David Shields made a verbal commitment to the University of Miami before he ever played a game as a freshman at Mt. Lebanon High School, and he will make an official visit to Miami this fall.
But it’s become highly questionable if Shields will ever wear a Miami uniform.
The reason Shields might not end up at Miami is the 2024 Major League Baseball draft. Shields is in only his third year at Mt. Lebanon High School, but he reclassified in order to graduate in 2024. He is taking extra academic courses to make that happen and also make himself available for the 2024 MLB draft.
And with the summer that Shields had in baseball, he has dramatically improved his stock and could be an early-round selection in the draft.
Shields, a 6-foot-3, 210-pound left-handed pitcher and outfielder, played in several national showcases and events, including Under Armour’s Baseball Factory All-American Game at Globe Life Stadium, home of the Texas Rangers. He also made it to the final cuts for the USA Baseball 18U World Cup team. The Prep Baseball Report recently released rankings for the class of 2024 high school players and also put Shields No. 15 in the country and the No. 1 left-handed pitcher.
When asked if his stock rose this summer, Shields said, “Without a doubt, even more than we expected. I kind of expected for me to go in and just kind of get my name in the mix of things. After the first couple events, I went straight up some ranking lists. Things are looking really good right now.”
The Prospect Development Pipeline League event was held in Cary, N.C., in early July and included the top 100 high school players eligible for the draft. A report on MLB.com named Shields one of the top 10 standouts at the event.
When asked whether he thought he would end up at Miami or sign with a major-league team after the draft, Shields said, “Whatever happens, happens. I’m willing to go to school if that’s how it works out. I’m not saying I wouldn’t go to college, but things are looking pretty good right now. We’ll just have to wait and see.”
Shields’ fastball reached the low 90s at some summer events, which is pretty good for a young left-hander whose velocity should only increase over time. Shields pitched a no-hitter this past season in the WPIAL Class 6A championship against North Allegheny. Shields also was Mt. Lebanon’s starting quarterback last year as a sophomore but gave up football to concentrate on baseball.
“Without a doubt, I miss football. I’m hurting not playing it. I don’t even know if I can stand going to a game,” Shields said. “But giving up football is something I definitely think was smart. What if I would go in there and break something or tear something?”
Wetherholt No. 1?
While Shields might be an early-round pick in next year’s MLB draft, could a former WPIAL player really go No. 1 overall?
Jonathan Mayo, prospect evaluator for MLB.com, recently did a mock draft for 2024 and had West Virginia second baseman J.J. Wetherholt as the first overall pick. Wetherholt is a former standout at Mars High School.
Wetherholt was the Big 12 Conference Player of the Year this past season, led the country in batting average at .449, and hit 16 home runs. He was one of five finalists for the Dick Howser Trophy, which goes to the top player in college baseball.
The highest draft pick ever from the WPIAL – out of high school or college – was Brendan McKay, who went No. 4 in 2017. McKay starred at Blackhawk High School and was drafted out of the University of Louisville.
Valentine settles on Link Academy
It’s now certain. Steel Valley basketball star Makhai Valentine will attend Link Academy in Branson, Mo., for a post-graduate year.
Valentine, a guard who averaged 36 points a game and made all-state this past season, had decided in June to attend Link, which has high school and post-grad teams. Valentine was up in the air during the summer about his future after Toledo and Northern Illinois offered scholarships. But Valentine recently decided he would definitely go to Link.
One of the reasons he chose Link was because he still had to finish up some academic work this summer at Steel Valley.
“The Toledo offer is still there, but I’m taking a prep year to get better,” Valentine said. “I want to get better and stronger, so when this time comes around next year, I’ll be ready to hit the next level.”
Valentine leaves Saturday for Link.
Mike White: mwhite@post-gazette.com and Twitter @mwhiteburgh
First Published: August 31, 2023, 3:34 p.m.
