Mt. Lebanon alum Austin Kitchen to sign with Colorado Rockies organization

The Washington Wild Things are sending another player to a big league organization.

The Wild Things announced Wednesday that Mt. Lebanon native Austin Kitchen, who played this past summer with the Steel City Slammin Sammies in pod play at Wild Things Park, will sign with the Colorado Rockies organization. Kitchen will be the 41st player to sign with an affiliated club while under contract with the Wild Things.

The southpaw threw 12 innings and only allowed 10 hits this past summer while walking two, striking out 11, and giving up two earned runs.

“My agent has been in contact with (the Rockies) for several months updating them with new data and video and getting feedback,” Kitchen said. “Then Sunday the call finally came and (I) found out when my agent called me and said they offered me a contract. I was super excited and was receiving calls from people in the organization welcoming me and setting up travel dates. I’m really excited to join this organization and learn from them to continue to develop. I’m thankful for them giving me the opportunity.”

During his time at Mt. Lebanon, Kitchen was a WPIAL Class 4A all-star and earned a 6-1 record as a senior with a 2.29 ERA and a 0.95 WHIP. He also struck out a school-record 85 batters in 51 innings as the Blue Devils produced a 15-3 record and won a section championship.

Kitchen continued his successful baseball career at Coastal Carolina the following year and was named a Louisville Slugger/Collegiate Baseball Freshman All-American as his team won the 2016 NCAA Championship. He was 4-0 with two saves in 21 appearances while limiting opposing batters to a .185 batting average.

During his time with the Wild Things organization, Kitchen was able to pick the brains of several players who have played affiliated ball, and he believes that was instrumental in getting him the opportunity with the Rockies.

“Washington gave me a lot of knowledge of how to work and develop as a professional. Being there and learning from a lot of other guys who have been in affiliated ball and guys who have been in baseball a long time was extremely helpful being able to pick their brains,” Kitchen said. “Then, the biggest part was being able to go out there and compete against other pro guys and really learning how to pitch and call your own game.”