Mariners take pitcher Nick Neidert 60th overall to open MLB Draft
Jun 8, 2015, 8:47 PM | Updated: Jun 9, 2015, 12:31 pm
The Mariners’ first pick of the 2015 MLB Draft is right-handed pitcher Nick Neidert, an 18-year-old out of Peachtree Ridge High School in Lawrenceville, Ga. that Seattle took with the 60th overall selection.
The Mariners waited until 60th to pick because they forfeited their first-round selection with the free-agent signing of outfielder Nelson Cruz last offseason.
Neidert is signed to play for the University of South Carolina, according to his Twitter account.
The 6-foot-1, 185-pound high school senior was named a first-team All-American and Southeast All-Region first-teamer by Perfect Game in 2015.
“We see him as a projectable, loose, athletic kid. Very confident,” said Tom McNamara, Mariners director of amateur scouting. “His fastball ranges 93 to 97, mostly 93 to 94. He’s got good command. We think his slider’s got a lot of potential. He also features a changeup that he’s got a feel for.”
The Neidert pick was announced by Mariners representative Ken Griffey, Jr.
The Mariners added another right-handed pitcher, Andrew Moore, with the 72nd overall selection.