Pirates Sign Top Draft Choice
July 10, 2003 - New York-Penn League (NYPL)
Williamsport Crosscutters News Release
July 10 - Pirates general manager Dave Littlefield announced Wednesday the team had agreed to terms with left-handed pitcher Paul Maholm, their first-round pick in the 2003 First-Year Player Draft.
Maholm, the eight overall selection in the draft, will receive a $2.2 million signing bonus. Maholm, 20, helped lead Mississippi State to a spot in the NCAA Regional Finals after compiling a 9-2 mark with a 2.76 ERA and 101 strikeouts in 107 2/3 innings as a junior in 2003. He was named to the first-team All-SEC squad and was ranked by Baseball America as the third-closest college pitcher to being ready for the Major Leagues. Maholm was also ranked by Baseball America as the ninth best pitcher available and the 17th best overall prospect in the draft.
Maholm will report to the Pirates' training facilities in Bradenton, Fla., on Thursday night. He'll participate in a workout with team officials Friday to determine what kind of shape he is in following a month-long layoff since the end the college season. From there, the club will decide where to assign him in the minor leagues.
Maholm is hoping to begin his professional career with either short-season Williamsport or low-A Hickory. But regardless of where he is assigned, Maholm is confident that he can immediately continue to build upon his college success.
The selection of Maholm marked the sixth consecutive draft in which the Pirates nabbed a pitcher with their top selection.
New York-Penn League Stories from July 10, 2003
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- Pirates Sign Top Draft Choice - Williamsport Crosscutters
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- Former Major League All-Star Tim Raines in Jamestown - Jamestown Jammers
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