Mt. Lebanon pitcher David Shields signs with Kansas City Royals, forgoes college baseball
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Monday, July 22, 2024 | 3:56 PM
Mt. Lebanon pitcher David Shields pumps his fist after defeating Hempfield, 3-1, on Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Mt. Lebanon.
Mt. Lebanon pitcher David Shields smiles in the dugout after driving in a run against Hempfield on Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Mt. Lebanon.
Mt. Lebanon’s David Shields is turning pro.
The left-handed pitcher has signed with the Kansas City Royals, who drafted him in the second round of the MLB Draft, forgoing a scholarship to play baseball at Miami (Fla.). Shields posted a photo on social media showing him signing his contract with the message: “Let’s get started KC.”
Shields signed for $2.3 million, according to an MLB.com report. The slot value assigned to the 41st overall pick was $2.28 million.
The 6-foot-2, 210-pounder pitched and played center field for Mt. Lebanon, which reached the WPIAL Class 6A finals three years in a row. As a senior, Shields went 5-1 on the mound with a 0.96 ERA and 63 strikeouts in 35 innings. He batted .383.
Shields was named the state’s Gatorade baseball player of the year in June.
Congrats David!! https://t.co/wY8bGdu6QK
— MtLebanon Sports (@MtLebanonSports) July 22, 2024
Chris Harlan is a TribLive reporter covering sports. He joined the Trib in 2009 after seven years as a reporter at the Beaver County Times. He can be reached at charlan@triblive.com.
Tags: Mt. lebanon
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