Eastern Michigan Athletics
Skirving Drafted by Pittsburgh Pirates
6/8/2010 9:39:58 PM | Baseball
Junior catcher Matt Skirving taken in the 30th round of the MLB First-Year Player Draft by the Pirates
YPSILANTI, Mich. (EMUEagles.com) – Eastern Michigan University junior captain and catcher Matt Skirving (Midland, Mich.-H.H. Dow) was selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 30th round of the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft late Tuesday, June 8.
In 56 games played during the 2010 season, including 53 starts, Skirving led the Eagles with 17 doubles to go along with six home runs and 28 RBI. Skirving finished the season with a .259 batting average (53-for-205) and was fourth on the team with 27 walks. In 2009, Skirving was a first-team All-Mid-American Conference selection, while also earning first-team All-Region accolades, after hitting .348 with 16 home runs and 64 RBI. In his three-year career, Skirving hit 26 home runs and finished with 104 RBI.
“I'm proud of Matt and I have no doubt that he has the tools to perform at the next level,” said EMU Head Coach Jay Alexander. “Matt's potential is endless and he has what professional baseball is looking for at his position. He has a strong arm, bat speed and plus power with his bat. I know he will do well.”
Skirving, the 897th selection in this year's MLB Draft, is the first player since former EMU All-American Brian Bixler to be selected by the Pirates, who took Bixler in the second round (52nd overall) in 2004. Skirving is the third player to be drafted under Alexander, as Jim Gulliver and Kyle Rhoad were both selected in last year's MLB Draft.
