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.
| Nick Bitsko | |
|---|---|
| Tampa Bay Rays | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born: June 16, 2002 Doylestown, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right |
Amateur career
editBitsko 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
editBitsko 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] He did not play in a game in 2020 due to the cancellation of the minor league season because of the COVID-19 pandemic.[8] On December 1, 2020, Bitsko underwent right shoulder surgery to repair a labrum issue.[9] He did not make an appearance in 2021 while recovering.[10]
Bitsko spent his first professional season in 2022 with the rookie–level Florida Complex League Rays and Single–A Charleston RiverDogs. In 14 games (12 starts) split between the affiliates, he compiled a 1–2 record and 6.23 ERA with 20 strikeouts over 26 innings pitched.[11] Bitsko missed the entirety of the 2023 season as a result of Tommy John surgery.[12]
Bitsko returned to action in 2024 with the FCL Rays, struggling to a 38.57 ERA with 3 strikeouts in 2+1⁄3 innings pitched over 4 games.[13] He later suffered an injury and was placed on the season–ending injured list in July.[14]
References
edit- ^ Tolentino, Josh (June 11, 2020). "Get to know Rays top pick Nick Bitsko through the eyes of his high school coach". The New York Times. Retrieved 2024-06-27.
- ^ Brookover, Bob (23 April 2020). "C.B. East pitcher Nick Bitsko still likely to be drafted in first round despite loss of accelerated senior season | Bob Brookover". inquirer.com.
- ^ "Meet the 2020 MLB draft's man of mystery: A 17-year-old pitcher with enormous upside". ESPN.com. June 1, 2020.
- ^ Collazo, Carlos (7 January 2020). "Nick Bitsko, Formerly Top 2021 Prospect, Now Eligible For 2020 MLB Draft". baseballamerica.com.
- ^ "MLB Draft pitching prospect Nick Bitsko named Gatorade Pa. Player of the Year". 23 May 2020.
- ^ "C.B. East pitcher Nick Bitsko, a Tampa Bay Rays first-round draft pick, moved up a year and it paid off". 11 June 2020.
- ^ "Rays sign top pick Nick Bitsko for $3 million".
- ^ "2020 Minor League Baseball season cancelled". mlb.com. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
- ^ "Rays prospect Bitsko has shoulder surgery". MLB.com.
- ^ "Each team's youngest top pitching prospect". MLB.com.
- ^ "Rays top 20 prospects 2023: Keith Law ranks Tampa Bay's minor league farm system". nytimes.com. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
- ^ "Tampa Bay Rays Top 50 Prospects (2024)". prospects500.com. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
- ^ "Nick Bitsko - Stats - Pitching". fangraphs.com. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
- ^ "Nick Bitsko Stats, Age, Position, Height, Weight, Fantasy & News". milb.com. Retrieved September 17, 2024.
External links
edit- Career statistics from Baseball Reference (Minors)
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