Class: HS Senior
Hometown: Camarillo, California
Height/Weight: 6-3/172
Born: January 22, 1994
Virant is a lanky left-hander who will no doubt challenge for the top spot among high school southpaws.
He’s been consistently clocked in the low-to-mid 90s, and has touched 96 mph in the past. He complements his fastball with a stellar curveball, one that could be one of the best in the class with a bit more experience and polish. Speaking of polish, Virant is arguably one of the most polished hurlers from the high school crop, and that should allow him to jump right into pro ball as soon as he signs with a club.
Virant was athletic enough to play multiple positions throughout his high school career, including first base and outfield. He shows enough potential at the plate to warrant a spot in the draft, but on the mound his future as a No. 2 or No. 3 starter is going to be too much to ignore.
Virant has drawn some comparisons, despite the size difference, to one of last year’s top high school lefties, Henry Owens. Owens ended up going in the supplemental first-round to Boston. Virant will likely slot in around the same area, if not a bit higher.
He gave his stock a slight boost by tossing a no-hitter in his final start of April.
Fastball: 90-96 mph
Curveball: 77-83 mph
Changeup: 80-85 mph
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