In an entirely unconventional year, Sicklerville, New Jersey lefty Anthony Solometo certainly fits the bill. In fact, some would argue it’s his unconventional nature that’s helping him soar up draft boards for the 2021 MLB Draft.
His extended three-quarter delivery is out of the ordinary. The high leg kick and shoulder tilt he employs with each pitch contrasts that of traditional arm actions. But over time, Solometo has used his distinct mechanics to his advantage. In fact, those mechanics are seemingly helping to separate him from the field.
Solometo and his unorthodox operation are no stranger to the spotlight. At 13 years old he competed in a 17-U league at Zoom Baseball Academy in Northeast Philadelphia. Head Baseball Coach Mike Zolk noticed something special from Solometo almost immediately.
“He was funky, that was immediately my first impression,” Zolk said. “That arm of his was loose and wiry. But it didn’t take long to see why he was so special, even at that age. Next thing I know, he’s throwing no-hitters and getting all types of recognition.”
Indeed, from that day on, Solometo has had a tendency to stand out amongst his class. It’s a prominent reason why he is recognized as a top-tier prep prospect out of Bishop Eustace High School for the 2021 MLB Draft.
Through hard work, Solometo has embraced his uniqueness on the mound. Instead of seeing it as a crutch, Solometo has built upon it and turned himself into an incredibly uncomfortable at-bat.
“It’s something I enjoy about myself, I don’t care if it looks different,” he said. “I believe it sets me apart from some of the pitchers in this draft class. It’s an element to my game I’ve been able to develop.”
Believe it or not, the 6-foot-3 lefty used to work on a more conventional approach on the mound. At one point, he had a standard, more over-the-top release. That approach drastically changed as he continued to grow and his body developed into what it is today.
Somewhat out of comfort and comfortability, Solomoto shortened his delivery, keeping the loose arm action along the way. His mechanics and arm action have become smooth and repeatable, albeit atypical from a scouting perspective.
“Being a tall and skinny kid, I learned at a young age to change some things and that was one of them,” he said. “I used to throw more generically… but I learned to drop my elbow a bit more to have each pitch sail up.”
Solometo’s unorthodox delivery produces quality stuff. His two and four-seam fastballs sit in the mid-90s, touching as 97 with immense run. His upper-70s slider has great depth and horizontal break to force whiffs, and he’s developing a changeup as another off-speed pitch.
There’s serious potential for two 60-grade offerings here.
“Playing off my two fastballs gives me that timing to play everything off it,” he said. “Involving that slider and changeup into everything goes well. I just need to keep improving and get better every single day.”
Solometo has taken a different path from other high school prospects. He competed in older travel ball leagues and impressed local scouts and colleges throughout the country. By the time he entered his freshman year at Gloucester Catholic High School, he was already committed to the University of North Carolina. There’s lofty expectations abound.
“The kid committed to Carolina before his first freshman report card came out,” Zolk said. “If that doesn’t tell you he’s special I don’t know what else does. Having that pedigree coming into high school isn’t easy, and he’s only gotten better.”
Solometo continued to improve over two seasons at Gloucester Catholic, posting a 9-2 career record and winning its 19th state championship his freshman year. He totaled 64 strikeouts in 44 innings last season and tossed a three-hit shutout in the South Jersey Non-Public B final against Trenton Catholic.
The promising lefty could’ve stayed at the prominent baseball program, but Solometo took a different route this past year and transferred to Bishop Eustace Prep. It offered a new set of challenges, both academically and athletically.
“I just want to learn more and become a better student,” he said. “There’s important things outside of baseball, and school is one of them. I take a lot of pride in those two things, and that’s why I’m here.”
If a high school baseball season in New Jersey occurs, Solometo has the upcoming spring to continue his meteoric rise up draft boards. His increased velocity is in part due to an emphasis to add more muscle and strength.
Solometo sticks to a strict diet and weight-training regimen, and the results are undeniable. He now checks in at 210 pounds, up 25 pounds from just two years ago.
“It was a lot of sacrifice for me personally,” he said. “I’ve been eating the same meals and calories for the past few years now to try and gain that weight. Somehow, I’ve been able to reach my weight goal and it’s been the biggest factor going out there.”
Discipline and integrity are words Solometo lives by. His character away from the game has helped his improvement as a pitcher. He doesn’t stray away from the process, he embraces each challenge and strictly follows his own routine.
The 2021 draft class is filled with uncertainty, but Solometo can be an early round selection and one of the first prep prospects off the board. Regardless of what his bright future holds on the hill, Solometo will continue to push his physical and mental limits.
“I would be doing myself a disservice if I didn’t work as hard as I can,” Solometo said. “Committing early gave me that drive to get better. Because if I don't get better, my scholarship will be taken away.”
Solometo is ‘different’ in than a lot of other arms, but it’s those differences that make him stand out the most, and it’s paved the way towards a bright future.
“I really believe in him, and I know I’m not the only one,” Zolk said. “He understands what it takes to get to the next level, and he’s surrounded by people who set him to a higher standard. It makes it easy to root for him.”