Jonny Farmelo to bring ‘controlled aggression’ to UVA or MLB
CHANTILLY, Va. (BVM) – With the state of Virginia being home to a number of high school MLB draft picks over the years, it is seen as a sort of hotbed for prospects. This year is no different and one of those prospects is looking to ensure an early selection in July’s draft.
Jonny Farmelo, a senior outfielder from Westfield High School, is looking to become one of the next Virginian high schoolers to be chosen by the MLB. The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Farmelo is one of the top players in the Commonwealth and is ranked as a top-100 prospect for this year’s draft, ranking at No. 52 by MLB.com.
“I try to stay away from it as much as I can because nothing has happened yet, but whenever I hear about it or someone mentions it motivates me,” Farmelo said. “I’m definitely really humbled and blessed to have a lot of resources around me. I have a lot of great coaches, a great training facility, a great high school coaching staff. It was really motivating because you see stuff and you want to prove everyone right and exceed those expectations.”
This might be my favorite swing of the week so far.
Farmelo is firmly among the Top 5 OF in the class, in my opinion. https://t.co/2ZhAMTK4qV pic.twitter.com/2LI1p57iyn
— Ian Smith (@FlaSmitty) October 8, 2022
Unfortunately, Farmelo’s last season with the Westfield Bulldogs didn’t go as planned. The star outfielder was only able to play in a few games later in the year due to an injury. This gave Farmelo even more motivation to go out and prove himself during his senior year.
“We won a big playoff game but then we lost in the first round of regionals, so I think it was good to win a big playoff game but we didn’t go as far as we wanted to so definitely a lot of fuel to the fire for this year for sure,” Farmelo said. “This offseason, there was not a lack of motivation at all. If I didn’t want to work out or I didn’t want to do this or that, it was kind of like I have a pretty cool opportunity in front of me so I’ve got to do what I need to do.”
While missing his junior season was one motivating factor, Farmelo was also given another chip on his shoulder during his summer baseball season. The rising prospect was invited to the Team USA U-18 National Team training camp as one of just 40 players in the country competing for a spot on the U.S. Baseball World Cup team. However, he was passed over which has given him a little added energy for his senior campaign.
“It was pretty crazy, I was definitely blessed to get that invite and it was a solid week,” Farmelo said. “I didn’t make the team and that’s something that fires me up whenever I hear about it. I will definitely kind of have a chip on my shoulder because of that.”
Let’s work🙏 @USABaseball pic.twitter.com/tEhkqV4PvK
— Jonny Farmelo (@JonnyFarmelo) July 12, 2022
Despite not making the national team roster, Farmelo has continued to impress MLB scouts.
“Jonny Farmelo is a physical athlete with a lot of tools to like,” MLB.com said about the outfielder. “There’s plenty of bat speed and he’s quick to the ball with more power to come as the 6-foot-2 left-handed hitter matures. A right-handed thrower, Farmelo has played shortstop for his high school in the past, but spent all summer in the outfield and that could be a very good fit for him long-term.”
Though the MLB may come calling in July, Farmelo has options with his future. The outfielder committed to the University of Virginia in July of 2020 and the team is continually among the best in the nation.
“I like the coaching staff a lot there, Coach [Brian] O’Conner is a class act and a great leader and I wanted to play for him and Coach [Kevin] McMullan just develops a lot of first-round bats out of UVA,” Farmelo said. “They also win, which was huge for me. I want to go and win and play with the best.”
Regardless of where he ends up playing, Farmelo wants to bring his own play style and personality with him to his team. He will look to add his special brand of baseball to any team.
“I like to say I kind of play with my hair on fire, but it’s more of controlled aggression,” Farmelo said. “I feel like I can really do it all on the diamond. I can hit the ball pretty much everywhere, I run fast, I can steal bases, I can track the ball in center, I can pop in the infield if I really need to. I can do a little bit of everything. I’m a competitor, I just want to win, I can care less about where I’m hitting in the order or where I’m playing. I just want to win and compete.”
More impressive work from Farmelo who catches this one deep and drives it the other way for single.
Hustles up to third on a miscue.
Elite athleticism. Goes 💯 at all times. @UVABaseball recruit
👍👍#PBRCup || #MLBDraft@PBRVirginiaDC https://t.co/K0o7UEIy8C pic.twitter.com/U0VejBmq3K— Shooter Hunt (@ShooterHunt) September 17, 2022
It is this competitive nature that has leaked into Farmelo’s confidence. With his senior season just beginning, Farmelo wants to prove that he’s not only one of the best players Virginia has to offer but one of the best players in the MLB draft pool period, something that he already firmly believes.
“I think I’m one of the best players in the draft and I need to show that in the spring and I think I will,” Farmelo said. “I’m content with whatever happens. I’m just going to go out there and do my thing. I have a really good option with UVA too so whatever happens happens.”
