Redmond grad drafted by Baltimore in MLB Draft, but will return to play for Skagit Valley CC

Published 9:37 am Wednesday, June 13, 2012

Peter Irvin didn’t post eye-popping statistics as a freshman pitcher for Skagit Valley Community College this spring. But the Baltimore Orioles saw great potential in the 2011 Redmond High School graduate after taking the 6-foot-8, 190-pound left-handed pitcher in the 36th round of last week’s Major League Baseball Draft.

“When you look at him, he’s a specimen,” said Skagit baseball coach Ben Silva. “He looks like he should be in a Baltimore Oriole uniform right now.”

Irvin, who showed great improvement throughout his freshman year, does not plan to sign with the Orioles and will play for Skagit again next baseball season, according to Silva.

“He is still growing into that body,” Silva said. “He came a long ways. He just got better, better and better as the season went on.”

Irvin can touch 90 miles per hour on the radar gun, according to Silva, who added that Irvin has the potential to play at a four-year college and get drafted again.

“If things continue to develop, he will be one of the best arms in the history of this program,” Silva said.

Irvin’s father, Darrell, is a former NFL player for the Seattle Seahawks and Buffalo Bills.

Peter is the only player from Redmond to get drafted this year and is one of 18 Washington state players who were drafted last week. Athletes who play at a four-year university or college must be 21 or in their junior season to be eligible for the draft.