Rolando Gautier
Left Handed Pitcher/Outfielder
6′2″, 185 lbs
Pennsauken High School
Pennsauken, New Jersey
Rolando Gautier is a left handed pitcher/outfielder from Pennsauken, New Jersey. Gautier has four pitches: 4-seam fastball, 2-seam fastball, change-up, and curveball. Rolando has nice velocity on both his fastballs, reaching 90 miles per hour with his four-seam and mid-80’s with his two-seam. His two-seam fastball has excellent movement. When his fastball is working, Gautier’s change-up is one of his most effective pitches due in part to his excellent mechanics. His weakest pitch is his curveball, which he will have to improve if he wants to throw it at the college level.
In addition to being a force on the mound, Gautier is also a good position player. As might be expected from a lefty that throws 90, he has great arm strength from the outfield. He also possesses above average speed. At the plate, Gautier hit .500 last season and can go opposite field when necessary. Last season he was named to the South Jersey second team.
Pennsauken Head Coach Pete Nardello on Rolando Gautier:
What does Rolando need to work on most?
“He needs to most work on his mental game. He needs to improve as a team player and leader. He needs to work on controlling emotions during game, especially while on the mound and an error is committed.”
What his biggest strengths?
“Rolando’s greatest strength is his physical ability to play the game of baseball. He can hit for average and power. His fastball is dominant among high school players and his mechanics are great.”
Describe Rolando’s work ethic
“Rolando works very hard to improve himself. He does his best working out on his own. However, this year, he has been a great leader during pre-season conditioning workouts.”
Do you think he can contribute immediately as a freshman?
“Yes. He has incredible arm strength from the outfield, possesses above average speed, batted .500 last year as a junior in one of the toughest conferences in South Jersey and continues to improve as a hitter for both average and power, and pitches left-handed with a fastball near 90 mph. He is an outstanding baseball player”
Do you think he will spend more time as a pitcher or position player?
“Unless he can add more velocity to his fastball and develop his curveball/slider, he will undoubtedly be more effective as an outfielder. He is a tremendous outfielder and his bat is too valuable to neglect.”
Notes from Official Austin Peay State University Athletics Release
Career Notes: Under head coach Pete Nardello, was a left-handed pitcher and played outfield… at the plate, batted .500 with 11 doubles and three home runs… on the mound was 2-0 with a 1.29 ERA… second team All-South Jersey selection… first-team all-conference… selected to play on 2009 East Coast Professional Showcase… was one of three incoming APSU players (Chris Gili and P.J. Torres the others) who played with the South Florida Bandits.
Coach McClure’s Comments: “Rolando has very good control and great mound presence, things we look for in high school pitchers. He also has a great upside because of the looseness of his arm and his body type. I believe he has the chance to play a major role on both our pitching staff and as a position player as a true freshman. He is a very mature young man who I believe can handle both the physical and mental adjustments necessary to be successful immediately at the Division I level, and I have no doubt that the tools are in place to do so.”
Discussion can be found here.
