Attack, Attack, Attack”: Future UVA Pitcher John Paone Talks Loyalty, Draft Buzz, and Kicking the Door Down to Omaha
The Cavalier Connection welcomed a very special guest this week—one who could be toeing the rubber in Charlottesville sooner rather than later. Six-foot-three right-handed pitcher John Paone, a top-150 prospect in the 2025 MLB Draft from Lawrence Academy in Massachusetts, joined the show to talk about his decision to turn down pro ball (for now) and follow Coach Chris Pollard to UVA. With a live arm, a bulldog mentality, and a sense of loyalty rare in today’s recruiting landscape, Paone’s future in the orange and blue has Wahoo fans buzzing. “It’s attack, attack, attack. That’s how I pitch. That’s how Coach Pollard coaches. That’s what made UVA the right place for me,” Paone said.
Jeff Lowe
7/25/20252 min read
From Duke to UVA: Following Loyalty Over Flash
Paone originally committed to Duke, where Coach Pollard and pitching coach Andrew See were instrumental in his early development. But when the staff made the move to Charlottesville, Paone didn’t hesitate.
“Coach Pollard gave me my first offer. He believed in me from day one,” Paone shared. “The brotherhood, the loyalty, the mentality—those are things I value. And I saw all of that in him and the staff at UVA.”
The move also brought a full-circle moment for Paone, whose grandparents are UVA alumni. “They were thrilled. My grandfather texted me right away: ‘You’re following him, right?’”
Northeast Baseball Isn’t Slept On Anymore
Despite hailing from Massachusetts—a region often overlooked in baseball recruiting—Paone is proud of his roots. “I played for the Yankees in the Area Code Games. We went undefeated both years. The Northeast is full of dogs, and people are starting to figure that out.”
A Future Ace in the Making
Paone’s repertoire includes a four-seam fastball that touches 96–97, a turbo sinker with devastating movement, a developing changeup, and a sweeper slider that he can locate anywhere in the zone.
“That slider is my go-to, especially the front-door punch-out. I love watching hitters freeze when they don’t see it coming back.”
He models his on-mound persona after Max Scherzer—fierce, intense, and full of fire.
“Ask anyone who’s seen me pitch—it’s a different person out there. I want to mow you down and send you back to the bench.”
Why He Turned Down the Draft—for Now
With interest from virtually every MLB team, the temptation to go pro was real. But Paone took the long view.
“I had a sit-down with my family and the Boris Corp team. We talked about a 50-year plan. And we realized college gives me the best shot at success after baseball.”
But it wasn’t just about the future. It was also about loyalty.
“I wanted to show UVA and Coach Pollard that I’m all in.”
Ready for Grounds—and Omaha
Despite flipping commitments, Paone says the camaraderie among Duke’s former recruits has stayed intact. “Eight of the ten in our class came to UVA. We’re still tight.”
He’s excited to get to work improving his consistency—especially on his changeup and slider—and knows what it’ll take to bring a title to Charlottesville.
“We’re gonna kick the door down to Omaha. That’s the goal. That’s the mission.”
Off the Field: Fishing, Fortnite, and…Building Computers?
When he’s not blowing away hitters, Paone’s probably out on the water.
“We’ve got a house on the Cape. I love fishing, being on the boat. That’s my happy place.”
He also picked up computer building during the pandemic and now fixes PCs for friends in his spare time.
“I call it adult Legos. There’s something really satisfying about making something from scratch.”
Superstitions? You Bet.
Like many ballplayers, Paone has his quirks.
“I don’t brush my teeth the night before or morning of a start. It’s gross, I know—but I threw a no-hitter once doing that. And I sleep with my glove. That just started randomly—but now it’s a thing.”
Final Message to Wahoo Nation?
“We’re going to kick the door down. I’m ready to compete. I’m ready to win. And I’m ready to bring a championship to Virginia.”