Spikes’ top prospects step into the lineup tonight

Guy Cipriano

UNIVERSITY PARK — Pitcher Quinton Miller signed a professional contract shortly before last summer’s Aug. 15

Sanchez

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deadline. Catcher Tony Sanchez signed his deal one day after this year’s Major League Baseball Draft.

Both prospects might begin their professional careers on the same night.

Miller, a 20th-round pick last year, will start tonight’s game at Williamsport, while Sanchez, a 2009 first-round pick who signed last week, could be inserted later in the game, manager Gary Robinson said before Friday’s opener.

The Pirates have invested considerable money into both players.

The organization brought Miller into the system by giving him a $900,000 signing bonus. Sanchez, 21, received a $2.5 million signing bonus after being selected fourth overall last week.

Robinson said Sanchez could play an “inning or two” tonight. Sanchez, who hit .346 with 14 homers as a junior at Boston College, is then expected to start Sunday and remain with the team until next Wednesday before reporting to full-season West Virginia.

‘I’m very curious to see him,” said Robinson, a catcher during his playing career. “I have heard a lot of good things about him. We know that he can catch it and throw it for sure. He will be fun to have around for a while.”

Curiosities also surround Miller. The Pirates sent the 19-year-old Miller to State College after he impressed members of the player development staff during last fall’s instructional league, spring training and extended spring training.

“He’s a kid who’s mature personally, so you feel like he can handle the challenges,” director of player development Kyle Stark said. “It’s a situation where you look at the investment we made in him, where we took him and say, ‘This guy should be able to go out, not necessarily have a ton of success here, but learn, survive and grow more so than down in the Gulf Coast League.’”

Miller hasn’t appeared in a regular-season game since his senior year at Shawnee (N.J.). He stayed active last summer by pitching in the Cal Ripken Summer Collegian League.

Miller said he didn’t think about signing until August. He was then forced to make the toughest decision of his life.

Miller had an attractive option. He signed a letter-of- intent with Division I power North Carolina.

The Tar Heels qualified for the College World Series and Miller followed the team between preparations for the New York- Penn League season. Arizona State eliminated North Carolina from national title contention Thursday night.

“It was by far the hardest decision I have ever had to make,” Miller said. “Being an 18-year-old at the time and having to make a decision like that, it was definitely tough. I will always think about it. I’m glad I made the decision I did and I’m excited to start.”

Miller said he signed so he could start his pro career earlier. If Miller went to North Carolina, he would not have been draft eligible again until after his junior year.

“I wanted to get on the fast track,” he said.

Miller is the youngest pitcher in the Spikes’ four-year history. But teammates and coaches have lauded his maturity.

“I always forget how old he is,” said Albert Fagan, who lived with Miller at Pirate City in Bradenton, Fla. “He’s really 22 at heart. It doesn’t seem like he’s 19.”

Miller often forgets his age, too — unless he’s reminded by teammates.

“They give me grief some times for being the young guy,” he said, “but for the most part, we have fun and get along great.”

Where are the draft picks?

The Spikes starting lineup Friday included no players selected in this year’s draft. Robinson, of course, doesn’t have many options because the current roster includes just three position player drafted earlier this month.

Robinson’s batting order: 1. Edward Garcia, center field, 2. Andy Vasquez, shortstop, 3. Justin Byler, designated hitter, 4. Kyle Morgan, first base, 5. David Rubin-stein, right field, 6. Craig Parry, catcher, 7. Matt Payne, third base, 8. Ciro Rosero, left field, 9. Freicer Pedron, second base.

All nine players participated in extended spring training.

“I had a lot of things to keep in mind,” Robinson said. “We have to be careful not to overmatch our new guys with information. We don’t want them to get off to a bad start because they are paralyzed and analyzing everything and trying to remember what to do.”

Coonelly appears

Pirates president Frank Coonelly addressed the crowd with Spikes managing partner Chuck Greenberg before the game. Coonelly, a Penn State graduate, has made frequent appearances in State College since becoming Pirates president in 2007. Coonelly also attended a game here last September.