By Alexis Brudnicki
Lead Writer 

Nick Virdo knows exactly what he has to do and he is figuring out how to do it. 

The 16-year-old right-hander has been told by every coach who’s seen him lately that he needs to stay on line when he’s pitching, avoiding throwing across his body to the plate. It’s something he’s continuing to work on, and is finding varied success with so far.

“He’s interesting,” one National League scout said. “He has a projectable arm and body. The delivery needs a little work to get him on line but the arm works and he can spin a breaking ball. He’s got a chance to be one of the top pitching prospects in 2016.”

Virdo made his first appearance in the second-annual Tournament 12 at Rogers Centre on Wednesday, taking the mound for Ontario Green against the same Futures Navy squad that he suited up for in the inaugural event. The righty went three innings and allowed no runs on just one hit with two walks and four strikeouts, sitting 82 to 84 and hitting 85 a couple times in his outing.

“I was a bit nervous but it’s just because it’s the first time out here, and it was better than last year,” the Brampton native said. “I was pretty nervous last year, especially because it was my first time ever playing here at Rogers Centre and I was shaking a little bit, but I felt more comfortable playing this time and it was good all around.”

The young hurler feels as though he has made big strides in his game since the last time he was on the big-league hill in Toronto and is looking forward to what more he can do during the rest of his high school career. 

“I’ve progressed a lot since the last Tournament 12 and strength-wise I’ve been good,” Virdo said. “I just need to do more work on my mechanics. I’ve had all of my coaches telling me I need to work on a straight line so I’m trying to do that and work on that consistently.”

Spending more time in the gym with owner and head trainer of Tempus Performance Costa Kladianos has assisted Virdo in the gains he’s already made, and the two are already set on a plan for the upcoming off-season to do even more.

“I’ve added about three miles per hour on my fastball,” Virdo said. “I’ve been doing more core strength [exercises], a lot of running and then mostly leg work. I’ve been working with Costa and he’s helped me a lot. In the winter I’ll be with him about three times a week.”

Another change in Virdo’s game of late has been where he’s playing it. Formerly with the Brampton Royals, the 2016 draft-eligible player is now a member of the Toronto Mets and he’s been enjoying his time with his new club.

“[Mets pitching coach Chris] Kemlo has been treating me really well and I’ve been throwing a lot, so it’s been really good,” Virdo said. “They’re a good team and I enjoy playing with them. I’ve learned a lot from Chris about getting on a line. He’s taught me a lot about pitching because he’s had some of the same experiences and been in the same boat so it’s been great.”

For the foreseeable future, Virdo is looking forward to getting a school commitment in the books, in pursuit of a post-secondary degree in sports management.

“I’m working more toward a scholarship in the next while,” Virdo said. “I would like to get a scholarship to a school in the States so I’m working to keep my grades up and that’s the big thing…I’ve talked to a couple of [colleges]. Canisius, Niagara and Buffalo are the three schools I’ve talked to so far.

“It doesn’t matter where I go, I just want to go to a good school and get a good education so if I don’t end up getting a full baseball career, I still get an education out of it.”

With a full understanding of what he needs to work on in order to accomplish the goals he’s set for himself, Virdo also knows where his strengths lie and is looking to build off of them.

“My fastball command is my best, just how I spot it and stuff,” he said. “I have good movement on my slider and then my changeup I need to work on a bit. I’ve had coaches telling me different grips I can use so that’s probably my plan for the off-season, to work on that…and everyone is telling me to go in a straight line. That’s the biggest thing.”

Getting a chance to work with some of the country’s finest coaches, along with Toronto Blue Jays alumni and veteran major leaguers at Tournament 12 isn’t a bad place to continue that progression either.

“I want to work on my mechanics and get them down properly,” Virdo said. “Just being able to duel these other players is big and playing against these people who are the best in Canada, it’s just a privilege to be here.”