La Cueva High School alumni Jack Pineda was drafted in the 12th round by the Kansas City Royals earlier this week.
The former Bear played shortstop for LCHS, where he graduated from in 2018. Pineda was drafted out of Baylor University and had committed to transferring to LSU next season but will likely sign with the Royals instead.
Jack
— Baylor Baseball (@BaylorBaseball) July 19, 2022KC #SicEm | @1jackpineda pic.twitter.com/VMyWqtn4be
Leah Vann, LSU baseball and football beat writer for The Advocate, wrote in a tweet, “Per source I can confirm that Pineda is signing with the Royals.” An LSU Wire article says other universities had backed off from transferring Pineda because of his intention to sign with a pro team.
According to a Royals press release, Pineda hit .300 with 56 runs, 27 extra-base hits, and 35 RBI at Baylor this year, playing all 54 games at shortstop. After graduating from La Cueva, Pineda played baseball at the College of Southern Nevada, where he hit .350 as a freshman and .369 as a sophomore.
