2014 MLB Draft: EF Alum Dan Altavilla Drafted by Seatttle on Day 2

By: HSSN Staff
Friday, June 6, 2014 | 4:23 PM

It wasn’t a lefty but a right handed pitcher that was the first Western Pennsylvania player selected in the Major League Baseball Draft on Friday.

Mercyhurst College Junior Dan Altavilla was taken with the 141st overall pick in the fifth round by the Seattle Mariners. The Elizabeth Forward product has moved up the boards in the last few weeks, sporting a fastball in the mid 90’s and good movement as the top starter for the Lakers this season.

With a 9-1 record, five shutouts and a 1.23 ERA in 12 starts this season, plus a school record 121 strikeouts, Altavilla picked up numerous post season awards, including the Brett Tomko Award, the ABCA/Rawlings Division II and the Daktronics/Ron Lenz Division II Pitcher of the Year honors. He tossed a no-hitter on March 21 against Clarion and fanned 19 batters against West Chester in the first round of the PSAC tournament, breaking a 99 year old league record for strikeouts in a game.

Altavilla was named the WPIAL Player of the Year at Elizabeth Forward, striking out 119 batters in 84 innings, incluidng a two-hitter against Hampton in the 2011 WPIAL AAA Championship Game. He finished that season with an 11-1 record and a 0.57 ERA.

Some scouting services are projecting Altavilla as a reliever because of his command of all three pitches and his height (5-11).

Tags: Elizabeth Forward