WHEELING, W.Va. — Former Wheeling Park and WVU pitcher Michael Grove signed a contract with the Dodgers’ organization, officially beginning the start of his professional career.
After redshirting last season, Grove was selected by Los Angeles in the second round of the Major League Baseball draft last month, going 68th overall.
That spot of the draft has a pick-value signing bonus of at least $917,000, but Grove reportedly received a bonus of $1,229,500.
After helping lead Wheeling Park to state semifinal appearances during his high school career in 2014 and 2015, Grove signed with WVU.
His sophomore season in 2017 included a 3-1 record and 2.87 ERA in nine starts. He fanned 61 and walked 15 in 47 innings, while holding hitters to a .174 batting average.
Grove showed a mid-90s fastball, along with a plus slider before missing all of 2018 following Tommy John surgery.
Former Preston standout and WVU shortstop Jimmy Galusky was drafted by the White Sox, while former Hurricane shortstop Trey Dawson, who played for Kentucky last year, was selected by the Astros.
Mountaineers senior pitcher BJ Myers (Rays) and junior second baseman Kyle Gray (Yankees) also signed with their teams.
The Dodgers’ first-round pick, J.T. Ginn, a high school prospect from Mississippi, opted against signing with LA and instead will attend Mississippi State.