Breaking down the 2024 Penn State baseball signing class: Pitchers

Pitchers

The Nittany Lions had a great first season under new head coach Mike Gambino, especially the pitching staff. RHP Travis Luensmann was in the top 10 for eight Big Ten pitching stat categories, including opposing batting average (.210) and strikeouts (74), per the official Big Ten website. Pitching coach Will Jauss enjoyed his first season at the helm as well, as the Penn State bullpen had a 7.41 ERA and was 15-12 in games that they decided, according to Friday Starters.

Penn State said goodbye to Chic DeGaetano, David Lee, and starters Travis Luensmann and Jaden Henline via graduation, as well as bullpen pitcher James Lordi and other pitchers who did not play significant time. This left a hole in the Nittany Lion rotation, as Luensmann was a Friday starter and Henline pitched on Saturdays. With a need for rotation arms, head coach Mike Gambino hit the transfer portal to find the next men up.

Penn State added six pitchers via the transfer portal, and three of them previously played at the Division 1 level. The Nittany Lions also added seven freshmen to the roster, with three in-state newcomers. These 13 transfers and recruits have had roles as starters, hybrids, and bullpen arms. Ryan DeSanto has had starting experience with Saint Joseph's, pitching mostly on Saturdays. Highly touted freshman Harrison Lollin is one of the best players in his recruiting class. Find out about who's new to Happy Valley below:

Transfers:

Andrews heads to Happy Valley after playing for two years at Wake Forest, striking out 12 batters and walking three while maintaining a 2.70 ERA in 10 career appearances. As a power conference addition, and considering Penn State's development skills, Andrews could be a great addition to a top-heavy Nittany Lion bullpen.

Shenosky was a reliable arm at Wake Forest last season, making 20 appearances (eight starts) and maintaining a 6.63 ERA with a 5-3 record. Shenosky could be a key rotation piece, but his chemistry with Andrews, having been former teammates at Wake Forest, could help the team much more in the bullpen.

DeSanto had a fantastic two-year run at Saint Joseph's, striking out 162 batters with a 3.84 career ERA. DeSanto is a clear rotation piece to be excited about on the roster.

After a short stint at Oregon, Olson found himself thriving at the junior college level in 2024, having a 9-0 record in 12 appearances (11 starts). Olson could serve as a hybrid pitcher, moving in and out of the rotation as well as pitching out of the bullpen in 2025.

Loosli arrives on the East Coast following a two-year JUCO stint in California, striking out 74 batters with a 1.56 WHIP in 33 career appearances. Loosli will likely need some more development before playing a pivotal role in the Nittany Lion bullpen, but the door is open for him.

Renner joins his brother Chase at Penn State after a successful freshman season at the Division II level, with three saves and 24 strikeouts in 18 appearances. Renner's brotherly chemistry and experience could land him a spot in the weekend bullpen.

First-year newcomers:

As a clarification, all ranks found in the player profiles below can be found on Perfect Game.

The #133 right-hander in the overall Class of 2024 has found a home in Happy Valley after striking out 225 batters and maintaining an 18-4 record (per MaxPreps) in his high school career. Lollin could be a Mason Horwat character, making appearances as a long reliever out of the bullpen during the weekends.

Cook was the #149 lefthander in the overall Class of 2024 and the #3 overall player in his state, according to Perfect Game. Cook could find himself pitching mostly in the midweek during his first year with the Nittany Lions.

The North Allegheny prospect was the #11 lefthander in the Pennsylvania Class of 2024, having struck out 28 batters with a 4.12 ERA in 9 appearances in his senior season, according to MaxPreps. Mau has potential, but he might not see the field much this year.

The last of many southpaws in the PSU signing class, the Wilson prospect was impeccable in high school, striking out 218 batters and maintaining a 1.67 ERA with a 16-8 record, according to MaxPreps. He played some good competition in high school, and I hope he can sneak in an appearance this season with a crowded Nittany Lion bullpen.

The Empire State product was the #54 player and the #24 RHP in the New York Class of 2024. Weatherwax comes from a good baseball state, but he'll likely have to wait his turn until next year.

Williams was the #3 player and RHP in the Maryland Class of 2024. He knows what it's like to be on a winning team, and he has some upside, so the door is open for him this year.

The Council Rock South prospect was the #43 RHP in the Pennsylvania Class of 2024 and had a solid high school career, striking out 88 batters in 20 appearances, according to MaxPreps. I'd compare Ennis to Strath Haven product Alex Pak, who enters his second season with the Nittany Lions, as both players might ride the bench this season.

Pitching analysis:

This is a very solid pitching class for the Nittany Lions going into 2025. With a few rotation pieces, hybrid pitchers, and decent bullpen arms, head coach Mike Gambino hit every nail on the head with room to spare. Depth will be the key for these guys, and it'll be a very interesting fall in Happy Valley.