3 min read Bryce Meccage

Direct Meccage: Pennington star prepares for 2023 season

Pennington's Bryce Meccage is the consensus top Class of 2024 pitcher in New Jersey and poised for a major year
Direct Meccage: Pennington star prepares for 2023 season

BY ANDREW SMOLAR / For Jersey Baseball Nation

Bryce Meccage, the high school class of 2024’s top ranked pitcher in New Jersey, continues to live in the moment despite having bigger and better things to look forward to after graduation. Committed to the University of Virginia since the summer after freshman year, Bryce remains incredibly motivated for his upcoming season at The Pennington High School.

“I came into this school to win and build this program,” Meccage said. “The passion the school brings makes me want to win it for them and for my team.”

It would be easy for someone of Meccage’s caliber to look ahead to his days at Virginia and past his current season. His accolades speak for themselves. Meccage is ranked among the best players in his class according to his Perfect Game player profile. He was part of eight All-Tournament Teams and most recently was named to the 2022 Perfect Game Preseason Underclassmen All-America 2nd Team in the Northeast Region. This nomination was something he appreciated.

“It definitely was a pat on the back,” Meccage said. “It’s a really cool accomplishment; I would’ve never even dreamed as a kid being where I am now.”

In addition to his prestigious rankings and awards, Meccage is a versatile player. He can play multiple positions including first base, the outfield, utility and pitcher. In other words, wherever his coach needs him to play, he can do it.

He also throws a wicked fastball. In July of 2022, he joined a small club of high school players with an in-game fastball speed of 90 mph or faster, clocking in at 91 mph. The average fastball speed of his class is 76 mph.

WATCH: Bryce Meccage bullpen: https://youtube.com/shorts/PKaiBO21vR4

Despite Meccage having a very impressive résumé, he continues to hold himself to a high standard and he has lofty goals for his upcoming season.

“I’m trying to hit .350-.400 for the season and also reach 96-97 mph with my pitching,” Meccage said. “I’m trying to continue to get more explosive, become a better athlete and put on about 10 pounds of body mass.”

In the long term, he has a goal to play in the majors. His uncle, Justin Meccage, the current bullpen coach of the Pittsburgh Pirates, is someone Bryce often goes to for help.

UVA plucked three gems from the Garden State in its 2024 recruiting class. In addition to Meccage (far right), the class includes star Ramsey LHP Will Kirk (left), and the state's top ranked hitter, Morris Knolls OF Luke Dickerson (center). 

“It’s definitely an awesome resource for me to have, whether it’s giving him a call on the phone or flying down two hours to go work with him for a weekend,” Meccage said. “He’s been able to help me with both my mental and physical side of the game and it’s just been an awesome tool for me to have someone help me grow as both a pitcher and a person.”

When not on the diamond, Meccage is both a great student (3.7 GPA, plans to major in business at UVA) and an active guy who values his family. He has an entrepreneurial streak – Bryce has owned an electric landscaping company since he was 11 and also got his boating license at the age of 13 while having owned two jon boats. He additionally enjoys coaching, loves to fish, and likes to lift.

Lastly, his family is very important to him, including his uncle and three siblings. Meccage never worries about the future or what will happen later, he always lives his life in the moment and strives to get better every day. His even-keeled and driven approach to everyday life is why he appears to be headed for a successful life both at Virginia and beyond.