The Detroit Tigers have a long history of drafting power pitchers in the first few rounds of the MLB Draft. This year there is an unexpected addition to the ranks of young pitchers with big fastballs. Nick Bitsko will be graduating a year early from Central Bucks East High School and bringing his 97 mph fastball to this years’ draft.
Bitsko was widely considered one of the top high school pitchers in the 2021 draft class. Now that he has reclassified, he is ranked on MLB Pipeline as the ninth-best draft-eligible player. He is grouped with fellow high school right-handed pitchers Jared Kelley (ranked 7th) and Mick Abel (8th) on their list, but possibly has a higher ceiling than either prospect.