WPIAL Players/Alum Selected in 2015 Major League Baseball Draft

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, June 12, 2015 | 12:29 PM

There may not be many WPIAL high school seniors or alums selected in the 2015 Major League Baseball Draft, but there was one taken on Day One of the three day event. As expected, a former Mount Lebanon standout went in the first round. Here are the four alums and one current player taken in this years three day draft, the 50th anniversary of the MLB event.

*  IAN HAPP – 1st Round: 9th Overall Pick by Chicago Cubs
Mount Lebanon High School and University of Cincinnati
OF, Junior, Switch Hitter, Throws Right, 6’0, 225, 21-years old

An unheralded recruit from Mount Lebanon High School, Happ almost certainly will become the highest-drafted player in Cincinnati history. The Bearcats never have had a player taken in the top two rounds, not even when big leaguers Kevin Youkilis, Josh Harrison and Tony Campana came through the program in the 2000s. Happ ranked as the top position prospect in the prestigious Cape Cod League in each of his two summers in college. A switch-hitter who’s better from the left side of the plate, he has good balance and controls the strike zone well. Add in some deceptive strength, and he should hit for average and power. Happ played mostly second base in 2013 and does have solid speed and arm strength, so a pro team could try him in the infield. But he lacks smooth infield actions, hasn’t played regularly on the dirt since his freshman year and fits best on an outfield corner.

*  MAX McDOWELL – 13th Round: 391st Overall Pick by Milwaukee Brewers
Norwin High School and University of Connecticut
C, Junior, Hits Right, Throws Right, 6’0, 208, 21-years old

*  JOEY HAVRILAK – 18th Round: 550th Overall Pick by Detroit Tigers
Trinity High School and University of Akron
RF, 5th Year Senior, Hits Left, Throws Right, 6’1, 195, 23-years old

*  JACK GRAHAM – 38th Round: 1,153rd Overall Pick by Baltimore Orioles
Seneca Valley High School and Slippery Rock University
2B, Junior, Hits Right, Throws Right, 5’9, 180, 22-years old

*  DOMENIC DeRENZO – 40th Round: 1,193rd Overall Pick by Chicago Cubs
Pittsburgh Central Catholic HS (Oklahoma University recruit)
C, High School Senior, Hits Right, Throws Right, 5’11, 185, 18-years old