Sports

Levittown Native Off to Fast Start With San Diego Padres

The pitcher has impressed scouts early on and has compiled an impressive ERA.

Levittown resident and Island Trees High School graduate Bryan Verbitsky as been a professional baseball player for a little over a month, but he is already making his mark.

Verbitsky, who turned 21 in June, was drafted in the third round by the Padres in June and was sent to Arizona for their “Short Season” Class A team shortly after. He currently pitches for the Eugene Emeralds. 

In 21 innings pitched so far this season, Verbitsky has compiled a 2.14 ERA, the second lowest on the team. He has 22 strikeouts and has allowed just 14 hits, but has also walked 16 batters. 

Verbitsky's fastball has reached as high as 97 MPH and sits in the low to mid 90s, according to a scouting report at MLB.com. He mixes his fastball with a changeup and slider, and aggressively challenges hitters, the report said. 

At Island Trees, Verbitsky was a two-time Diamond Award winner as the top position player in Nassau County. He was named All-State as a junior and senior, helping the team win the county championship in 2007 and reaching the county finals in 2009.  

Follow Verbitsky on Twitter @yaboybits


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