The Pittsburgh Pirates have signed their 25th round pick from the 2014 draft, shortstop Erik Forgione from the University of Washington. Forgione announced the official signing himself on Twitter today
Officially just signed my contract to play for the @Pirates! Can't thank God enough for blessing me with this opportunity. #childhooddream
— Erik Forgione (@Erik_Forgione) June 16, 2014
The 21-year-old is a very strong defensive player, who projects to remain at the position in the pros. He never hit much in college, so he will need to improve that aspect of his game if he is going to advance far in the pros. You can find his player page here and keep track of all of the draft signings in our draft tracker.
John started working at Pirates Prospects in 2009, but his connection to the Pittsburgh Pirates started exactly 100 years earlier when Dots Miller debuted for the 1909 World Series champions. John was born in Kearny, NJ, two blocks from the house where Dots Miller grew up. From that hometown hero connection came a love of Pirates history, as well as the sport of baseball.
When he didn't make it as a lefty pitcher with an 80+ MPH fastball and a slider that needed work, John turned to covering the game, eventually focusing in on the prospects side, where his interest was pushed by the big league team being below .500 for so long. John has covered the minors in some form since the 2002 season, and leads the draft and international coverage on Pirates Prospects. He writes daily on Pittsburgh Baseball History, when he's not covering the entire system daily throughout the entire year on Pirates Prospects.
What is up with Connor Joe? I thought that was worked out?
I am hoping that they don’t sign him. They can then take a TRUE #1 comp pick next year.
I am just assuming here, but I think he will sign for enough under slot that it will allow them to sign someone worthwhile with the extra cash
There are a few other players we know about, but don’t have official word from the team or the player that they signed yet. Expect a few more to be announced tonight or tomorrow.