Penn State second baseman Matt Cavagnaro and pitcher Gary Amato are
among seven recently-drafted players who have agreed to terms with the
Pittsburgh Pirates.
Cavagnaro,
a senior selected in the 21st round of last week’s Major League
Baseball Draft, is expected to begin his professional career with the
State College Spikes. Amato, a junior selected in the 48th round, will
begin his career with either Bradenton of the rookie Gulf Coast League
or State College.
Amato’s deal with the Pirates means he cannot
return to Penn State for his senior season. Amato, 21, recorded a 5.96
ERA with 15 strikeouts and 16 walks in 252/3 innings for the Nittany
Lions in 2007.
Cavagnaro, 21, completed his fourth year with the
Nittany Lions this past spring. He hit .335 and struck out just 19
times in 57 games this past season.
The highest drafted player
who has signed with the Pirates is seventh-round pick Juan Garcia, an
18-year-old catcher from the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy. Garcia will
likely begin his professional career in Bradenton.
The Pirates
also signed Nebraska left-hander Tony Watson (ninth round), Eastern
Illinois right-hander Erik Huber (12th round), Washington right-hander
Harrison Bishop (17th round) and Point Loma Nazarene right-hander
Taylor Cameron (31st round). All four pitchers are candidates to play
for the Spikes this summer. The Spikes begin their season next Tuesday
at Williamsport.
Powered by ScribeFire.
