Just over three years ago, Mike Vasil hit send on an email asking not to be drafted. He was a Boston-area high schooler with first-round upside, but he was determined to follow through on his commitment to the University of Virginia.
“A baseball career doesn’t last forever, and as I think about my future I realize that I want to be known as more than just a good player,” he wrote in 2018 to evaluators from all 30 MLB teams. “Attending the University of Virginia will afford me the tools for the next phase of my life. Not only will it prepare me for a potential career in the MLB, but will also provide me with other excellent career opportunities.”
There’s another thing Virginia provided Vasil with: a chance to shine in an elimination game at the College World Series.
The junior righty, who’s ranked 109th on MLB Pipeline's Draft Top 250, did just that on Thursday night with eight strikeouts in seven innings against Texas.
Vasil retired the final seven Longhorns he faced, stamping his final out by putting his imaginary sword back in its sheath (like any proper Cavalier would). Two nights after a heartbreaking, one-run loss to Mississippi State, Virginia turned to Vasil and he matched his career-high innings total to keep them competitive in a must-win game.
Ultimately, Virginia lost, 6-2. And with that, Vasil's focus can shift to the Draft.
Vasil’s overall scouting grade of 45 (on the 20-80 scale) means he likely won’t fulfill the first-round projection he once had. But with a fastball that touches mid-90s and an above-average changeup, there’s reason to believe a back-end MLB starting role remains within his ceiling.
And hey, seven stellar innings on a national stage in his swan song college outing? Can’t ask for much more than that from a guy whose heart was set on being a Virginia Cavalier.