The Major League Baseball draft began last night with the Pirates taking Temarr Johnson, a high school infielder from Atlanta, Georgia. Many draft experts considered Johnson the best pure hitter in the draft. He had committed to Arizona State but will join the Pirates organization.
The Pirates had a compensatory pick in between the first and second rounds and took right-handed pitcher Thomas Harrington from Campbell University. They took another pitcher in the second round with the 44th overall pick and selected left-handed Hunter Barco from Florida.
The Seattle Mariners selected North Allegheny shortstop Cole Young with the 21st overall pick. Young became the seventh player from the WPIAL to be selected in the first round out of high school since the beginning of the MLB summer draft began in 1965. Two of those players include Knoch’s Scott Thompson in 1974 and Pine-Richland’s Neil Walker 30 years later.
Sons of former major league players were the top overall picks. Jackson Holliday, son of Matt Holliday was taken first overall. Druw Jones, son of former All-Star Andruw Jones was taken second.