Pitt Adds Seven to 2016 Recruiting Class
11/23/2015 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
PITTSBURGH - University of Pittsburgh head baseball coach Joe Jordano has officially announced the signing of seven student-athletes to the 2016 recruiting class.
"I am very pleased with the signing of this class," said head coach Joe Jordano. "In addition to two other players that we will be announcing shortly, the 2016 class follows the very talented 2015 class that entered this fall. We are making very positive strides in assembling the talent that will position us favorably in the future. Our administration has helped us accommodate for the MLB Draft that decimated our roster over the past two seasons. This was a huge step in ensuring we have a healthy, functional roster heading into the spring season. My staff of Coach Oakes, Coach Peters and Coach Alvino do a great job identifying the right type of student-athlete that wants to be a part of this program."
Pitt Baseball 2016 Recruiting Class:
| Name | Position | HT/WT | Hometown/Previous School |
| Alexander Amos | INF | 5'9"/175 | Winchester, Va./Millbrook |
| Blair Calvo | RHP | 6'3"/205 | St. Augustine, Fla./Eastern Florida St. |
| Daniel Hammer | RHP | 6'2"/175 | Philadelphia, Pa/Father Judge |
| Jacob Jessell | C | 6'0"/230 | Swissvale, Pa./Woodland Hills |
| Kaylor Kulina | INF | 5'10"/170 | Hummelstown, Pa./Polk State College |
| Peyton Reesman | LHP | 6'6"/220 | Lewistown, Pa./Mifflin County |
| Zachary Zientarski | 1B/OF/RHP | 6'3"/225 | Jupiter, Fla./Boca Raton |
• Alexander Amos | INF
Winchester, Va./Millbrook
Amos brings athleticism and a high baseball IQ to Pitt with experience playing multiple infield positions. He has been ranked as high as the 10th prospect in Virginia, 97th nationally, by Prep Baseball Report and received 2015 Underclass Honorable Mention from Perfect Game USA. He was named All-Northwestern District Player of the Year last season as a junior while earning First Team 4A All-State honors at shortstop. As a sophomore, Amos batted .373 with 12 RBIs and 20 runs scored while primarily serving as the team's catcher while they played their way to the Virginia 4A State Championship before coming up short. The Pioneers have posted a combined 50-15 record in Amos' three years.
Jordano on Amos:"He is an infielder with a lot of energy. He's a baseball player, what would be labeled a cage rat or a scrapper. He knows how to play the game and can handle a bat and play in the middle of the infield."
Amos on Pitt: "I believe Pitt will continue to develop into a strong baseball competitor in the ACC and I wanted to be a part of that process. I am excited about becoming a part of the Pitt community and experiencing everything it has to offer, from attending sporting events, to academic opportunities, to serving the community. "
• Blair Calvo | RHP
St. Augustine, Fla./Nease
Calvo comes to Pitt by way of Eastern Florida State College, where he logged 80.2 innings of work and tallied a 2.12 ERA with 62 strikeouts. He was also dominant in his final two years of high school, going 9-0 with a 0.72 ERA as a junior before posting a 7-2 record and 0.95 ERA as a senior. He was rewarded with back-to-back First Team All-District, First Team All-County, and First Team Gold Coast honors. Perfect Game ranks him among the top fifty righties in the state of Florida.
Jordano on Calvo:"He's a right-handed pitcher who will come in with a lot of experience and pitching knowledge. Florida JUCO ball is tremendous and he was coached by a former big league pitcher. He has a strong pitcher's frame and good stuff to go along with it."
Calvo on Pitt: "I chose Pitt because from the second I got off the airplane to the second I left, all I could think about was what the University of Pittsburgh was going to become. I could see it in the coaching staff and the players that in the near future, Pitt is going to create something special within its program."
• Daniel Hammer | RHP
Philadelphia, Pa./Father Judge
Hammer was rated the ninth best prospect in the state of Pennsylvania by Perfect Game USA. The right-hander's dominance was on display this spring as he tossed a no-no for his high school team back on May 7. His 2015 campaign netted him the Philadelphia Catholic League's First Team All-Catholic selection. Athletic ability runs in the family as his sister is currently a collegiate softball player at West Chester University.
Jordano on Hammer:"He is a right-handed pitcher with good athleticism and good stuff already. He's a young man with a lot of potential."
Hammer on Pitt: "I chose Pitt because the atmosphere and sense of community were truly unique. The grounds and facilities were very impressive, along with the thought of being able to compete with some of the best teams in the country. I can't wait for the journey ahead of me in becoming a Pitt Panther, taking on new challenges that will make me a better all-around person and player."
• Jacob Jessell | C
Swissvale, Pa./Woodland Hills
Jessell is ranked as the 10th best player in Pennsylvania by Perfect Game USA, and was ranked as high as 43rd in the nation by MaxPreps before missing out on a large portion of his sophomore season due to injury. Jessell rebounded well this year, earning a 2015 Underclass Third Team selection from Perfect Game. He's also demonstrated talent on the mound with a fastball that touches the low 90s.
Jordano on Jessell:"He could be a two-way guy for us as a factor on the mound or as a catcher. He is good behind the plate, a strong hitter, and throws well on the mound. Plus, he's a Pittsburgh kid."
Jessell on Pitt: "I chose Pitt because I like the school and Oakland, and it's close to home. My family gets to come watch every home game. I'm excited about getting to play baseball against the best competition in the country. Being a Panther always excited me because the team is like a family."
• Kaylor Kulina | INF
Hummelstown, Pa./Lower Dauphin
Kulina comes to Pitt by way of Polk State College, where as a freshman last season he batted .313 with 22 RBIs and 32 runs scored for the Eagles. He brings an additional speed threat for the Panthers having stolen 27 bases in 35 attempts last year as well. His senior year of high school, Kulina raked .438 to cement a career .390 average and eclipse the school record for runs scored. The baseball pedigree is strong in his family, with his brother Casey currently a pitcher at Jacksonville University and his father Ken drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in 1989. One uncle, Jim, was drafted by the Reds in the seventh round of the '73 draft while another, the late Kelly Kulina, coached at multiple levels, including the University of Maryland.
Jordano on Kulina:"He's a left-handed hitter who can play anywhere in the infield. He's another kid with great work habits, another cage rat. He handles the bat well, has good feet and hands in the infield, and comes with experience from Florida JUCO baseball."
Kulina on Pitt: "I chose Pitt because of the outstanding academic support it has to offer, and for the opportunity to play back in my home state of Pennsylvania which makes it easier for my family and friends to support. To get the opportunity to compete at the highest level and play against the best talent in the country every week is extremely exciting."
• Peyton Reesman | LHP
Lewistown, Pa./Mifflin County
Reesman is currently ranked 15th in Pennsylvania and is the third-ranked left-hander in the state by Perfect Game USA. He went 3-1 with a 1.95 ERA in 43 innings pitched last season as a junior at Mifflin County. His top performance came in April against Cumberland Valley, striking out 14 in seven innings of shutout ball. He was selected to the Commonwealth Division Second Team All-Stars for his efforts on the year. As a sophomore, Reesman posted a 2.28 ERA with 53 strikeouts in 30.2 innings of work.
Jordano on Reesman:"He's a big, physical, left-handed arm and another Pennsylvania kid who has loads of upside. He's only scratched the surface of his potential. We're excited about what he will bring down the road."
Reesman on Pitt: "I chose Pitt because of the energy of the coaching staff, amazing facilities, and the high level of competition in the ACC. The first rate academic reputation of Pitt was also a factor in my decision. I'm excited about becoming a Panther to have the opportunity to take my game to the next level. I can't wait to compete with this team."
• Zachary Zientarski | 1B/OF/RHP
Jupiter, Fla./Boca Raton
Perfect Game USA ranks Zientarski 19th nationally and second in the state of Florida at first base. In his junior year last spring, Zientarski was named First Team All-District and Second-Team All-County after the Benjamin School posted a 23-5 record in the 2015 campaign. The Panthers hope to utilize his talents all over the diamond, including on the mound. His prowess in multiple phases of the game was on display in April against Coral Springs Charter when he tossed six shutout frames and belted a two-run shot to propel his Buccaneers to a 2-0 victory.
Jordano on Zientarski:"He's a physical kid who could help on the mound and at the plate. As a hitter, he would be described as a power threat. Defensively, he's a corner infielder or outfielder and could also see time on the mound."
Zientarski on Pitt: "Pitt combines both academic and athletic excellence. I was really impressed with the coaches. They're hard-working guys who want to win and want players who are willing to put forth the effort needed to be successful. Pitt is part of my family's history. The first Zientarski to go to college after arriving from Poland attended the University of Pittsburgh. I have a lot of friends who are attending other ACC schools and it would be fun to beat them."