Ben Legath Trib Atricle

[P.I.T.T.]

Westmont righty highly rated

Westmont Hilltop’s Ben Legath has received solid scores in the Perfect Game USA’s Player Rating System.
Legath, a right-handed pitcher who also plays first and third base, also plays for Delweld in the local AAABA League and Tri State Arsenal in the fall. He received a rating of 9 (potential top 10 pro draft pick/Division I college prospect) during the Mid-Atlantic Indoor Showcase earlier in the year, setting the foundation for his spring and summer seasons. The 6-foot-1, 185-pounder also was a Perfect Game USA Preseason Underclassman All-American. Legath, who will be a junior at Westmont, had a 4.99 40-yard dash, threw consistently between 80 and 84 miles an hour, with a top fastball of 87 miles an hour. His top infield velocity was 80 miles an hour.

I've seen this kid play and did not see this much talent although he is still young. Any opinions?

[Crimson09Crazy]

Legath is the real deal. Saw him play as a Freshmen and as a soph at Westy and came away pretty impressed. He gets the velocity up, he can go big places.

And also not many 16 year olds get to play AAABA. He is the only current one i know of.

[say_oww]

The kid is a man-child. He was that size when he was a 13 year old. He obviously works hard for it. You have to wish the best of luck for him. Another man-child is Brian Laurito from NC. He also plays on about four travel teams and caught in the ICL for Kovalcik Insurance as a 15 year old.

[Crimson09Crazy]

He was the best player in the Colt league.

[P.I.T.T.]

Touche. By now means am I not wishing him the best, I hear he is a great kid on and off the field. Now the real question is, do we think that Legath can go higher than Urban did this past draft? I heard Ben is done for the year due to an elbow injury, and he may opt for Tommy John surgery which may definitely sidetrack him.

[JonD1]

Too bad he's hurt and his elbow is messed up. Will never pitch again

[P.I.T.T.]

False, his elbow was inflamed during the AAABA season, which is why he didn't play. It was originally thought to require surgery but it was later determined it was not necessary. I hear he has been going back and forth to the UPMC sports complex in the Pittsburgh to work with Dr. Bradley and receive cortisone shots on a monthly basis I would imagine. I know for a fact he recently got back from the Wake Forest, Coastal Carolina, and VA Tech junior days and the coaches from WF and CC were very impressed. From what I hear he is more focused on academics at this point when choosing a school, which is a refreshing thing to hear these days. I'll keep everyone posted

[P.I.T.T.]

How much of an impact can we expect him to make this year? Both for Westy and beyond perhaps? Is he a legitimate top tier prospect?

[bomborivera]

Tommy John surgery two weeks ago; may be ready for 2012 high school season (non-pitching); at least 9 months rehab.

[Manfred]

Cortisone shots for a high school kid's arm? All that does is reduce pain/ inflammation. It does not solve the problem of whatever caused the inflammation in the first place, such as overuse, throwing too hard, not enough rest between throwing sessions, a physical problem in the joint such as chips, bad conditioning habits, what have you. I say if you have problems that young, you'll have them all your life. Too bad for the young man.