Bucs Sign Fourth And Eighth Round Picks
Zack Dodson
Zack Dodson

Posted Aug 7, 2009


The Pittsburgh Pirates today signed left-handed pitcher Zack Dodson, the club’s fourth-round selection in the 2009 First-Year Player Draft, and left-handed pitcher Colton Cain, the club’s eighth-round selection.

Dodson went 10-0 with two saves, three complete games, a 1.20 ERA (64.1ip/11er), 129 strikeouts and 36 walks in 16 games (10 starts) as a senior this past season for Medina Valley (TX) High School. Dodson also hit .46 with 11 home runs while playing the outfield. As a junior in 2008, Dodson went 13-0 with a 0. 9 ERA and 149 strikeouts in 83.1 innings, including tossing a no-hitter for Medina Valley. Dodson also hit .400 with seven home runs and 2 RBI.

“Zack is a projectable left-handed starter with a quality mix of athleticism, pitch arsenal and feel to pitch,” said Pirates Senior Vice President and General Manager Neal Huntington. “We are pleased to get Zack into our system and to help him accomplish his professional goals.”

Cain posted a 6-2 record, 2.17 ERA and 118 strikeouts in 10 games as a senior this season for Waxahachie (TX) High School. He was ranked 109th among the top 200 prospects by Baseball Americaprior to the draft.

During his junior year in high school, Cain compiled a 12-1 record, 0.76 ERA and 131 strikeouts in 81 innings. Cain pitched for the 2008 USA Baseball 18U National Team, earning a Silver Medal at the IBAF World AAA Junior Championships in Edmonton, Canada. He won his two starts for Team USA in 2008 with victories over Chinese Taipei and Korea. He also pitched for the 2007 USA Baseball Youth National Team, earning a gold medal at the World Youth Championships in Barquisimeto, Venezuela.

“Colton is a large-framed, strong-bodied left-handed starter with the potential for three quality major league pitches,” said Huntington. “He commands a Major League caliber fastball well for a high school aged pitcher. He has the makings of a solid combination of pitch repertoire and pitch-ability. We are looking forward to Colton making his professional debut and helping him fulfill his vast potential.”

The Pirates have now signed 20 of their 1 selections from this year’s draft.


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