On a cold spring day last month, Christ the King's Joe Mortillaro struck out five batters in two innings, displaying a free and easy arm that belied the gas he was throwing.
His performance may have been unsurprising to his teammates and his mother, Nancy Walker, who once suffered a broken nose while playing soft-toss with him, but it certainly startled an American League scout in attendance.
"It was a very pleasant surprise," the scout said of the preseason scrimmage with Francis Lewis. "He definitely has a professional arm. The funny thing is that I don't think anyone knows about him yet."
That should soon change as Mortillaro prepares for his first full season on the varsity after injuries, academics and a combustible temper combined to keep him off the field.
Mortillaro, who verbally committed to play at Manhattan College last month, expects to make his debut as the Royals' top starter on Friday, when they visit Bishop Ford HS to open their CHSAA "AA" schedule.
Even though Mortillaro is a senior, Friday will mark just his third varsity start.
"He's definitely under the radar," said Christ the King coach Billy Oettinger. "He's like one of these 2-year-old racehorses; he's had a maiden race here or there, but let's see what he does in the stakes races."
Mortillaro has learned to rely on a support group that inc
