Carroll grad Shirk weighs in on being picked by Pirates

FORT WAYNE, Ind. (WANE) – Four years ago as a senior at Carroll High School, Jake Shirk topped out a 84 miles per hour on the mound. This past year as a senior at Wright State the righty registered 96 MPH on the radar gun – a good reason he was selected in the 18th round by the Pittsburgh Pirates earlier this week in the 2024 MLB Draft.

“I was a definitely a later bloomer,” Shirk told WANE-TV on Wednesday. “I was a good high school pitcher. Not having a senior year in high school baseball was tough (the 2020 season was cancelled due to COVID). I was really close with a lot of the guys out here. Not having that opportunity really did sting. But moving to Wright State, all the coaches and former players have helped me and all the knowledge they have, and really developed me as a player.”

Shirk will head to Pittsburgh later this week to sign his contract. He will likely then make his way to the Pirates training facility in Bradenton, Florida.

For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to WANE 15.