ATLANTA, Ga. – With the 173rd overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft, the Pittsburgh Pirates have selected Fresno State right-handed pitcher and Valley native Jack Anker.
He becomes the 10th Diamond 'Dog to be drafted by the Pirates, joining Murf Gray, who the club selected as the 73rd overall pick.
Anker spent three seasons with the Diamond 'Dogs, working his way through the bullpen before becoming the Bulldogs' Friday night starter for the 2025 season. He was named All-Mountain West First Team and earned multiple national Pitcher of the Week honors after striking out 16 batters against San Diego State on the road.
In his three seasons on the mound for the Bulldogs, he pitched in 188.0 innings across 48 outings and 26 starts. He has a career record of 17-10 and an ERA of 5.41 for the Diamond 'Dogs. Anker collected 187 strikeouts and allowed only 37 walks as a Bulldog.
FRESNO STATE ATHLETES DRAFTED BY THE PITTSBURGH PIRATES:
1988 – Steve Buckholz, RHP, 5th round
2006 – Kent Sakamoto, 1B, 12th round
2008 – Tanner Scheppers, RHP, 2nd round
2008 – Justin Wilson, LHP, 5th round
2009 – Tanner Scheppers, RHP, 2nd round
2011 – Josh Poytress, LHP, 18th round
2012 – Thomas Harlan, LHP, 13th round
2014 – Jordan Luplow, OF, 3rd round
2017 – Jessee Medrano, INF, 31st round
2025 – Murf Gray, INF, Competitive Balance Round B
2025 – Jack Anker, RHP, 6th round