Penn Charter outfielder picks Virginia
Even with no varsity experiense yet, Penn Charter freshman outfielder Mike Siani commits to playing for the Cavaliers.
DESPITE NOT yet seeing a single pitch of varsity baseball action, Penn Charter freshman outfielder Mike Siani committed to the University of Virginia last weekend.
The 5-11, lefty, who recently turned 15, picked up scouting attention during summer ball with the Whiz Kids baseball organization. Siani, who lives in Glenside, also competed in tournaments involved with Perfect Game, an organization that aids in baseball recruiting.
"(Virginia) was always kind of on the radar for us as a family," said Siani's father Ralph. "This was kind of pretty early for us. We didn't foresee colleges being that interested because he's only a freshman, but at the same time he did really well. . ."
Siani hit several marks in arm and bat speed that his father believed impressed scouts early. The school's academic reputation and east coast locale also appealed to the Siani family.
"When Virginia is interested in you," Ralph said, "you kind of take notice. In our opinion, it's hard to say there's a better academic/athletic program for baseball out there. So we were like, 'Oh, my gosh, should we be thinking about this so early?' But at the same time, can you name a better situation?"
-Aaron Carter
