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COURTESY MLB
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Left-hander Blake Taylor of Dana Hills (Calif.) High became the first University of Hawaii recruit selected in the 2013 Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft when the Pittsburgh Pirates took him in the second round on Thursday.
Taylor, who is listed at 6 feet 3 and switched his commitment from San Diego State to Hawaii last summer, was taken with the 51st overall pick.
The assigned value given to the pick is listed at $1,065,400.
Taylor, one of eight UH recruits who sent in letters of intent during the early signing period, is expected to sign with the Pirates.
Draftees have until 11 a.m. on July 12 to decide.
"When you’re drafted so high and the slot value is over a million dollars you tip your hat and say congratulations," said Hawaii coach Mike Trapasso, who is on the mainland recruiting. "Everyone we talked to said he would go in the second round, so this wasn’t a surprise."
The draft will continue this morning at 6:30 with rounds 3-10. Rounds 11-40 will be held Saturday, beginning at 7 a.m.
Notable players who could get drafted include UH signees Jake Bauers, Kean Wong, Marcus Doi and Iolana Akau.
South Hills (Calif.) High prospect David Denson, who committed to UH last year but hasn’t signed a letter of intent, is still expected to attend UH if he doesn’t go pro.
