Seton Hall Prep rising junior pitcher Tommy O’Rourke fires a pitch against Roxbury this spring.
WEST ORANGE, NJ – Tommy O’Rourke, a 6-3, 185-pound right-hander from Seton Hall Prep, has been selected to compete in The Underclass Area Code Games on August 10th through 12th at the Major League Baseball Youth Academy in Los Angeles, Calif.
The top 150 underclass baseball players from across the country in the class of 2020 and 2021 were selected.
Six regional teams will compete in a three-day tournament while being evaluated at the highest level. Scouts from all 30 Major League teams and the Major League Scouting Bureau, as well as top NCAA coaches, will be in attendance.
O’Rourke is the first player to be selected from Seton Hall Prep for this event. In 2006, Steven Brooks, Rick Porcello, and Evan Danieli were selected and in 2011, Michael Sheppard III was selected to the Area Code Games that were held in Long Beach, Calif. Upon being selected, O’Rourke said, “it feels great to be selected. This is something I have been working for since last offseason. At the tryout held at the New England Baseball Complex in Northborough, Mass. in June, I felt confident about the way I played both days. This is the first National Team I have ever made. The Seton Hall Prep baseball team helped prepare me for this experience because we go over everything and don’t skip anything. This also helps our baseball IQ and we do not miss any small details. I would like to thank Head Coach Mike Sheppard Jr. and Assistants Frank Gately, and Stephen Kress.”
Last season, O’Rourke helped Seton Hall Prep to a 25-4 record as they captured the Super Essex Conference-American Division title and reached the Non-Public “A” North State title game. He had a 4-0 record with a 1.18 ERA. In 23.6 innings pitched, he allowed 13 hits while striking out 28 and walking eight batters. He pitched two complete games and threw a five-inning no-hitter against Morris Hills. O’Rourke has verbally committed to Stanford University.
Head Coach Mike Sheppard Jr. said, “Tommy is a humble and coachable player who has exhibited the willingness to work to improve upon his skills.”
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