MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — One of West Virginia’s top pitching recruits, McLennan (Texas) Community College left-hander Greg Maisto, reportedly won’t make it to campus after choosing to sign with the Tampa Bay Rays.
McLennan coach Mitch Thompson said Wednesday that Maisto has agreed to terms with the Rays, though the team’s front office had yet to confirm the signing.
Maisto was part of a pitching-heavy 11-member class that signed national letters of intent with West Virginia last November.
Originally a Texas A&M signee, the 6-foot-1 Maisto transferred to junior college and went 7-3 with two complete games this spring as a redshirt freshman. While his 4.70 ERA wasn’t dazzling, Maisto’s low-90s fastball and promising secondary pitches made him a 16th-round selection by Tampa Bay.
“He’s a talented left-handed pitcher that I believe will continue to improve in,” Thompson said. “He has good sink on his fastball and has developed a pretty good breaking ball. I would not be surprised if he converts to a reliever in professional baseball.”
College programs typically lose top recruits to the MLB draft, but Mountaineers coach Randy Mazey signed six other pitchers for next season—all from the high school ranks.
Only one other signee, Caleb Ferguson, was drafted last weekend. The 6-foot-4 left-hander from West Jefferson, Ohio, was selected by the Dodgers in the 38th round. He faces a July 18 signing deadline with the big-league club.
Updates on other West Virginia players drafted: