Bednar family has day to remember in S.F.
Andy Bednar was living a dream Friday night at Oracle Park.
He had one son, David, in a Pirates uniform as a member of Pittsburgh’s bullpen and another son, Will, in a Giants jersey shortly after signing as the 14th overall pick in last week’s draft.
“Just completely surreal,” Andy Bednar said. “What are the chances that the day Will signs, the Giants play the Pirates? You can’t write a story any better than that, and I couldn’t be prouder of both.”
Will Bednar, who led Mississippi State to the College
World Series championship, beating Vanderbilt in the final, received a $3.65 million signing bonus and will head to the Giants’ complex in Arizona to begin his training.
The Giants’ Bednar, 21, is five years younger than his brother, and both were coached by their father at Mars High School in Mars, Pa. The family lives 25 minutes from PNC Park, where the Bednar boys spent part of their childhood.
“They’re two of the best and most talkedabout ballparks with two great views,” said Andy Bednar, referring to PNC and Oracle. “It’s really cool here with people kayaking for home run balls.”
The brothers took far different paths to pro ball. David pitched at Lafayette College in Pennsylvania and was a 35thround pick in 2016 by the Padres and pitched parts of two seasons with San Diego before getting traded in January to Pittsburgh.
David has appeared in 43 games with the Pirates, posting a 2.77 ERA with 48 strikeouts in 39 innings.
“It all started the day David was traded to the Pirates,”
Andy Bednar said of the family’s whirlwind voyage. “Having him in our backyard is crazy. We were used to flying across the country.
“Then came Will’s college season, and Mississippi State got to the regionals, super regionals, College World Series, and then the draft, and now we’re all here today. One thing after another.”
Asked to explain the difference between the righthanders, Andy said, “At this stage, Will probably throws a little bit harder. David had that kind of relief look, even as a starter in college, while Will has more of a starter profile with three pitches.”
Because of the gap in age,
Will was in junior high when his brother was in college. Not until Will began appearing in highlevel showcases did he begin picking up pointers from his brother.
“One of Will’s better attributes, and he gets this from David, is never letting the moment get too big,” Andy said. “David’s helped him a lot on the mental side.”
Asked about his timeline for reaching the majors, Will said, “As soon as I can. Whenever they see fit.”