BROOKLYN, N.Y. - The Pittsburgh Pirates selected LIU Brooklyn pitcher Justin Topa in the 17th round of the 2013 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft on Saturday. Topa, who was drafted last season in the 33rd round by the Cincinnati Reds, is the 37th player to be chosen in the MLB Draft in LIU Brooklyn history.
"I'm extremely excited and fortunate for the opportunity to continue my baseball career with the Pirates," Topa said. "This is an exciting time and I am glad that I could spend it with my family and friends."
"I want to thank everyone at LIU, especially Coach Maines, Coach Noto, Coach Marsh, Coach Hernandez, Coach Walsh and my teammates," Topa continued. "They all have helped me grow as a person and player, and I am forever grateful for that. I can't wait to start this new chapter in my life and pitch in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization."
Topa led the Blackbirds to their first NEC Tournament victory since 2000 with a dominant performance over eventual champion Bryant. The 6-4 righthander allowed just five hits and one earned run over nine full innings to record the complete-game win. Topa was named to the NEC All-Tournament Team.
With the triumph, Topa moved into a tie for first place on LIU's all-time wins list with 20 (Don Balsamo, 1966-68). The Binghamton, N.Y. product finished the season with 100.0 innings pitched, the second-most in a single season in school history behind All-American Sal Campisi's mark of 101.2 set in 1964.
"I am absolutely thrilled and proud of Justin and all the hard work he has put into his game," head coach Don Maines said. "I have no doubt he will be just as successful in pro ball as he was here at LIU."
For his career, Topa totalled the third-most innings pitched of any player in LIU history (238.0), the fourth-most complete games (13) and the seventh-most strikeouts (200).
"I am extremely happy for Justin," pitching coach Craig Noto said. "This is a great day for him, his family and our program. Justin represented LIU Brooklyn at a very high level both on and off the field for four years and we couldn't be any happier for him."
"The Pittsburgh Pirates are getting a talented young man with impeccable character and work ethic," Noto concluded. "I wish Justin the best in his professional career."
Topa joins former teammate Tyler Jones and 2009 MLB Draftee James Jones as Blackbirds in the professional ranks. Tyler Jones is still awaiting the start of his season with the Pulaski Mariners, the Advanced Rookie League affiliate of the Seattle Mariners.
James Jones has ascended to the Double-A ranks in the Mariners organization after going in the fourth round of the 2009 Draft. The two-time All-NEC First Team selection is currently hitting .270 with the Jackson Generals of the Southern League, leading the team in doubles (10), triples (5), RBIs (26) and stolen bases (14).