Richland senior Austin Urban signs his letter of intent to play baseball at Penn State last fall. The pitcher was selected by the Baltimore Orioles in the 27th round of the Major League Baseball first-year player draft June 8.(File Photo)

Just four days after graduating from Richland high school, Austin Urban found himself the most noted young baseball player in Johnstown.

Urban, a seventeen year old Ram pitcher was selected in the 27th round of the Major League Baseball first year player draft by the Baltimore Orioles on June 8. Despite only two years of experience on the mound, the selection of Urban came as no surprise to anyone.

“The Orioles and a lot of other teams were intrigued with him considering he doesn’t have a whole lot of innings under his belt,” said Urban’s AAABA coach Chris Delsignore of Delweld. “It wasn’t a matter of whether or not he would be drafted rather what round and by what team.”

Orioles pick Richland graduate in draft
Mike Mastovich
mmastovich@tribdem.com

JOHNSTOWN — Richland High School’s Austin Urban had heard he might be picked anywhere from the fourth to the eighth round of Tuesday’s Major League Baseball first-year player draft.

The 17-year-old Penn State recruit also knew he might go later. There’s no exact science to baseball’s draft.

When the phone finally rang, the Baltimore Orioles were calling in the 27th round, making the right-handed pitcher, who also plays second base for Delweld in the AAABA League, the 808th pick overall.

Greg Welsh – Penn State University (Baseball)

Major: Undecided but considering business

Final list of colleges: Penn State, Maryland, Pitt, Virginia Tech, East Carolina, Michigan, Wake Forest

Reasons for choosing

via Welsh to Play Baseball at Penn State.

10. Council Rock South (14-3, No. 9). The Golden Hawks’ bid to retain the Suburban One League National Conference crown is led by lefty Greg Welsh, a Penn State commit, and junior shortstop Bill Fleming. Welsh, a second-team all-league selection, posted a 5-0 mark with a 2.51 ERA.

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UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. – Penn State head baseball coach Robbie Wine announced on Monday the signing of seven top recruits to National Letters of Intent. Among the class are five of the top prospects from Pennsylvania and two from Massachusetts. The group, that will join the program in the fall of 2010, consists of two pitchers, three position players and two others who can both pitch and play in the field.

“I am extremely excited about this incoming class, both on and off the field,” said Wine. “Its an important class, which should help fill our immediate needs. Its a talented group that should jump in and make an instant impact.”

Among the incoming freshmen are five from the Keystone State: right-handed pitcher Scott Dixon Blairsville, outfielder Zach Ell Plains, third baseman Kyle Redinger Lebanon, pitcher/infielder Austin Urban Windber and left-handed pitcher Greg Welsh Holland. They are set to join 15 Nittany Lion underclassmen from Pennsylvania who are scheduled to return in the fall of 2010.

via Baseball Signs Seven Top Recruits to National Letters of Intent – PENN STATE OFFICIAL ATHLETIC SITE .

A member of the New York Yankees Area Code Team, Alex Farkes from Buckingham Brown & Nichols (Cambridge, Ma.), decided on Penn State, to further his education and to play baseball.

“I chose Penn State because of the potential of the program, along with its academic prestige, and because of their coaching staff,” the infielder/catcher said of his choice to be a Nittany Lion.  Last year, Penn State finished 25-26 (8-16 in Big Ten play).

via ESPN – Farkes to Penn State – High School Baseball.

Unfortunately, the Nationals sweetened the deal that they had offered their 21st round draftee by guaranteeing to pay his tuition at any school of his choice should he eventually walk away from baseball.