Penn State finished a strong season on the diamond in 2025 with a final record of 33-23, leaving many reasons for optimism about continued success.
However, there were pitching struggles at times last season, and they appear to be a glaring issue for the Nittany Lions. They posted a team 5.99 ERA — the fifth worst in the Big Ten.
Coach Mike Gambino has been busy this offseason attempting to amend that issue, with three pitchers arriving via the transfer portal.
Rising sophomore Ben Hudson sticks out among the group due to his Division I resume at West Virginia last season and his glaring potential backed up by film.
Extension
At 6’2″, Hudson’s frame is his biggest advantage in generating speed and spin.By bringing his foot high and driving it forward, he opens his body and creates momentum with legs and core extension rather than stress on his arm. (via IG: benhudsonnnn & IG: jakekinsell_bpc) pic.twitter.com/hZgv3RGckw
— Myles Hannak (@mylespsu) August 12, 2025
While film isn’t as accessible for pitchers, gym work like the video above is just as helpful, as it gives a better view of technical aspects that are often overlooked on game broadcasts.
Hudson can produce elite extension and balance throughout his motions, along with the tremendous power those traits give him on his planted foot during release. This greatly benefits the 6-foot-2 right-hander, as this level of extension, paired with height, makes his pitches appear faster.
Pitchers want to use a little arm movement while turning the body with extension to create a shoving motion toward the plate, so that their arm isn’t bearing as much physical stress. This is something Hudson does fantastically and allows him to generate high spin rates on the baseball.
Penn State baseball players talk to head coach Mike Gambino during the baseball game against Minnesota at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on Sunday, April, 28, 2024 in University Park, Pa. The Golden Gophers beat the Nittany Lions 15-11.
Tyler Mantz
Pitching IQ
One of the biggest things that pitching legends and coaches express is how important it is to understand how the batter sees the ball. With this, pitchers can find ways to trick batters into giving up leverage in the at-bat or by getting out.
One of the ways that pitchers have always learned to do that is by using their misses to set up strikeout pitches, regardless of whether the miss was intentional or not.
As legendary baseball pitcher Greg Maddux once put it, “you can’t go fishing without any bait,” which is the perfect analogy for the technique Hudson demonstrates in this clip below.
Technical aspects of a pitching motion only get so far on the mound; it’s an intelligence for the game that sets a pitcher apart.During his freshman campaign, Hudson showed his intelligence by using misses to earn swinging Ks. (via YouTube: Wheels) pic.twitter.com/lsMr1Jhlxc
— Myles Hannak (@mylespsu) August 12, 2025
With two outs and a 0-2 count, Hudson has all the leverage here, and he utilizes it to pitch a low and away slider to set up an eventual strikeout.
With the miss, he made the batter wary of the outside corner. Knowing the batter is concerned with this, Hudson switches to his breaking ball.
This is likely something Hudson will do a lot at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, with his pitching arsenal of a curveball, slider, changeup and fastball relying heavily on offspeed pitches.
Hudson’s feel for the game is what propelled him to a 3.95 ERA in 27.1 innings with the Mountaineers last season as a middle relief arm.
Head coach Mike Gambino walks onto the field during the Penn State baseball game against Michigan State at Medlar Field at Lubrano Park on Sunday, March 23, 2025 in University Park, Pa. The Spartans defeated the Nittany Lions 10-5.
Lexie Linderman
Command and future potential
Pitching for velocity takes great skill on the rubber, but locating can be just as hard.Hudson has steadily added speed to his fastball with the command following. With a four-pitch arsenal, he appears comfortable with any pitch.(via IG: benhudsonnnn & IG: jakekinsell_bpc) pic.twitter.com/4VToRg6JVk
— Myles Hannak (@mylespsu) August 12, 2025
Great mechanics and mental intangibles are tools Hudson has already shown he possesses, yet a quick look at his career tapes show that it has been something he’s worked at extensively.
Hudson appeared in high school with a mid-to-high 80 miles per hour fastball, a trend that continued at West Virginia. Some increased velocity saw him top out in the 90s.
In the clip above, Hudson exhibits the same great qualities that allow him to pitch fast, and now it’s clear he has a remarkable ability to locate such pitches. It’s a true testament to Hudson’s work ethic that he has continued to improve so quickly, and he’ll be able to continue doing so in Happy Valley.
With three years left of eligibility, Hudson has the opportunity and tools to make strides in furthering his baseball career, potentially following in his father Joe Hudson’s footsteps. Hudson pitched in the MLB from 1995 to 1998.
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