Bartek signs with Cubs, NSU pitcher ready for single A play

Michael Bartek still has to pinch himself.

“These past few days, I’ll wake up and start to realize that it’s not a dream,” the Nicholls State University pitcher said last week after signing a free agent contract with the Chicago Cubs. “I realize that my college baseball career is over, but then I think about the great opportunity that I have to play professional baseball.”

Bartek, a 6-foot, 185-pound senior right-hander for the Colonels, begins workouts in Arizona this week and will play with the Cubs short season Single A affiliate in June.

“I really hope it works out for Michael and wish him the best,” said NSU coach Chip Durham. “He’s a good kid who works very hard.”

He throws hard, too. Bartek’s fastball tops out at 94 mph.

The development of his slider and changeup, however, is what Durham believes will help Bartek most.

“The guy certainly throws hard,” Durham explained. “His velocity is strong enough to pitch in professional baseball. But it’s the continual improvement of his off-speed pitches that will get him to the next level.”

Bartek always dreamed about getting a shot at the big leagues, but never imagined it would happen on the mound.

The Spring, Texas native wanted to play catcher at Splendora High School until his coach noticed his speed (a 4.36 in the 40-yard dash) during a tryout and moved him to the outfield.

Bartek continued in the outfield at Temple College for two years before transferring to NSU as a junior year. After starting at center field with the Colonels, Durham took a gamble and moved him to the hill.

“We knew he had a strong arm as a center fielder, so we made him concentrate on pitching,” he said.

Bartek struggled the first part of the season but came on strong during his last four starts.

His May 6 showdown against Texas-Arlington was especially impressive. Bartek limited the Mavericks to only two hits and two walks and struck out six en route to completing his first complete-game shutout.

The performance netted him Southland Conference and Louisiana Sports Writer’s Association’s Pitcher of the Week honors.

“When Michael mixed speeds up, which is something he eventually learned to do, he started giving opposing teams problems,” Durham said.

Bartek concluded his two-year career at NSU with 105 strikeouts. As a senior, he finished first on the team in complete games (three), strikeouts (65) and innings pitched (89.0). Bartek also limited opposing batters to a .270 batting average.

His freshness at his new position, however, was what particularly attracted scouts.

“I had never concentrated on pitching until this year,” said Bartek, “so people started showing interest in me because I had a live arm.”

He hopes it can carry him all the way to Wrigley Field one day.

In the meantime, Bartek plans to enjoy the moment.

“Right now, it’s still like ‘Wow!’” he said. “It probably won’t sink in until I actually start pitching.”

Photo by DOUG KEESE * NSU * Nicholls State University pitcher Michael Bartek signed a free agent contract with the Chicago Cubs last week.

Doug Keese