Congratulations are in order for Kyle Virbitsky, who just attended the 2021 New Balance Baseball Future Stars Series powered by Program 15 Pre-Draft College Combine and earned a selection in the 17th round of the 2021 MLB Draft by the Oakland Athletics.
Virbitsky spun three innings at the event and performed well, not allowing anything more than a single to the 11 batters he faced.
“Virbitsky threw better strikes than I thought,” said Jeremy Booth, CEO and president of the Future Stars Series. “He threw better strikes from reviewing it. For a big guy with levers like that, to be able to control his body and channel the strike zone, it was pretty good. I think he’s going to have a big arm, but he’s a reliever. He’ll go out and start in A ball, but he’s a reliever. Those type of guys who have that physicality have a way to get themselves to the big leagues as long as they throw enough strikes. He’s going to be that, and be able to reach back for an inning or two and air it out. Those guys get to the big leagues.”
Since 2003, he has covered multiple World Series and has worked high-profile events ranging from the MLB All-Star Game to the World Baseball Classic. In addition to his role working for the Future Stars Series that he's held since 2017, Ashmore currently serves as the beat writer of the Double-A New York Yankees affiliate, the Somerset Patriots, as well as national hockey writer and New York Jets game day beat reporter for The Trentonian.
A regular contributor to Baseball America, Ashmore has worked seven Super Bowls, 11 Stanley Cup Finals, the 4 Nations Face-Off, the NBA Playoffs, College Football Playoff National Championship Game, Frozen Four, Daytona 500, major UFC events and much more as he approaches 3,200 games covered in his career.
An avid card collector and sim racer, he lives with his wife, Sarah, their son William, and their beloved dog, Bailey, and cat, Smokey.
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