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Seattle Mariners Select Kalispell’s Joe Pistorese in MLB Draft

Flathead High School graduate selected in 17th round

By Dillon Tabish

The Seattle Mariners selected Kalispell’s Joe Pistorese in the 17th round of the MLB Draft on Wednesday.

Pistorese, a 2011 Flathead High School graduate, finished his senior season at Washington State University with an 8-5 record and 2.41 ERA while starting all 15 games he pitched. The 6-foot-2 lefty had 67 strikeouts in 104 innings and four complete games. He was named first-team All-Pac 12 after the season and twice was named Pac-12 Pitcher of the Week.

The former Kalispell Laker ended his career at WSU as the all-time leader in innings pitched (369) and tied for most career starts (55).

Pistorese was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 44th round in 2011 but honored his commitment to WSU.

The Mariners selected the 22-year-old with the 515th pick of this year’s draft.

Pistorese earned the distinction of being drafted higher than any other player from the Flathead Valley. The Chicago White Sox took Columbia Falls’ Josh Fields in the 23rd round of the 2001 MLB draft. The New York Mets selected Kalispell’s Richard Eckleberry in the 23rd round of the 1978 draft. Columbia Falls’ Chuck Higson was taken by the New York Mets in the 28th round of the 1982 draft. Kalispell’s Dan Siblerud was taken by the Philadelphia Phillies in the 31st round of the 1983 draft. Also, Libby’s Mitch Fahland went in the 23rd round of the 1970 draft. He was selected by the Chicago Cubs.

The Seattle Mariners franchise has minor league affiliates in Tacoma, Washington (AAA), Jackson, Tennessee (AA), Bakersfield, California (Advanced A), Clinton, Iowa (A) and Everett, Washington (Short-Season A).

Andrew Sopko, a 6-foot-2 right-handed pitcher from Missoula, was selected in the seventh round of the draft on Tuesday.