Brick's Testa Hoping to Make it to the Major Leagues

Playing in an organization that holds stars Bryce Harper and Steven Strasburg as prospects, it is easy for Joe Testa to find himself overshadowed -- even while he puts up some significant numbers.

Testa, who was originally signed as a free agent by the Minnesota Twins in 2008 after attending Wagner College, has done just that. After being traded from the Twins organization to the Washington Nationals last July, Testa has seemed to find his groove this summer.

"Joe really had a huge senior year and really took off at college," said Jason Groschel, who was an assistant coach when Testa played at Brick Township High School. "He's always had a great work ethic, never being the biggest kid."

The work ethic might be what is paying off now for the 25-year-old, who currently pitches in the Carolina League, a high Single-A league.

Since he began playing in the Washington farm system, the southpaw has been transitioning to throw submarine-style sidearm, something incredibly rare coming from a lefty.

"When I first got here, they though it would be a good idea to try," said Testa, who had thrown in the regular over-the-top form his whole life. "So far it has been working well for me."

Testa also told Brick Patch he has been used mostly as a relief pitcher, coming out of the bullpen in the late innings.

"I've been working mostly in the seventh, eighth or ninth innings," said Testa. "Although I do still have the ability to make a spot start when needed."

Testa's stat line is nearly flawless, having worked 22 and a third innings with a 1.21 ERA, having appeared in 24 games. He's held opponents to a .143 batting average, only having been tagged with three earned runs and striking out 19, according to the Potomac Nationals website.

"He was always one of the hardest working kids," said Groschel. "A three sport athlete, but he was well rounded and polite while being driven with goals."

Groschel said when Testa was in high school he had a good fastball, but it was his curveball that was his out pitch.

As for Testa's unique style, it is tough to compare him to anyone in Major League Baseball.

"I've been looking up submariners for video, but I haven't been able to find that many that are lefty," said Testa.

Testa attributes much of his success to the coaching he has received at all levels of the game, in particular his old pitching coach at Brick, a man he described simply as Coach Weber.

With teams in the MLB always looking for quality lefty pitchers to come out of the bullpen, if Testa can keep putting up similar numbers he should be moving up the ranks quickly, perhaps getting a shot in the big leagues before too long.