Baseball: A sophomore pitcher ready to be an impact player

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I went to watch a baseball game Monday afternoon. I was skeptical about how good sophomore pitcher Lucas Giolito of North Hollywood Harvard-Westlake would be. He turns 15 today, and I was stunned by how smooth and effective he is for someone who hardly pitched on varsity as a freshman and has grown close to five inches in a year’s time.

Coach Matt LaCour told me that Giolito is going to be outstanding, and I agree. He has so much room for improvement, being 6-foot-5 and just learning how to use his whole body. LaCour said Giolito was clocked touching 91 mph last weekend at the Valley Invitational Baseball League All-Star Game, and I believe it.

He threw six innings against Moorpark, giving up two runs, none earned, allowing three hits, with five strikeouts and three walks. He has 29 strikeouts in 28 innings this summer.

Next spring, he’ll become a starter in the pitching rotation. He’ll get to face some very good hitters in the tough Mission League, but I have no doubt he’s going to be the next top pitcher from the San Fernando Valley.

Here’s video of Giolito pitching and talking about his summer development.

-- Eric Sondheimer