Connors State College catcher Peter Bako was selected in the 15th round of the Major League Baseball draft Wednesday.
The Pirates made Bako, a catcher who will be a sophomore next year, the fourth pick of the round and 445th overall selection.
Keith said he obviously would like to have Bako back on the squad next season, but it would depend if he signs with the Pirates.
“I don’t know if he’ll sign or not,” Connors coach Perry Keith said. “He’s got plenty of leverage. He’s got another year here. On top of that, he’s a really, really good student.”
Bako, who is from Mississauga, Ontario, hit .390 with 11 homers and 18 doubles for Connors this past season.
“He’s an awfully good player and only going to get stronger,” Keith said. “It’s good for him.”
Keith has had 97 players drafted in his 25 years at Connors. In fact, he was watching one of his former players, George Kottaras, handle catching duties for Boston on Wednesday night against New York.
Kottaras, who was a 20th-round selection by San Diego in 2002, finished 2-for-4 with an RBI in the Red Sox’s 6-5 win over the Yankees.
Kottaras’ brother, James, was a freshman on Connors’ team this season.
