Area Code Notebook: Day 1

Yankees vs Nationals

If you want to make a loud statement to start the 2020 Area Code Games, the Yankees knew what to do. They put Chase Petty (2021 Somers Point, NJ) and unleashed him. Vinnie Cervino wrote extensively about Petty from East Coast Pro this week. Petty echoed his monster performance on Friday at ACG. This one may be more impressive because it was the 8 AM time slot and the righthander with a lightning quick arm fired his first two fastballs at 99 and 100 mph and never slowed down. He sat in the 96-97 range during his three innings throwing both a hard slider in the mid 80's and a changeup with some sink in the 87 mph area. He didn’t need his off speed much, but the slider flashes signs of plus and he threw the changeup to both lefties and righties on the outer black. The quickness of the shoulder can get him out of whack at times, but his athleticism allows him to quickly get back on track. He clearly has the best current stuff in the high school class.