big reason why he was being carefully watched as the Draft approached, with solid performances in New Jersey raising his stock.

"The combination of a 6-foot-3 frame and left-handedness have many scouts feeling very bullish about Solometo’s chances at the next level. With a Gore-like high kick and a Bumgarner-esque three-quarter delivery, the North Carolina recruit throws his fastball in the 90-94 mph range with good power and life. He has outstanding command of the pitch, already showing the ability to challenge right-handed hitters inside with it. His breaking ball is at its best when it’s more of a true slider, and though it can get a little too big at times and become slurvy, it still plays well off of his arm slot. He has an average changeup now, but he has the chance to have three above-average pitches in the future.

"The funk in Solometo’s delivery adds a ton of deception, making his already good stuff play up even more. He repeats it well and has a good idea of how to use his stuff. After a firm jump on the map over the summer, the southpaw has really moved up boards this spring, with a chance to land in the first round."

“I didn’t see this coming,” Solometo told NJ Advance Media after being drafted. “This is amazing, an exhilarating feeling. We talked to them a little bit; talked with Red Sox and Rangers. But we didn’t know who would definitely pick me. To see my name was an amazing feeling.”

Solometo won a state championship as a freshman at Gloucester Catholic, where he played for two years before transferring to Bishop Eustace, according to the Courier Post. As a Crusader, he helped Bishop Eustace win the Diamond Classic.

Solometo was the second South Jersey player taken in this year's Major League Baseball Draft. Jack Leiter was the first New Jersey native taken. Read more here: Jack Leiter, Delbarton Grad And Son Of Al Leiter, Drafted No. 2

Monday was the second day of the 2021 MLB Draft, which is held in Secaucus. It runs through Tuesday.