McCook Community College signs pitcher Mitch Driver

A 19-year-old pitcher from Matraville has secured a US college scholarship he hopes will put him on the path to play Major League Baseball.

Matraville teen Mitchell Driver has won a scholarship to a US community college in Nebraska. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

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A 19-year-old pitcher from Matraville has secured a US college scholarship he hopes will put him on the path to play Major League Baseball.

Mitch Driver will move to the USA in August to begin playing and studying at McCook Community College in the state of Nebraska.

Mitch Driver at Chifley baseball fields. Picture: Matthew Vasilescu

Driver can expect to be playing or training almost every day of the season as part of the

National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) competition.

“It’s a once in a lifetime experience,” Driver said of the two-year scholarship.

“The baseball is a lot better there in terms of competitiveness and talent.

“I’m keen to play against better batters, which can show how good you are.”

A 16-year-old Mitch Driver pitched for the CHS NSW school team. Picture: John Appleyard

Driver received four offers from colleges while playing in the US in March as part of an Australian team.

A right-arm pitcher, he can throw at 86mph. His repertoire includes a four seam fastball, sinker, changeup, curveball, and he is working on a slider.

The former South Sydney High School student has been playing for the Cronulla Sharks and University of NSW (winter).

Mitch Driver, then 14, in the Australian under-14s kit. Picture: Phil Blatch

While there has been plenty of praise for his talents, Driver expects American coaches might be more circumspect about a foreign player.

“They’ll definitely be hard to impress because obviously I’m not homegrown. I’m coming to prove myself,” he said.

He then hopes to gain a contract with a minor league club, which is the usual route to the Major League.