Panezich hopes to catch on with pros

The main requirements for any catcher who wants to play professional baseball are that he is good on defense, knows how call the most effective pitches and has a strong arm to prevent runners from stealing bases. And if he can hit, especially the long ball, then his resume becomes all the more attractive.

Enter Cliff Panezich, a senior at Martin Methodist College in Pulaski, Tenn., from Austintown and Ursuline High, who appears to have all of these attributes, which is why he is looking forward so much to the professional baseball draft in June.

Not only is Panezich a good defensive catcher with a strong arm for Martin Methodist (19-12), but he already has hit a team-best 12 home runs this early season to rank No. 11 nationally in NAIA Division 1, entering today’s TranSouth Athletic Conference home game against Union (Tenn.). He also has driven in 26 runs and has a .326 batting average.

Panezich, in addition, has received an encouraging evaluation from Pittsburgh Pirates scout Dave Riddig during a tryout camp in New Castle last summer, as well as optimistic reports from Martin Methodist coach George Ogilvie and an independent scout in the Pulaski area.

“Reddig sent me an evaluation and also a copy that went to the upper level of the Pirates’ scouting system that said I could play professional baseball,” said Panezich, noting that the Bucs’ camp was invitation-only. “I have been told by my coach and also an independent scout in the area that I stand a good chance of being picked in the June draft.”

While at the Pirates’ camp, “We played some intra-squad games when I was there. My main attributes were my ability behind the plate, my throw to second base and my hitting power,” said Panezich. “The Pirates showed some interest and hopefully they will follow up with me during the spring season.”

Panezich and Swaboda help each other’s career

Panezich also credited his friend, Mike Swaboda from Poland High, who is a teammate and pitcher on the Martin Methodist team, for telling him about the Pirates’ tryout.

“[Swaboda] was invited to the showcase and I was introduced to [Reddig],” said Panezich, explaining that he and Swaboda were Metro Ice teammates last summer in the Warren AA League, and that Swaboda was playing baseball for Hiram College at the time.

Then Panezich paved the way for Swaboda to come to Martin Methodist. “He was looking to transfer from Hiram. I talked to my coach and got him to come down here,” said Panezich.

Swaboda, a junior relief pitcher, also is having a fine season with a team-high four saves in nine games and a 2.38 ERA with a 0-1 record.

Panezich was transfer from Mercyhurst branch

Although Panezich is a senior, this is only his second year at Martin Methodist after transferring from Mercyhurst College-North East in North East, Pa., where he played baseball for two years.

He hit only two homers last season, but said that playing defense “is the most important [part of his resume], how I catch it and throw it and handle the pitching staff and control the bases,” while “the hitting is a big bonus.”

He credits having his best year to offseason preparation.

“Really it just has been the offseason workouts, getting in better shape and getting a lot stronger,” he emphasized.

The son of Frank and Rose Panezich, Cliff is majoring in business but isn’t projected to graduate until the spring of 2009 “if I continue in school. My objective now is to get signed with a pro contract somewhere this year.”

If that happens, he is hoping to return to college at a later date to complete his requirements for graduation.

XJohn Kovach follows area college athletes for The Vindicator. Write to him at kovach@vindy.com.