Helisek, a graduate of Seneca Valley High School, will return to Western Pennsylvania after a three-year stint in the St. Louis Cardinals system. The southpaw was drafted by the Cardinals in the 30th round of the 2012 MLB June Amateur Draft and spent parts of three seasons with the Batavia Muckdogs, Peoria Chiefs and the Palm Beach Cardinals. Overall, he pitched in 60 games, made 56 starts and posted a career 18-16 record with a 3.61 ERA. In 306 1/3 innings, he registered 201 strikeouts and established a 1.56 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Last season, Helisek appeared in just five games with the Chiefs before he was promoted to Palm Beach. Once in Palm Beach, Helisek got off to a hot start. In his first 11 starts, he went 4-2 with a 2.59 ERA in 62 2/3 innings earning him a spot on the 2014 Florida State League All-Star Game. At the conclusion of his 2014 campaign, Helisek owned a 5-6 record with a 3.80 ERA and tallied 56 strikeouts in 97 innings.

Helisek spent the entire 2013 season with Peoria. As a member of the Chiefs rotation, he started 23 games and had a 7-7 record with a 3.13 ERA in 129 1/3 innings of work. As a rookie with Batavia in 2012, he appeared in 12 games and made 10 starts. The former Muckdog compiled a 4-2 record with a 3.42 ERA and 33 strikeouts in 55 1/3 innings.

In his four-year collegiate career at Villanova University, Helisek flourished as one of the most dominant pitchers in school history. He became the first Villanova player to ever be drafted by St. Louis and ranks sixth in the program in innings pitched. During his time as a Wildcat, he pitched in 55 games, made 46 starts and worked 270 1/3 innings. His career totals included two complete games, 11 wins, one save and 148 strikeouts.