3:06pm: Hotline with Dave Weekley

Top WVU pitching recruit reportedly signs with Rays

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:

Bobby Boyd (eighth round, Astros): The junior outfielder agreed to terms with Houston and was expected to report to Single-A Tri-City of the New York-Penn League. His draft slot of No. 226 carried an assigned slot value of $162,800.
Harrison Musgrave (eighth round, Rockies): Though expected to sign, the junior left-hander has not finalized his deal, according to the club. His No. 233 draft slot had an assigned slot value of $160,200.
John Means (11th round, Orioles): The junior left-hander, who’s expected to forgo his final season at WVU, had not signed as of Wednesday, according to the Orioles’ front office.
Sean Carley (14th round, Yankees): The junior right-hander signed and was stationed at Single-A Staten Island, also of the New York-Penn League.
Ryan McBroom (15th round, Blue Jays): The senior first baseman is in the process of signing, but there’s no official word yet on where he’ll report in the minors.
Corey Walter (28th round, A’s): The senior right-hander also is in the process of signing and awaits word on his reporting locale, expected to be Vermont of the New York-Penn League.






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