Penn Charter’s Sammy Siani ‘speechless’ after being drafted by Pittsburgh Pirates

Penn Charter centerfielder Sammy Siani was watching the MLB first-year player draft with his family Monday evening when he saw he was selected as the 37th overall pick, a competitive balance selection after the first round by the Pittsburgh Pirates.

At first, there was little he could say.

“I was speechless to be honest,” Siani said in a phone interview early Tuesday. “It was such a surreal moment and I am so excited and so grateful.”

Siani, who bats and throws left-handed, was the highest Philadelphia-area prospect selected this year.

Entering the draft he was the 43rd ranked player by MLB.com, so he was drafted higher than his rating.

“I was surprised by that as well,” Siani said. “I am so excited and it is a really cool moment.”

The recommended slot bonus for the 37th pick is $2 million, according to MLB.com.

What’s interesting is that Siani’s brother Mike signed an above slot bonus of $2 million last year after being drafted in the fourth round by the Cincinnati Reds.

The 6-foot, 175-pound Siani hit .457 with six home runs and 25 RBIs for the Quakers this past season. He has committed to Duke.

Penn Charter coach Justin Hanley says the Pirates were familiar with Siani.

“They were out a lot,” he said by phone. “They always scout the area well. They got to see him a lot last year and it is amazing.”

On Monday, a total of 78 players were taken in the first two rounds along with compensation and competitive balance selections.

“I was a little nervous going in and pretty confident somebody would pick me and it was good,” Siani said. “Everything worked out right and it was a great moment."