The Pittsburgh Pirates today announced they have agreed to terms with catcher Reese McGuire, the club’s first-round selection and 14th selection overall in the 2013 First-Year Player Draft. The announcement was made by Senior Vice President, General Manager Neil Huntington and Joe DelliCarri, Pirates Director of Scouting.
As a senior this year at Kentwood (WA) High School, McGuire hit .436 with 13 doubles, three triples, four home runs, and 20 RBI. He was rated the fifth-best position player and the 12th-best player overall in this year’s draft by Baseball America. He was also rated by the same publication as the second-best “Defensive Player” among high school players eligible for the draft.
“We are thrilled that Reese has joined the Pirates family and are excited for him to immediately begin his career within our organization,” said DelliCarri.
The 18-year-old McGuire was named the 2012-13 Gatorade Washington Player-of-the-Year while also receiving the 2012 USA Baseball Dick Chase Award after helping Team USA’s 18-and-under squad defeat Canada and win the gold medal at the IBAF 18U World Championship in Seoul, South Korea last September.
Previous winners of the award include Nationals third baseman Ryan Zimmerman and righthander Stephen Strasburg, Mariners first baseman Justin Smoak and Cubs outfield prospect Albert Almora.
McGuire will begin his professional career with the Gulf Coast League Pirates.
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(Photo Credit: Alyson Boyer Rode)
