When MLB teams enter day three of the draft, they look for the under-the-radar selections. Some become all-time steals and that is exactly why the Pittsburgh Pirates selected RHP Matt McShane with their 13th-round selection. 

Matt McShane was born November 17, 2002, in Bensalem, PA just outside of Philadelphia. He first picked up a baseball after telling his dad he wanted to pitch and has never looked back since that day. 

Though not heavily recruited out of high school, one local university expressed an offer. Though his only offer, St. Joseph’s University ended up being an amazing fit for the pitcher, and McShane could not be more grateful the school took a chance on him. 

The coaching staff immediately believed in him and McShane saw 20 appearances during his freshman year going 6-0 and striking out 51 batters in 45 innings as well as earning two saves-all these accolades along with a 2.45ERA earned McShane Atlantic 10 All Rookie Honors. 

2023 saw McShane go 3-0 in 13 appearances as well as earning two saves and helping SJU earn their first-ever A10 Regular Season Championship, McShane’s favorite college memory. 

After the SJU season concluded, Matt took his talents to the Cape Cod Summer League where he realized his potential after an amazing summer season. McShane had 25 strikeouts in 19 innings, along with a save and 1.39ERA helping him a bid to the league’s all-star game. “Coming from a small school it showed that I could compete with anyone,” McShane stated. 

2024 saw many eyes on the up-and-coming star and he handled the pressure well having a career-high in strikeouts (57) in his 43 innings of work in just 20 games. He tied for the second most appearances by a pitcher on his squad as well as in ERA (3.95) and saves (2). McShane earned Atlantic 10 Commissioner’s and SJU Athletic Director’s Honor Rolls for his work on the field and in the classroom for the second straight season. 

On July 16, 2024, McShane’s dream of being a professional baseball player came true surrounded by his friends and family. Though he will miss being at SJU and being around his teammates, he’s excited for the next chapter ahead with the Pirates and being able to stay in the state where he’s played his whole life. “I want to be able to say that I gave it my all and had a positive impact on the game.”