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By Bill Beckner Jr.

Published: Friday, May 18, 2012, 1:10 a.m.
Updated: Friday, May 18, 2012

Free-swinging shortstop Zarley Zalewski had a triple-crown type season for Valley. Now, the senior slugger hopes major league scouts took notice.

Zalewski could be a sleeper pick for next month's First-Year Player Draft set for June 4-6. He has had several follow-up conversations with the Pirates and Royals.

Zalewski has committed to Kent State but could pass on his scholarship to sign with a pro team. In many cases, teams agree to pay for a player's education if things don't work out on the farm system.

The Brewers and A's asked for his high school team's schedule and also watched him up close, even though Valley faded after a hot start and missed the WPIAL playoffs.

Zalewski's final regular-season numbers rival some of the best in A-K history. He hit .574 with a WPIAL-best eight home runs and 36 RBI. He also had seven doubles, two triples and 25 runs. His slugging percentage: 1.222.

Scouts are sure to like Zalewski's power from both sides, not to mention his deceptive speed.

“To know that someone felt I was good enough to play Major League Baseball,” said Zalewski (6-foot-3, 190 pounds). “It has always been my dream to play (professionally).”

The Rockies and Marlins also have inquired.

It would be interesting to see Zalewski get drafted by the Pirates, especially with Valley grad Toney Clemons getting picked by the Steelers. That would give Valley two pro draft picks, who's be taken by their hometown teams, in less than two months' time.

Weremeychik to SVC

Valley senior Thomas Weremeychik made a verbal commitment to continue his basketball career at Saint Vincent College in Latrobe.

A 6-3 combo guard, Weremeychik averaged a team-best 14 points per game last season. He also considered Seton Hill, Indiana (Pa.) and Alderson-Broaddus.

Honors on ice

Lower Burrell's Robert Tritschler, a Greensburg Central Catholic grad, was named to the Top Prospects team at the North American Prospects Hockey League Top Prospects Tournament earlier this month in Frisco, Texas.

A forward who has signed a tender with the Jamestown Ironmen of the NAHL's Junior A league, Tritschler plays for the Pittsburgh Viper Stars' U-18AAA team. He scored 78 points, including 41 goals, in 78 games during the 2011-12 season.

In addition Tritschler was named to the All-NAPHL 18-U second team and to the all-academic team.

Kittanning senior forward Heinz Koster made the 18-U first team and the all-academic team. Koster had 99 points in 72 games for the Viper Stars and has signed with the Junior A Aberdeen Wings of the NAHL.

Bill Beckner Jr. is a staff writer for Trib Total Media. He can be reached at 724-224-2696 or bbeckner@tribweb.com.

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