Anthony Seigler Switches It Up At PG National

FORT MYERS, Fla.—Anthony Seigler will do whatever it takes to win.

It sounds cliché, but it really is the case. As far as prospect status, the Cartersville (Ga.) High rising senior’s best pro prospects are probably behind the plate; he’s a switch-hitting catcher with a gap-to-gap approach and impressive defensive tools. Seigler sets a low target, has fluid hips and a strong, accurate arm behind the plate.

But he’s also a righthanded pitcher. And a lefthanded pitcher, too.

On Sunday at the Perfect Game National Showcase, Seigler put on a show on the mound. He came into the game throwing lefthanded. He showed a short arm action, a heavy fastball at 85-88 mph, a deep 1-to-7 curveball and tumbling changeup.

Then, when New Hampshire prep prospect Bryce Reagan, a switch-hitter, stepped up to the plate to bat righthanded, Seigler switched to the right side. Reagan called time before the first pitch and then switched over to the left side.

Seigler could have switched back to the left side, where he says he’s most effective, but he chose not to, instead retiring Reagan with an 88-90 mph fastball.

“I’ve always grown up being a switch pitcher and just throwing with both arms,” Seigler said. “As soon as I could walk, my dad really helped me out and all the thanks goes to him.”

Pitching with both arms already gives Seigler an advantage, and he says he also has a deep arsenal of pitches from both sides. Sometimes he changes his arm slot to add even more deception.

“I’m going to do what I feel like I need to do to get the batter out and help my team win,” Seigler said. “As a hitter it’s hard to know where the ball is coming from when it’s coming from different arm slots. That’s hard to pick up as a hitter, so I use that to my advantage when I pitch.”

Seigler is committed to Auburn, where he could have an immediate impact as a two-way player and switch-pitcher.

Doing both certainly isn’t easy. Seigler admitted that it does tire him out, but he wasn’t about to complain about that.

“I mean yeah I do (feel exhausted) but I’m playing the game I love so I mean exhaustion is just going to be there,” he said.

After playing three games in three days, catching power arms and participating in workouts under the Florida sun, Seigler’s exhaustion still didn’t override his passion for the game.

“Sure I’m tired, but if I had to play another game, I’d love to go play another game.”