Sports

Going Pro: St. Louis Cardinals Draft Seneca Valley Grad

Kyle Helisek is chosen in the 30th round.

One of Cranberry’s own is heading to the major leagues.

The St. Louis Cardinals on Wednesday selected left-hand pitcher Kyle Helisek, 22, in the 30th round. The Seneca Valley graduate is the first Villanova University player ever to be drafted by the Cardinals and the team's 63rd draft pick all-time.

Helisek was one of the most durable pitchers in school history. In his four years pitching for the Wildcats, he was a fixture in the starting rotation each year, according to a press release from Villanova. Helisek, who graduated in May, concluded his collegiate career ranked sixth in school history in innings pitched.

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"This is an exciting day for Kyle and for the Wildcats program," Villanova head coach Joe Godri said. "Kyle was an integral player for us and I am thrilled that he will have the chance to begin his professional career with the Cardinals. Kyle pitched a number of big games for us and he is ready for this opportunity."

In the last four years Helisek has pitched in 55 games for the Wildcats, making 45 starts and logging 270 1/3 innings pitched. His career totals included two complete games, 11 wins, one save and 148 strikeouts.

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As a senior, he started 12 of his 15 appearances and had three wins while striking out 40 batters in 66.0 innings.

Helisek finished his last season on a strong note, holding opponents to a .220 batting average against him over his final four starts. In those four starts Helisek pitched 22 2/3 innings and allowed 18 hits with 15 strikeouts.

He began the stretch by throwing 5 2/3 innings of three-hit ball with just one earned run allowed at USF on April 27 and pitched Villanova to a 3-2 win in the opener of a three-game series.

Professional teams that evaluated Helisek during his career, especially this season, saw a polished left-handed pitcher with good velocity and above average secondary pitches, according to Villanova. Helisek also fields his position extremely well and had 14 career pickoffs.

"Kyle has the pitches he needs to succeed at the next level," Godri said. "He is durable, consistent and for a left-handed pitcher like him, the sky is the limit. I am very confident that if Kyle continues to build on his potential he will be around in the pro ranks for a long time."

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