Nick
Drtina

Louisville commit. Dritna had a big week at the plate for the Roadrunners going 9-for-11 with a home run, three doubles, six RBIs, three runs scored and a walk. He rounded out his week with three perfect days at the plate. In their 13-3 win over Berwyn/Cicero Morton he went a perfect 3-for-3 with a home run, double, two RBIs and one run scored. He had another perfect day at the plate in their 15-0 win over Monmouth United, going 3-for-3 with two doubles, two RBIs and two runs scored, and in their 12-0 win over Holy Trinity he went 3-for-3 with two RBIs.

INF Nick Drtina (Nazareth), a Louisville commit, is a two-way prospect but most recently honored for his work on the mound this past spring, earning PBR Illinois Second-Team All-State honors. Drtina helped anchor the 3A state champion Roadrunners’ pitching staff throughout the spring season, racking up 12 wins and breaking a 25-year school record at Nazareth in the process. At the All-State event, however, it was Drtina’s left-handed bat that deserved some recognition. There is wiry, strength throughout with present bat speed, direct path and a repeatable swing with well above-average feel for the barrel. Drtina was on time and on the barrel throughout while working with a polished middle of the field approach. Drtina registered a 92 mph average exit velocity, sixth-best of the event with his furthest batted ball traveling 340’.

Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-3, 192-pounds. Evenly proportioned weight, some strength throughout, round shoulders.
Hit: LHH. Upright, narrow setup, short stride. Advanced bat speed, fast hands, direct swing, uphill path, hard, loud contact to all fields.
Power: 99 max exit velocity, averaged 92 mph. 341’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 80 mph. Loose arm, 3/4 release with some life out of the hand.
Defense: Two-hand gather out front, deliberate footwork and actions, steady actions.
Run: 7.21 runner in the 60. 

INF Nick Drtina (Nazareth), a Louisville commit, is a two-way prospect but most recently honored for his work on the mound this past spring, earning PBR Illinois Second-Team All-State honors. Drtina helped anchor the 3A state champion Roadrunners’ pitching staff throughout the spring season, racking up 12 wins and breaking a 25-year school record at Nazareth in the process. At the All-State event, however, it was Drtina’s left-handed bat that deserved some recognition. There is wiry, strength throughout with present bat speed, direct path and a repeatable swing with well above-average feel for the barrel. Drtina was on time and on the barrel throughout while working with a polished middle of the field approach. Drtina registered a 92 mph average exit velocity, sixth-best of the event with his furthest batted ball traveling 340’.

Verbally committed to Louisville.

Positional Profile: RHP/3B
Body: 6-2, 170-pounds. Lean and athletic frame with room for physical maturity.
Delivery: Tall and fall delivery with some rhythm. Works with regular effort, lands square.
Arm Action: RH. Short and loose arm action, works from a high 3/4 slot.
FB: T82, 80-81 mph. Fastball plays straight with some ride through the zone. T2146, 2075 average rpm.
CB: 71-72 mph. 12/6 shape with tight spin and gradual action. T2079, 2055 average rpm.
SL: 75-76 mph. Plays with 10/4 shape and slight action. T2112, 2062 average rpm.
CH: 75-76 mph. Maintains near fastball arm speed. Plays with arm side run. T1646, 1604 average rpm.

Hit: LHH. Balanced stance, toe tap trigger with a short stride. Smooth loading actions. Loose and uphill swing with fluid rhythm throughout. Advanced bat speed, easy effort at times and stays through the ozone; max bat speed of 69.6 MPH. Swings with controlled, intent, gap-to-gap ability.
Power: 88.75 max exit velocity, averaged 82.12 mph. 287’ max distance.
Arm: RH. INF - 75 mph. Short arm action from a low 3/4 arm slot.
Defense: Projects as a corner infielder. Glove plays in the middle of his body, easy release.
Run: 7.47 runner in the 60. 

Listed at 6-foot-2, 170 pounds, freshman Nick Drtina (Nazareth) looks the part of a legitimate two-way threat. He has a loose, wiry frame with a ton of upside, and he swings a left-handed bat to further complement this profile. There’s a ton to like with Drtina’s offensive game, as his loose, whippy levers find the barrel with regularity. On the mound, those same whippy levers produce a tight 12/6 curveball, 71-72 mph, and a fastball that touched 82 mph.

Positional Profile: RHP/1B
Body: 6-1, 163-pounds. Projectable frame; plenty of room for added physical development.
Delivery: Squared start, slow tempo side step rock to tall/coiled balance point. Drops and drives in a high front, works on line, lands square, controlled finish.
Arm Action: RH. Compact arm action, short draw, high 3/4 slot.
FB: T77, 75-76 mph. Four-seam type, straight; some slight arm-side run.
CB: 64-66 mph. Inconsistent feel; flashed short horizontal action.
CH: 70-71 mph. Straight change, at arm speed. Some fade. 

Hit: LHH. Tall setup with some lower half bend, smooth hand load, short stride.  Loose hands, bat consistently works on a short and level plane, gap-to-gap approach, upside offensive profile.
Power: 81 mph exit velocity from the tee.
Arm: RH. INF - 68 mph. Long arm action, high 3/4 slot.
Defense: Sits back on the baseball, upright posture at baseball, two-hand gather.
Run: 7.89 runner in the 60.