New Jersey native Anthony Solomento signs with the Pirates

Blackwood’s own signs over-slot deal with Pittsburgh. 

Last weekend there were a lot of people around the Bishop Eustace Prep School baseball program and Blackwood area watching the 2021 MLB Draft. Pitcher Anthony Solomento had a chance to be a first-round pick.

Solomento, a left-handed pitcher, didn’t go in the first round. But he did hear his name called by the Pittsburgh Pirates early in the second.

Chills @Pirates pic.twitter.com/nomjiCVSUV

— Anthony Solometo (@King_S0L32) July 13, 2021

These are the moments young baseball players (and, frankly, their parents) dream about. Congrats to Anthony for being a second-round pick.

On Tuesday morning, reports are that Solomento — who was a North Carolina recruit — will skip college and turn pro.

2nd-rder Anthony Solometo signs w/Pirates for $2.8 million (pick 37 value = $1,999,300). New Jersey HS product, some clubs thought best LHP in @MLBDraft. Low-90s fastball w/projection remaining, flashes true slider, feel for changeup, advanced for prep arm. North Carolina recruit

— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) July 20, 2021

Solomento is listed at 6-6 and 220 pounds and was considered a possibility for the New York Yankees in the back-half of the first round. He was the Pirates’ second pick of the 2021 MLB Draft; they selected Louisville catcher Henry Davis first overall.