HS BASE: Ex-Valencia slugger making his pitch as a pro

Former Valencia standout Casey Mulligan was a top infielder and catcher in high school and was best known for his hitting, earning All-Daily News honors in 2006 as a catcher who hit .407 with six home runs while pitching a total of nine innings.

But Mulligan is really catching on as a relief pitcher in the minor leagues at Single-A Quad Cities. The 21-year-old right-hander is 1-0 with a 0.82 ERA and seven saves with 23 strikeouts and just two walks in 11 innings -- which means he is developing into one of the country's brightest young prospects as a closer.

-- Gerry Gittelson