Lehigh University, located in eastern Pennsylvania, has quickly earned a “sneaky” reputation in the MLB draft scene. Despite a small undergraduate population of under 6,000 and rigorous academic standards, six Mountain Hawks have been drafted since 2021, with alumni Levi Stoudt and Mason Black making it to the majors. After attending Coach Sean Leary’s Scout Day, it’s clear that draft followers can expect a steady pipeline of pro-level talent.

The team's strength begins on the mound. Lehigh has seen a pitcher selected in the draft every year since 2021 (except for 2023), with Alex Bouchard being the most recent, going to the Red Sox in the 14th round this July.  In addition to Stoudt and Black, Matt Svanson (2021; 13th round) has emerged as a potential bullpen asset in the Cardinals organization and will compete in the Arizona Fall League this summer. Looking ahead, JR RHP Cole Leaman seems poised to be the next Mountain Hawk to join the pro ranks, but several other arms stood out during Scout Day, promising a bright future for Lehigh's pitching staff. All six pitchers who threw that day eclipsed 90 MPH, each bringing a unique look to the mound.

Pitchers Lead the Way

David Andolina

The first pitcher to take the mound was JR RHP David Andolina, who struggled last season with a 7.71 ERA across 16.1 IP but seems to have turned a corner. Andolina sat 92-93 MPH on Scout Day with his fastball with good carry and tail, and he hit 95 MPH this summer—a significant uptick from last year’s 88-90 MPH range. He also showcased a slurvy breaking ball in the mid-70s and a mid-80s cutter. Andolina's ability to effectively mix three pitches positions him as a potential weekend starter.

Brandon Coughlin

JR Brandon Coughlin, a smaller 5’9 righty, delivered another intriguing performance. Coughlin was up to 92 MPH last year and sat in the 90-91 range during my look. He gets good extension in his delivery considering his stature, allowing his fastball to play up, while his mid-70s slider featured heavy sweeping action. Coughlin’s funky mechanics and two-pitch mix make him a strong candidate for a late-inning role in 2025. Standing in stark contrast to Coughlin is SR Jack Hamilton, a towering 6’11 pitcher who was once a high school basketball star. Hamilton has been hampered by injuries, limiting him to 46.2 IP over three years, but Coach Leary expressed excitement about his potential. As you’d expect, Hamilton makes for an uncomfortable at-bat. He has a longer arm swing and a near 6.50 release height from a tough angle. He gets over 6.6 feet of extension with a steep plane on his heavy fastball. Hamilton was mostly 88-91 MPH in this look but did pop 93 MPH. He also showed a slider at 78 MPH and a cutter at 84 MPH. His future role will depend on his continued growth and his ability to remain healthy. Hamilton is a little rough around the edges but the outlier traits make him a must-follow for the 2025 season.