Nick Bitsko
Tampa Bay Rays
Pitcher
Born: (2002-06-16) June 16, 2002 (age 21)
Doylestown, Pennsylvania
Bats: Right
Throws: Right

Nicholas Geiger Bitsko (born June 16, 2002) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Tampa Bay Rays organization. He was selected 24th overall by the Rays in the 2020 Major League Baseball draft.

Amateur career

Bitsko attended Central Bucks High School East in Buckingham, Pennsylvania.[1] He committed to play college baseball at the University of Virginia in November 2016.[2]

Bitsko gained notoriety due to the circumstances of his draft stock rising; due to the coronavirus pandemic, few Major League Baseball scouts had seen him pitch, and much of the data collected was collected virtually.[3] He was a top-rated prospect for the 2021 Major League Baseball draft according to Baseball America, but graduated from high school early and reclassified to the class of 2020.[4] In 2020, he was named Pennsylvania's Gatorade Player of the Year.[5]

Professional career

Bitsko was selected 24th overall by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2020 Major League Baseball draft.[6] He signed with the Rays for a $3 million bonus.[7]

In December 2020, Bitsko underwent right shoulder surgery.[8] He did not make an appearance in 2021 while recovering.[9]

References

  1. ^ "Get to know Rays top pick Nick Bitsko through the eyes of his high school coach".
  2. ^ Brookover, Bob. "C.B. East pitcher Nick Bitsko still likely to be drafted in first round despite loss of accelerated senior season | Bob Brookover". inquirer.com.
  3. ^ "Meet the 2020 MLB draft's man of mystery: A 17-year-old pitcher with enormous upside". ESPN.com. June 1, 2020.
  4. ^ Collazo, Carlos. "Nick Bitsko, Formerly Top 2021 Prospect, Now Eligible For 2020 MLB Draft". baseballamerica.com.
  5. ^ "MLB Draft pitching prospect Nick Bitsko named Gatorade Pa. Player of the Year". 23 May 2020.
  6. ^ "C.B. East pitcher Nick Bitsko, a Tampa Bay Rays first-round draft pick, moved up a year and it paid off".
  7. ^ "Rays sign top pick Nick Bitsko for $3 million".
  8. ^ "Rays prospect Bitsko has shoulder surgery". MLB.com.
  9. ^ "Each team's youngest top pitching prospect". MLB.com.

External links


2020 Major League Baseball draft first round selections
Tampa Bay Rays first-round draft picks
Categories