LOS ANGELES ANGELS SIGN NICK HORVATH
The Québec Capitals are proud to announce the signing of left-handed pitcher Nick Horvath with the Los Angeles Angels.
The Florida native has already made his way into affiliated baseball after being drafted by the Baltimore Orioles in the 25th round of the 2018 Entry Draft. At that time, his future was looming as a hitter, but he was released by the organization in 2019 after producing offensive averages of .211/.318/.340 in 629 batting appearances.
In 2021, Nick showed up for the Frontier League's annual Tryout Camp and Draft. The manager of Équipe Québec, Patrick Scalabrini, recognized Nick's potential and selected him first overall in the independent circuit's annual draft. He had a 4.94 ERA in 51 innings and struck out 55 batters for the 2021 season.
It was in 2022 that Nick's potential was fully expressed by becoming one of the pillars of the bullpen, even setting a new team record with 45 games pitched. He posted a 1.76 ERA, while striking out 60 batters. Nick retired all three batters that he faced in the 2022 All-Star Game, two by strikeout.
"Nick is a player who fully deserves a second chance in affiliated baseball when you consider his meteoric rise in the last twelve months as a pitcher after being mostly a hitter," said manager Patrick Scalabrini. "We wish him the best of luck."
The Capitals finished 2022 with the best pitching staff in the Frontier League and there is no doubt that other gunners will be able to take their place in the critical moments that will arise during the playoffs.
