After signing contract, top pick Baz set to chase big-league dream

Before Shane Baz could walk, he could throw a baseball to his mother, Tammy.

A successful youth baseball career followed and Baz always had his eyes on the major leagues. A native of Tomball, Texas, Baz watched closely as Jameson Taillon, who attended The Woodlands High School only 10 miles away, evolved from a first-round pick to a key cog in the Pirates' rotation.

Even one year ago, Baz did not suspect he'd be following the same path as Taillon, but he'll have his chance to do just that. The right-handed pitcher signed with the Pirates after they drafted him No. 12 overall in the MLB Draft on Monday night.



"To have this dream come true means everything," Baz, who will begin his career with the Gulf Coast League's Bradenton Pirates, said during an introductory press conference Friday at PNC Park.

Baz, who will turn 18 on Saturday, attended Concordia Lutheran High School, where he had a 6-2 record and a 0.93 ERA with 96 strikeouts this spring. He caught the eye of Pirates Area Scouting Supervisor Wayne Mathis months before that, though.

But Baz was unlike some top high school prospects. He was the last player invited to many showcases last summer, and seemed destined to continue his career at TCU after signing with the Horned Frogs in November.

As his draft stock rose, Baz was still adamant that it would take the right situation for him to pursue a professional career. That was always his dream, but at what cost?

It took Baz less than 72 hours to decide, and in his mind, the Pirates presented the right situation.

"He wanted to kind of weigh all of his options," his father, Raj, said. "This was just an amazing opportunity with a great organization. ... Just to see how the organization has raised (Taillon), I expect the same out of them for Shane, obviously, but it tells you a whole lot about people and the environment."

Taillon was drafted out of high school with the No. 2 overall pick in 2010 and it took him more than six years to reach the major leagues because of injuries.

The Pirates could have opted for a college pitcher this year, but Neal Huntington said it was also the "right player" at that pick. The organization lacks starting pitching depth, and Baz gives them a high upside pitcher with a fastball that has reportedly touched 99 mph and averages 93-96, as well as an excellent changeup and slider.

But Huntington acknowledged the challenge that is ahead. High school pitchers are projects who take years of development to mold into major-league ready players. The uptick in talent is significant from high school, though Baz was exposed to some of the top prep players in the country while playing for the US 18U National Team last year.

"We understand it’s going to be hard," Huntington said. "He’s now going to face the best players he’s faced outside of Team USA. There are going to be some long, hard days and it’s not going to be easy, but we believe we can help him through that and we believe he has a good foundation that’s been in place by a wonderful family and all the hard work he’s put in."

Huntington emphasized Baz's family throughout the press conference, referencing their support of Baz's baseball career and the morals they instilled in him. Baz agreed wholeheartedly, but his father quickly gave him the credit.

The work began last summer when Baz realized it was up to him to become more than a late invite to showcases. He spent five days a week in the weight room, building strength to improve his fastball.

That work helped him with the national team and caught the eye of Mathis. The Pirates have been in close contact since, watching closely as Baz fooled hitters with his fastball movement, mixing in a refined changeup and doing so with a delivery advanced for a pitcher his age.

With the Pirates, Baz saw an opportunity to develop into a starter like Taillon or Gerrit Cole.

"Their development has to be bar none, especially with pitchers like Gerrit Cole, Jamo and guys like that," he said. "That's proven their development to be as good as anybody."

His parents beamed while standing along a wall inside the press conference room at PNC Park, smiling and nodding as Huntington spoke of this first-round pick being another step in the organization's goal to compete annually in the Central Division.

Baz, meanwhile, smiled and joked about needing restaurant recommendations during his weekend in Pittsburgh. He'll head to Bradenton next Wednesday to begin his major league career, and his family, though, will force him to begin that journey alone.

Baz will return to Tomball on Sunday, where he'll pack his belongings to begin his professional baseball career. It once seemed likely they'd help him move into a dorm room at TCU, but he was reminded how quickly circumstances can change.

It all still seems surreal to both him and his family, but they're enjoying every second of it.

"It's time to get to work," Raj said with a smile.

MATT SUNDAY GALLERY