Top young pitcher off to US
Young New Zealand Diamondblacks pitcher Kyle Glogoski is about to embark on the trip of a lifetime after being selected to a Major League Baseball World Select Team in the United States.
The team is a selection of top amateur talent from around the world and chosen from four separate continents (Asia, Australasia, Europe and South America).
They will assemble in St Petersburg, Florida next week to play eight games against top professional players from Major League Baseball (MLB) teams as well as a MLB Select team from Puerto Rico, playing in front of college and professional scouts during extended Spring Training in America.
‘‘I’m very excited to be going on a trip like this as this will only create more exposure to better coaching and scouts from both college and MLB,’’ said Glogoski.
‘‘Trips like these are primarily designed to get recognition from scouts and due to my previous experience at MLB academies and rep teams, I know that anything is possible.’’
Glogoski knows exactly what a solid performance on this tour could mean for his future. ’’Many of my close friends have been scouted by MLB teams and are now living their dream over in the States.’’
Glogoski has already played for his country at the World Baseball Classic Qualifier in Sydney in February 2016, cementing his spot as the youngest player on the roster at 17.
He will line up for the Howick Pakuranga Hawks at this week’s men’s open national tournament on a team considered title favourites.
Glogoski will be using the tournament to prep for Florida as he tries to help his team-mates reclaim the national title they lost last year to Counties Baseball Club.
Glogoski will be joined by three of his Diamondblacks team-mates and one extra international on the Hawks roster, with fellow pitchers Andrew Marck, Blair Johnstone and John Lee in the lineup, while South African Keegan Swanepoel is also playing.
The Baseball New Zealand men’s national tournament starts today at Lloyd Elsmore Park in Pakuranga.