Before West Virginia pitching coach Drew Benes talked about Mike Wallace's arm, he brought up the righty's mouth. Wallace, a 6-foot-5 starter for Pittsburgh's Class-A affiliate, has quite a reputation as a clubhouse jokester.

But at the same time, that humor has helped Wallace become a leader with the Power as well.

Wallace, a Madison and Fairfield University  grad, added a slider to his repertoire, first on the side and now in his past few starts. Throwing the slider early in the count has helped Wallace keep hitters off his sinker. A two-seam fastball is his No. 1 pitch, with a changeup a close second, plus a curve – but Benes thought Wallace needed "a harder, tighter breaking ball" to succeed at a higher level.

The next step in his third pro season is consistency, keeping hitters off balance and improving his 3.54 ERA. Batters have a .252 average against Wallace, who has walked 18 and struck out 68 over 81.1 innings.

"I love watching him pitch," Benes said. "But I love spending time with him, because he'll keep you on your toes. He's got witty little comments he'll throw in there. You never really know what you're going to get. It's always something pretty funny."

The Power will visit the Lakewood BlueClaws at the end of August, and Wallace already has  assured teammates the real Jersey Shore is not like the eponymous TV show. With a day off right before the three-game series, Wallace hopes to take his teammates to New York City – with a possible side trip home to Madison.

Wallace said Charleston, West Virginia, "is definitely different than Jersey," but he's been enjoying "acculturating myself to the new environment." Wallace shares a house with three teammates: catcher Arden Pabst, outfielder Clark Eagan and second baseman Kevin Mahala. As a Madison freshman, Wallace played fall ball for the North Jersey Cardinals with Kevin Mahala, who grew up in Far Hills and graduated from Seton Hall Prep, and his older brother Tom Mahala.

Wallace hopes his family will make the trip to Lakewood – and looks forward to reuniting with his younger brother, Gavin, after the season.

Gavin Wallace  was drafted by the Pirates in the 15th round, No. 448 overall, and is just a couple of hours away in Morgantown, West Virginia, with the short-season Class-A team. Though the brothers talk almost every day, especially after one or the other pitches, they haven't seen each other since Gavin started his pro career.

Both expect to be reunited in pro ball soon, just like at Madison and Fairfield. Benes referred to the brothers as "Big Wally" and "Baby Wally," drawling a chuckle from Mike Wallace. The elder Wallace was called "Wally" in high school and college, and refers to his younger brother as "Gav." Similar in stature, pitching style and personality, Mike Wallace has caused more than a few promoted Black Bears players to double take in the clubhouse.

Gavin Wallace has a 1-2 record and 2.62 ERA in 34.1 innings as a rookie.

"You've got to have tunnel vision a little bit," Mike Wallace said. "You can't think about the moves that could happen. You're a small piece in a big puzzle. … There's no reason why I can't keep moving up the ladder, and he moves up the ladder a little bit quicker. But I made it clear, next spring training in the club house, I'm Wally. They'll have to find another nickname for him."

Staff Writer Jane Havsy: 973-428-6682; jhavsy@gannettnj.com; www.dailyrecord.com/writerjane/