The Arizona Republic

Arizona State shortstop Drew Maggi signed with the Pittsburgh Pirates on Monday at the deadline for drafted players to choose between pro and college baseball.

A draft-eligible sophomore because of his age, Maggi was a 15th-round pick by the Pirates, who sources said offered him a first-round bonus of more than $600,000.

Maggi played on the U.S. collegiate national team during the summer.

via ASU’s Drew Maggi, Jordan Swagerty sign pro contracts near deadline.

Club also agrees to terms with second-round pick Allie

By Jenifer Langosch / MLB.com0

AM ET PITTSBURGH — Vowing beforehand to allocate significant financial resources in order to secure premier talent from the First-Year Player Draft, the Pirates spent an unprecedented amount by the time Mondays signing deadline had passed.

The Pirates signed their two most prominent Draft choices — No. 2 overall pick Jameson Taillon and second-rounder Stetson Allie — on Monday to wrap up a signing period in which the organization inked a total of 27 players.

via Pirates sign No. 2 overall pick Taillon | pirates.com: News.

The Spikes’ Adalberto Santos, a New York-Penn League All-Star Game selection, is among the league leaders in runs, hits, triples and stolen bases. The outfielder owns many tattoos, several of which help convey his passion for the game of baseball and life.

His chest is a canvas, covered in ink, none of it wasted, all of it meaningful.

There is an image of praying hands holding rosary beads, there to remind Santos of his fallen father.

There are the words, “Go hard, or go home,” his mother’s favorite saying.

And there, spelled out in Chinese letters, is another motto — “Never give up.”

via Playing with passion – Sports | Centre Daily Times – State College, PA | Penn State, Nittany Lions, weather, news, jobs, homes, apartments, real estate.

Staff Writer

Brandon Cumpton might have surprised some of his fans when he signed a deal with the Pittsburgh Pirates last week.

The former Greenbrier High School product still had a year of eligibility left at Georgia Tech, but he skipped out on finishing his education to become a professional athlete.

The decision came late in the minor league season. The 21-year-old starting pitcher was added to the State College Spikes’ active roster Tuesday. He was drafted in the ninth round by the Pirates more than two months ago.

via Cumpton is latest from Greenbrier to join pros | The Augusta Chronicle.

By Alex Raskin / Special to MLB.com

Tyler Waldron tossed five nearly perfect innings the State College Spikes came within three outs of a no-hitter Saturday in a 1-0 blanking of the Aberdeen IronBirds.

The Pirates’ fifth-round pick in the 2010 Draft, Waldron (3-5) threw only 57 pitches, struck out two and recorded 11 groundouts to halt a personal three-game losing streak.

“I had really good fastball command. I could basically throw it wherever I wanted to tonight, he said. “I was able to throw all four of my pitches tonight, actually.”

via Waldron, Spikes flirt with no-hitter | MiLB.com News | The Official Site of Minor League Baseball.

Game Recap

Full Box Score

The setback was the Spikes’ third in four games on this road trip and fifth in their last six road contests overall.

Gerlis Rodriguez was 2-for-4 to lead State College and Adalberto Santos poked a double.

David Anderson ripped a pair of doubles, the second setting up the winning run, and Joel Polanco was 2-for-4 with a solo homer.

Jesse Rasner (1-0) earned the win after pitching a scoreless top of the 11th. Ironbirds starter Tyler Sexton pitched six strong innings, giving up four hits and a walk with six strikeouts and allowing just one run.

via Spikes clipped in extras – Sports | Centre Daily Times – State College, PA | Penn State, Nittany Lions, weather, news, jobs, homes, apartments, real estate.

Another tight pitcher’s duel spilled over into extra innings Friday night as it took 11 innings for the Aberdeen IronBirds to beat the State College Spikes 3-2 in yet another thriller in front of a record 6,897 at Ripken Stadium. With Cal Ripken, Jr. and Orioles Director of Scouting Joe Jordan in attendance, catcher Austin Rauch’s single to deep left-center field was the difference maker, scoring pinch-runner Zach Moore from third base on the night of the opening ceremonies of the Cal Ripken World Series.

via IronBirds Prevail in 11, 3-2 : The Dagger | Harford County News With an Edge.

Game Recap

Full Box Score

LOWELL, Mass. — A trio of pitchers combined on a four-hit shutout while an error led to the only run as the State College Spikes topped the Lowell Spinners 1-0 at LeLacheur Park on Thursday.

Colton Cain, Kevin Decker and Jason Townsend teamed up for the shutout, the fourth thrown by State College pitchers this season.

Cain gave up two hits and two walks while striking our four in pitching the first four innings. Decker (5-1), the team-leader in wins, allowed two hits and a walk while striking out two in 41/ 3 innings. Townsend faced just one batter, inducing a line-drive double play to Gift Ngoepe, to earn the save.

via Spikes scratch out road victory – State College Spikes | Centre Daily Times – State College, PA | Penn State, Nittany Lions, weather, news, jobs, homes, apartments, real estate.