Area’s top players showcasing talent
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
“I was proud as hell seeing him compete against some of the college guys,”Andy Bednar said.
The East Coast Pro Showcase is run by MLB scouts. Players are assigned to six teams. Bednar will have a familiar face on his squad — PineRichland senior catcher Matt Wood. Bednar and Wood are also teammates on the Pittsburgh Diamond Dawgstravel team.
The Area Code Games are similar to the East Coast Pro Showcase, only it has players from all over the country. Andy Bednar said there are also seminarsfor the players to help them prepare for life in professional baseball.
There is already one Bednar playing in the pros. Will’s brother, David, plays for the Lake Elsinore Storm, a Class A affiliate of the San Diego Padres. Bednar was drafted by the Padres in the 35th round of the 2016 draft out of Lafayette College. A right-handed reliever, Bednar was 23 with a 3.06 ERA and had 64 strikeoutsin 53 innings entering Tuesday’s play. Will and Andy plan on going to seeDavid play while in California.
Of his recruitment, Will Bednar said, “Right now I’m trying to explore some places and probably make a decision at the end of August.”
He said he also can’t help but think about potentially getting draftednext June.
“Ithink about it a little bit, but I try for it to not be the main thing. It’s something there in the back of my mind,”he said.
Bednar isn’t the only local high school baseball star who has played on some big stages this summer. West Allegheny’s Austin Hendrick went to Cary, N.C., for USA Baseball’s Tournament of Stars and was in Chicago last week after being named to USA Baseball’s 42-player 2018 17U National Team DevelopmentProgram roster.
Hendrick, a left-handed hitting outfielder and pitcher, is considered the No. 1 junior in the country by Perfect Game and is projected to be a first-roundpick in the 2020 draft.
MLB.com draft analyst Jonathan Mayo recently tweeted this about Hendrick:
“Want to get started on the 2020 @MLBDraft? Start with Austin Hendrick, who just hit a bit 424 feet out to right-center. 107 mph off the bat. #TOS18”-- @JonathanMayo
Hendrick has verbally committed to Mississippi State. Hendrick and Bednar were the only underclassmen selected to the Post-Gazette’s All-Area Team this past season. Hendrick hit .371 with three triples, three home runs and a 1.163 OPS. He was also 5-2 with a 0.70 ERA and 46 strikeoutsin 40 innings.