Joe Santoro, Switch Pitcher - Carmel Catholic High School, Illinois

Joseph Santoro

Switch pitcher Joe Santoro
photo: Steve Lundy

Carmel Catholic HS, Class of 2016
Mundelein, Illinois

College: committed to Army

Primary Position: LHP/RHP
Secondary Position: OF (left-handed)
Height/Weight: 5-11, 175 lbs
Bats: Left
Throws: Both

Pitches: Fastball, Changeup, Curveball
Velocity: 86-88 mph (2015); 83-84 mph (2014)

Glove: ambidextrous glove that can be used with either hand

Joe Santoro is a rare talent, as he is a smooth pitcher who can pitch with either arm, similar to Ryan Perez, who pitched at Westminster Christian HS. Santoro bats left-handed, pitches and plays outfield. (source: Prep Baseball Report)

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Joe Santoro was listed on the Top Tier 15U Americans roster as playing OF/SHP (switch-handed pitcher).

Prospect Reports:

Prep Baseball Report - Joe Santoro

Dual approach suits Carmel's Santoro

Daily Herald, April 9, 2015

by Patricia Babcock McGraw

You've heard of switch hitters. Santoro is, for lack of a better term, a "switch pitcher." He is ambidextrous and can pitch from both the left and right sides with similar accuracy and velocity.

Hovering between 86 and 88 mph on both sides, the 17-year-old Santoro, a native of Mundelein who recently committed to Army, has been known to switch sides even within the same inning, from one batter to the next.
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Here's a switch: Carmel's Santoro delivers from both sides
Daily Herald, April 10, 2014
by Patricia Babcock McGraw

Most pitching staffs have some right-handers, and some left-handers.

At Carmel, one pitcher fits both descriptions.

Sophomore Joe Santoro is a righty and a lefty, and can switch back-and-forth between the two effortlessly. He is completely ambidextrous, and it's almost uncanny how he is able to replicate his form right down to the smallest detail from one side of the mound to the other.

"I've never seen anyone like Joe," Carmel coach Dann Giesey said. "He's always thrown from both sides. He grew up that way. And what's amazing is that his arm slot is identical on both sides."
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‏2.15.15
On the mound, Santoro has been noted for his unique ability to throw with both hands. He sat 86-87 mph from both sides, touching 88 from the right side. His breaking ball, which he had struggled with in the past, looked crisper, showing more of a slider look, in the 72-74 mph range right-handed, and 69-71 mph left-handed. His changeup is in the 74-76 mph range from both sides. Mechanically, Santoro looks pretty identical from both sides, though may drop-and-drive a little more from the left-side. As fun as it is to watch him throw with both hands, his ability as an outfielder should not be discounted, as he’d be a Division-I prospect regardless of whether or not he pitched.

‏@prepbaseball

IL: LHH OF/switch-pitcher '16 Joe Santoro (Carmel HS) 94 exit velo, 87 from OF; 84 from left side, 83 from right side at Underclass Invite

PBR Future Prospect Showcase Results
March 19, 2012
By Matt Yarber and Sean Duncan

3. Joe Santoro, OF/Pitcher, Sandburg Middle School, Class of 2016
Santoro is a 5-foot-8, 140-pound two-way player who impressed in all facets of the game. The switch-throwing pitcher has a high ¾ arm slot from both sides, left and right. He features a 70-74 mph fastball with run, a 62-64 mph curveball, and a 60-67 mph changeup all from both sides. Defensively, Santoro is a smooth fielding outfielder with excellent footwork and a strong, accurate arm (75 mph). At the plate, Santoro has an easy left-handed swing with a balanced setup. Read more

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Switch Pitching 101

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