John A. Logan Pitcher Drew Pestka signs with the Cincinnati Reds
CARTERVILLE, Ill. (KBSI) – The dream lives on for Carterville native and right-handed pitcher Drew Pestka as he signs with the Cincinnati Reds of the MLB.
Pestka spent two year with John A. Logan College accumulating 143 strikeouts in just 28 games started.
Pestka tells FOX23 News that it was “nice being close to home” during his tenure with John A Logan as their right handed pitcher and adding that “it was amazing there.”
Blessed for this opportunity and endless support I received at John A Logan. I can’t thank the coaches and players enough! #jucobandit https://t.co/fUniv73lgU
— Drew Pestka (@DrewPestka) June 1, 2024
Pestka grew a very strong connection with his coaching staff at John A Logan, he attributes his success and his grown during his time their to the coaches that pushed him to be his best each and every day. Pestka explained that Head Coach Kyle Surprenant and Assistant Coach Patrick Morey truly worked with him, and continue to help guide him along this exciting process from Drew as he chases his goal of playing in the majors.
#Uncommitted Spotlight – LHP – Karsten Stotlar – strike throwing LHP that knows how to pitch. Currently has 20.1 IP with 22 Ks, 3 BB, 15 H, 9 R, and a WHIP of .89 @PBR_JUCO @_TheJBB @TadSlowik_DBA @KarstenStotlar pic.twitter.com/AI9Ru6glDa
— Logan Vols Baseball (@LoganVolsBsbl) April 11, 2024
I asked Drew Pestka what his favorite pitch to throw is. Without hesitation Pestka responded, “It’s got to be the fast ball.”
He explained that the fastball is just “throw it any way and just blow it by hitters. It’s the most versatile pitch for sure,” he said.
Pestka doubled down on his take saying that there’s “nothing better to throw than a fast ball.”
Safe to say Pestka will look to continue work on his fast ball as he trains with the Reds staff.
As for what’s next for Pestka, he says that the staff plans to “keep it simple” as he learns from and with current Reds pitcher Cole Schoenwetter as he starts in in lower A baseball in Daytona for the Cincinnati Reds with the Daytona Tortugas.
Pestka hopes to impress the Reds pitching coaches and crawl his way up the ladder through Single-A, to eventually Double-A, and Triple-A with every baseball players dream of eventually playing in the MLB.
