Local Pitcher Rated as Top MLB Draft Prospect for 2021

While there was no high school baseball season in 2020, one local pitcher is making a big name for himself on the the high school showcase circuit -- Mainland Regional pitcher Chase Petty.

Petty has been absolutely dominate on the summer circuit, even hitting 100-mph on the radar gun at the recent Area Code games. He has consistently been in the 96-97 range with his fastball while topping out at 100-mph.

MLB.com recently ranked its top draft prospects for the 2021 MLB Draft and had Petty ranked No. 1 on that list for players who performed at the Area Code Games.

1. Chase Petty, RHP, Mainland HS (Linwood, N.J.)
Petty opened the Area Code Games on Friday morning by throwing a 99-mph fastball and following it up with 100-mph heater, setting a standard no one would match. He sat around 96-97 mph with sink for three hitless innings, backed up his fastball with an upper-80s slider and showed promising depth on a couple of changeups. His command wavered a little, but he struck out six without issuing a walk.

Petty, from Somers Point, NJ, will be a senior this fall at Mainland is 6-1 and 185 pounds, has made a verbal commitment to the University of Florida.