Pirates select catcher Reese McGuire with 14th overall selection in MLB draft

The Pittsburgh Pirates have selected catcher Reese McGuire (6-1, 190lbs) of Kentwood High School with the 14th overall selection in the MLB draft. McGuire hit .436 with 4 home runs, 20 RBIs, 13 doubles and 3 triples this year for Kentwood HS.

Five picks earlier the Pirates nabbed outfielder Austin Meadows and Pittsburgh hope had been that things would fall into place where a player they wanted at No. 9 would still be there at No. 14 and that was the case with McGuire still on the board at No. 14.

The Pirates had been strongly linked to McGuire leading up to the draft as GM Neal Huntington has scouted McGuire heavily in recent months. Regarded as the best catcher in the draft, what stands out with McGuire is that scouts contend his defensive ability is already at a Major League level. Also viewed as the best throwing catcher in the class, McGuire consistently shows pop times to second base in under 1.85 seconds.

His potential at the plate is more of a question mark. There are mix opinions from scouts and talent evaluators but some feel the left handed hitting catcher would hit well in PNC Park and the potential to be a 10-15 home run guy with a .270 average.

The selection of McGuire marks the second time in four years that the Pirates have drafted a catcher in the first round. The Pirates drafted Tony Sanchez with the No. 4 overall selection in the 2009 draft. The problem is the Pirates view Sanchez, 25, as having no future as an impact Major League player.

The slot for Austin Meadows is $3,029,600 and $2,569,800 for Reese McGuire.