PITTSBURGH – From DuBois Central Catholic to the Pittsburgh Pirates organization.
Justin Miknis, a 2019 DCC graduate and Kent State standout was selected by the Pirates in the 16th round of the Major League Baseball Draft on Tuesday.
Miknis, a catcher who started all 58 games for Kent State this season, was a first team all Mid-American Conference selection in 2023 and was also a MAC All-Defensive Team selection (for the second year in a row). He hit .318 this season for the Golden Flashes (who went 42-16) with eight home runs, 15 doubles and 46 RBIs.
He was previously a 35th round selection by the Baltimore Orioles after his senior year at DCC in 2019 but chose to honor his commitment to Kent State.
Miknis was a career .439 hitter at DuBois Central Catholic (per MaxPreps) and helped lead the Cardinals to the 2018 District 9 Class 1A title.
Friday was the final day of the three-day, 20-round draft. The Pirates selected LSU pitcher Paul Skenes with the No. 1 overall pick on Sunday.
Miknis was one of two catchers selected by the Pirates, with John Lopez of the Puerto Rico Baseball Academy going one round before him in Round 15.
See the full list of 2023 Pirate draft picks here.
