The Indians have signed one of their two first-round picks from the MLB Draft as pitcher Justus Sheffield has joined the organization.
Sheffield was selected as the 31st overall pick in the June 6 draft. The selection was compensation for Baltimore signing Ubaldo Jimenez in free agency.
The 18-year old left-hander recently completed his senior season at Tullahoma (Tenn.) High School, going 10-0 with a 0.34 ERA (three earned runs in 61 2/3 innings pitched) and 131 strikeouts. He also was named the Gatorade National Player of the Year after leading the Wildcats team to a third straight district championship and a second-round appearance in the Tennessee state playoffs. Past pitching recipients of the award include Zack Greinke ('02), Clayton Kershaw ('06) and Rick Porcello ('07).
Clint Frazier, who was drafted by the Indians with the fifth-overall pick, was the Gatorade winner last year.
"We've got an athletic left-hander with a real good combination of pitches. A fastball up to 95, a power slider, a feel for a changeup," said Indians Director of Amateur Scouting Brad Grant when Sheffield was drafted.
