Former BC High star Mike Vasil has made his mark coming out of the bullpen in this, his rookie MLB season. On Sunday, though, he went back to doing what he used to do best — taking the ball to start the game.
The 25-year-old got a no-decision in his first start of the season, allowing 2 runs on 5 hits with a walk and a strikeout over 3â…“ innings in Chicago’s 7-5 home loss to the Kansas City Royals. Vasil, a 6-5 right-hander, threw 33 of his 50 pitches for strikes. Staked to a 2-0 lead in the first, he allowed a tying two-run homer to KC’s Salvador Perez in the fourth.
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Vasil is 3-2 and owns a fine 2.18 ERA and a 1.26 WHIP across 41â…“ innings this season. He has yet to allow more than two earned runs in any of his 19 appearances for Sox.
Vasil, whom the White Sox claimed off waivers on March 23, told the Chicago media before his start that he was open to filling any role on the staff. He primarily was a starting pitcher in high school, college and the minor leagues.
“I will just do whatever they ask,” he was quoted as saying in an SI.com story by Jack Ankony. “That’s really my goal coming here in general. Do whatever the team needs. Yeah, anything they feel is right for me to put me in any situation, I feel like they have done that so far so I trust them with whatever they decide moving forward. Whatever that is, so yeah.”
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After starring at BC High, Vasil was expected to be a high pick in the 2018 Major League Baseball Draft. Instead, he pulled his name and opted to play college ball at the University of Virginia. He eventually was selected by the New York Mets in the eighth round of the 2021 draft.
Chicago White Sox starting pitcher Mike Vasil (61) delivers a pitch against the Kansas City Royals during the first inning at Rate Field on June 8, 2025.
He made it up to Triple-A Syracuse in 2023 and 2024, but struggled in the latter season, posting an 8-10 record and 6.04 ERA.
The Philadelphia Phillies selected him 14th overall in the Rule 5 draft this past December and then immediately traded him to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for cash and a player to be named later.
This article originally appeared on The Patriot Ledger: Mike Vasil makes first MLB start for Chicago White Sox