Esposito headed to Arizona State

Cimarron-Memorial's Mike Esposito, the area's top returning pitcher, has verbally committed to a full scholarship from Arizona State University.

Esposito, a 6-1 right-hander, went 8-2 with a 2.01 ERA and 89 strikeouts in 68 innings as a junior last spring. He also batted .400 with 20 RBIs, doubling as an outfield for the Spartans.

"He's real excited about going to play in college," Cimarron coach Calvin Valvo said.

The Sun Devils signed Green Valley pitchers Mike Nannini and Joe Orloski last year, only to lose the Gator duo to the minor leagues.

That's unlikely to happen with the 16-year-old Esposito, according to Valvo.

"He's real young and everybody has told him he needs two or three years to develop in a college program," Valvo said. "I get the feeling he's going to have to go in the first or second round (to go pro). He's set on going to ASU."

Esposito, whose fastball has been clocked in the low 90s, got to know Arizona State coach Pat Murphy during this summer's Big West Showcase Classic in Albuquerque, N.M.

Murphy coached Esposito's squad, and Valvo said that helped his ace choose Arizona State over fellow college powers Stanford, Louisiana State, Washington, Wichita State and Arizona.

During his sophomore season, Esposito posted a 6-2 record with a 1.67 ERA and 36 strikeouts in 63 innings. He batted .424 with 27 RBIs.

"His pitching improved 300 percent from his sophomore year to last year," Valvo said. "He's getting better every year. He's a hard working kid, and the sky's the limit for him."

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