External links
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| Nick Bitsko | |
|---|---|
| Free agent | |
| Pitcher | |
| Born:June 16, 2002 Doylestown, Pennsylvania, U.S. | |
Bats: Right Throws: Right |
Nicholas Geiger Bitsko (born June 16,2002) is an American professional baseball player who is a free agent. He was selected 24th overall by the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2020 Major League Baseball draft.
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]
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] 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] Bitsko made six appearances (three starts) for the FCL Rays in 2025, struggling to a 12.60 ERA with four strikeouts over five innings pitched. He was released by the Rays organization on July 25, 2025. [15] [16]
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