Its a very cold afternoon at Kutztown University in Berks County. A hot prospect, however, still has some work to do.
Darin Gorski is throwing a bullpen session - its just him, a catcher and the head coach. This is one of the few times scouts haven't been watching him this year.
"I've been trying to mainly focus on the team thing, but of course, with scouts (watching), its been exciting," said Gorski, a junior left-hander.
Gorski graduated high school from Donegal in Lancaster County.
Last year, the top local college pitching prospect was another lefty, Matt Wright of Shippensburg University. Wright's only 5'9." But Darin stands about 6'3" and that size difference means he could be drafted even higher than Wright was. The Blue Jays nabbed Wright in the 12th round.
Gorski burst upon the scouting scene this past summer, when he was named the top professional prospect in the Atlantic Collegiate League by
Baseball America and Perfect Game. Following a sophomore season in which he went 8-4, with a 2.43 ERA and 83 strikeouts in 81 innings, he dominated hitters with wood bats in the ACBL. Gorski posted a 7-0 record, with a 1.33 ERA, 78 strikeouts and only 15 walks in 61 innings.
Darin started this season throwing in the high 80s. But with a handful of starts under his belt, his stuff is now crisper and his heater is even faster. His fastball recently touched 92 mph, according to Kutztown head coach Chris Blum.
"Right now, he's dominating and he doesn't have his (best) stuff," said Matt Kulbacki, Kutztown's catcher.
"If he keeps climbing (with his) velocity, he could be the highest draft choice to ever come out of here," added Blum, who's now in his seventh season coaching the Golden Bears program.
Of course, the baseball draft is this June. This hot prospect can't wait for the cold weather to break - and to hear his name called by a major league club.
"Its always been a dream of mine, of course," said Gorski. "In high school, it never seemed like it would become a reality. Its an exciting time to be in this position."
