PITTSBURGH (AP) -- The Pittsburgh Pirates top pick in last week's draft is ready to get to work.
The team announced Monday it has signed former Arizona shortstop Kevin Newman to a contract. The Pirates selected Newman with the 19th overall pick in the first-year player draft. Newman will begin his professional career next week with the West Virginia Black Bears of the New York-Penn League.
The 21-year-old Newman was a first-team Pac-12 selection this spring after hitting .370 with 19 doubles, two home runs and 22 stolen bases for the Wildcats.
Pittsburgh general manager Neal Huntington says the team is planning for Newman to stay at shortstop for now.