Rick O'Brien: Ranking area's top pitchers

This week, we begin ranking the best in local baseball. We start with the most important position, pitcher.

Our top 10 list was based on arm strength, movement, accuracy, smarts, composure, and ability to mix pitches.

Please note that some two-position players, like Neumann-Goretti junior Mark Donato, will be mentioned at the spot where they excel the most or are projected to play at the next level. In the hard-hitting Donato's case, that is likely first base.

1. Eric Ruth, North Penn, senior. The righthander and Winthrop recruit throws hard, in the 84- to 89-m.p.h. range, and has a first-pitch strike percentage of about 70. He knows how to throw inside.

2. Keenan Kish, Germantown Academy, junior. The flame-throwing righthander has been clocked at 90 m.p.h. He has orally committed to Wake Forest.

3. Tim Cooney, Malvern Prep, senior. This southpaw and Wake Forest recruit has solid mechanics, clean arm action and quality off-speed stuff. He throws in the 87- to 89-m.p.h. range.

4. Jim Stokes, Hill School, senior. Stokes, a righthander ticketed for Elon, has a big fastball, nice breaking ball, and smooth delivery. He has been clocked at 91 m.p.h.

5. Jesse Biddle, Germantown Friends, junior. Equipped with a 92-m.p.h. fastball, the 6-5, 220-pound southpaw has orally committed to Oregon. Other top-flight programs were interested.

6. Shawn O'Neill, La Salle, senior. O'Neill, a southpaw and Richmond recruit, spots the ball well, throws three pitches for strikes, and is a terrific competitor and teammate.

7. Neal Herring, West Chester East, senior. The righthander, bound for Penn State, has a fastball clocked at 92 m.p.h. On average, he strikes out one batter per inning.

8. Andrew Strenge, Holy Ghost Prep, senior. The righthander and Cincinnati recruit effectively mixes a fastball (clocked at 86 to 88 m.p.h.), curveball, and change-up.

9. Jeff Kelly, Owen J. Roberts, senior. Kelly, a righthander headed for Pittsburgh, has natural movement, keeps the ball down in the zone, and throws in the mid 80-m.p.h. range.

10. Taylor Runge, Octorara, senior. With his 6-7, 215-pound frame, the towering righthander strikes fear into hitters. Runge, a Bucknell recruit, has clear potential to play in the pros.

Twenty others to watch (listed alphabetically): Al Baur, Neumann-Goretti, junior; Mike Bradstreet, North Penn, senior; Kevin Cahill, Conwell-Egan, senior; Matt Clary, Malvern Prep, senior; Elliot Criss, Spring-Ford, junior; Kevin Gillen, St. Joseph's Prep, senior; Ryan Haley, Monsignor Bonner, senior; Nick Hinkson, Hatboro-Horsham, junior; Jay Lynch, West Chester East, senior; Matt McAllister, Archbishop Wood, junior; Slater McCue, Conestoga, junior; Keith Moyer, Souderton, junior; Kyle Mullen, St. Joseph's Prep, senior; Ryan Nice, Christopher Dock, senior; Shane Petrellis, Council Rock South, senior; Brandon Sady, Chestnut Hill Academy, senior; JJ Sims, Haverford High, senior; Brian Susten, Northeast, senior; Tim Vernon, Germantown Academy, senior; Ben Ware, Haverford School, senior.

Go-getter. As a three-sport standout at Pennridge High, Brad Herrmann has not had much free time in recent years. Next school year, when he concentrates on football at Millersville, he may go stir-crazy in the off-season.

While also playing baseball and wrestling, Herrmann has worked hard at balancing athletics and academics. And, whenever time allows, he gets in the occasional hunting trip with family members or friends.

"We hunt geese, deer and ducks," Herrmann said. "One of the things I enjoy most about it is just being outdoors and experiencing the great scenery."

In baseball, Herrmann, a quick-footed centerfielder and closer, has the Rams, winners of five of their first seven games, in the hunt for a Suburban One League Continental Conference championship. From the No. 3 hole, he was batting .368 with seven RBIs, six runs and two home runs.

Herrmann has been the squad's closer the last two seasons. The righthander mixes a fastball, change-up and curveball. "I really don't let the pressure get to me," he said. "I just go out and throw the ball."

Pennridge's other leaders on the diamond include senior shortstop and cleanup man Eric Kammler, junior leftfielder Ryan Metzler, sophomore second baseman and pitcher Dylan Tice, and junior rightfielder Pete Leatherman.

The 6-foot, 160-pound Herrmann, of Perkasie, was one of the area's best dual-threat quarterbacks in the fall. Last season, he passed for 1,003 yards (and seven touchdowns) and rushed for 1,001 (and 15 TDs).