Quintana leads list of locals chosen on draft’s second day

It’s easy to see why Arbor View High School’s Zach Quintana has a future in professional baseball.

The senior right-hander consistently throws four pitches for strikes, including a 96 mph fastball, and was one of the state’s most prolific hitters.

But after being chosen by the Milwaukee Brewers in the third round of the Major League Baseball Draft on Tuesday, Quintana showed he takes nothing for granted.

“It’s a big privilege to be taken that high,” he said.

Quintana’s mix of top-tier talent and old-school work ethic made him a coveted prize among major league scouts, and the Brewers added him to their plans with the No. 122 overall pick.

Quintana said he plans to sign with Milwaukee as soon as possible, passing on a scholarship from San Diego State.

“I’m going to sign as soon as I can, get out there and start my career already,” said Quintana, the face of an Arbor View program that enjoyed its best season in 2012.

He went 9-2 with a 2.82 ERA and 79 strikeouts in 67 innings on his way to first-team all-state honors as Arbor View (32-6) reached the Sunset Region finals.

“I just showed (scouts) that I can pitch and be more than a hard thrower out there,” Quintana said.

Also a designated hitter, Quintana batted .445 with 13 home runs and 53 RBIs to be named Northwest League Player of the Year as a senior.

Quintana also has played shortstop in the past. But he cemented his draft stock as a pitcher his senior year, tossing complete games in victories over Bishop Gorman and Chatsworth (Calif.).

“It was just a pleasure watching the kid play every single day, watching him take batting practice to the way he could carry a team on his shoulders to wanting to compete on a daily basis,” Aggies coach Chris Martinez said. “Zach was one of those special kids. I’m going to miss the kid.”

Quintana wasn’t the only player with local ties chosen by Milwaukee.

The Brewers also picked Utah junior right-hander Tyler Wagner, a 2009 Gorman graduate, in the fourth round at No. 155 overall.

The Tampa Bay Rays continued their trend of stockpiling Southern Nevada talent when they chose Arizona junior center fielder and 2009 Gorman product Joey Rickard in the ninth round.

University of San Diego senior right-hander Paul Sewald, a 2008 Gorman graduate, went in the 10th round to the New York Mets.

UNLV’s incoming recruiting class took a possible hit when Silverado senior shortstop Michael Meyers went in the 12th round to the Boston Red Sox.

Meyers, a Rebels signee who earned first-team all-state honors in 2012, said he isn’t sure what he’ll decide by the July 13 pro signing deadline.

“I’m not sure yet. We’ll talk to the Red Sox (and) see if we can get a deal done,” Meyers said.

Meyers hit .454 with seven homers, 33 RBIs and 13 stolen bases as a senior.

“Either way, I can’t really go wrong,” Meyers said. “What’s going on at UNLV looks pretty promising to me.”

The draft will conclude Wednesday with rounds 16 to 40.