A freshman last season at Virginia Tech, 6-0, 200 RHP Marcel Kulik got a taste of what major college baseball was all about. Pitching in 13 games, he threw 14 innings with an ERA of 7.07 for the Hokies. Striking out 16 with 10 walks, the hard-thrower showed some serious arm talent but was looking for more in year two. Recently going into the portal because of changes at Virginia Tech, he committed to Auburn this week following a strong summer in the New England Collegiate Baseball League.

“The level of SEC baseball is just different,” Kulik tells Auburnundercover.com. “The development, the level of competition is just something that can’t be found anywhere else. That’s really what made it so appealing to me.”

This summer has been a breakout performance for Kulik while playing for the Newport Gulls. Used mostly as a short reliever, Kulik pitched in 12 games, allowing eight earned runs in 22.1 innings with 28 strikeouts and 17 walks. 

What is interesting is that when the Gulls got to the playoffs, they put Kulik on the mound to start on Wednesday night against Martha’s Vineyard. Pitching three innings, he allowed one run on just one hit with three strikeouts.

It was another confidence builder for a guy that has shown the ability but was looking for something to grow from after very little action as a true freshman.

“I got the experience that I didn’t really have at Virginia Tech,” Kulik said. “Just building on some good outings this summer just gave me confidence. I’m looking forward to bringing that to Auburn as well.”

A late developer in terms of velocity, Kulik threw just 79 MPH in July of 2021. That improved to 85 MPH in 2022 and by the time he got to the summer of 2023, he was up to 93 on the gun. Now up to the mid 90’s, he said it has helped him as he’s continued to progress as a pitcher but there is more to his game.

“Throwing hard helps, but you can’t really do much with that unless you know how to pitch,” Kulik said. “Even this summer, it gave me so much experience. Being able to throw different pitches and really learn how to pitch has helped me so much.”

Kulik becomes the fifth pitcher from the transfer portal to choose the Tigers for the 2025-26 season. The others are RHP Drew Whalen from Western Kentucky, and lefties Nick Marciano from Virginia Tech, Garrett Brewer from Michigan State and Ethan Harden from Belmont. 

Arriving on campus this weekend to begin preparing for school to start on August 18, Kulik said he’s excited about the next chapter of his career at Auburn.

“I can’t wait. I’m sure the experience will be one of a kind.”