Photos courtesy of VT Athletics
Marty Gordon
Two years ago, former Christiansburg High School pitcher Brady Kirtner was drafted by the New York Mets. He decided to return for his sophomore year at Virginia Tech, and this past week, he sat and waited to hear his name in the current Major League Baseball draft. He would have to wait a little bit longer, but he received a phone call afterwards from the New York Yankees they were interested in him as a free agent.
Kirtner (6-0, 180) signed the six-year deal earlier in the week and is now at the Yankees training facility in Tampa, Florida.
“I’m feeling excited,” he said in a phone interview.
This past season, Kirtner made 23 appearances as a Hokie, posting a 1-1 mark with a 4.62 earned run average and striking out 36 batters across 25.1 innings.
Kirtner earned three varsity letters playing for Coach Dale Nelson at Christiansburg. As a junior in 2019, posted an 8-1 record with a 1.56 ERA and 91 strikeouts in 58 innings and added a 1.08 WHIP and opponents batted just .152 against him. He attended the WWBA Perfect Game showcase in Jupiter, Florida in fall 2019.
Of course, this week has been a transitional one for a player who didn’t grow up as a Yankees fan.
“I want to become the best player possible, and we will see where it goes,” he said.
