GRANVILLE. W.Va. — This season’s West Virginia Black Bears squad began to take form Monday during the beginning of the Major League Baseball draft.
West Virginia, the Class A short season affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates, picked right-handed pitcher Quinn Priester of Cary-Grove High School in Illinois. He is committed to play at TCU, though that is unlikely with the first-round selection.
As a high school draftee, Priester will likely start his pro career with the Pirates’ Gulf Coast League team in Bradenton, Fla., or their Bristol, Va., club in the Appalachian League, if he opts to sign with Pittsburgh rather than take the college route.
Center fielder Sammy Siani of Penn Charter (Pa.) went off the board to the Pirates in the first round at 37th overall. Like Priester, it is unlikely Siani will start the season at West Virginia as a high school prospect. He is committed to Duke and will have the chance to sign with the Blue Devils if he chooses.
With the 57th overall pick, the Pirates picked center fielder Matt Gorski, a junior from Indiana University. Though he has one year of eligibility remaining, Gorski likely will be assigned to the Black Bears.
In 55 games this season, Gorski hit .271 with 12 home runs and 46 RBIs for the Hoosiers.
Late in the second round, Pittsburgh took Houston third baseman Jared Triolo, who could also see himself in a Black Bears uniform. Also a junior, he could return to school after hitting .332 with 25 extra-base hits this season.
The third round will begin at 1 p.m. Tuesday and will conclude at Round 10, with the rest of the draft beginning at noon Wednesday.
Assignments will likely be announced within the week.
The Black Bears begin their season June 14 at Mon County Ballpark against Mahoning Valley.
