UPDATE: Maher Signs with Yankees

UPDATE: According to published reports, the New York Yankees have agreed to contract terms with former Bedford High School Pitcher Joe Maher. Most recently, Maher helped lead his Bedford team to the American Legion World Series.

The fall prior to his sophomore season, Joey Maher threw a pitch that registered 87 miles per hour on the radar gun.

He realized at that point he had a gift, and with his father's help, focused on his pitching ability from that point forward.

The New York Yankees may very well reap the benefits of that decision.

In early June, the hated rival of Maher's hometown favorite Boston Red Sox took the right-handed hurler with the 28th pick in the 38th round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft.

Though Maher is committed to attending and playing baseball at Northeastern University in Boston, he said that decision may change pending a potential contract with the Yankees, who now own his professional rights.

Either way, Maher said he's prepared for the pressure and expectations both scenarios carry. He has, after all, been scouted almost every game he's pitched since the start of his high school junior season.

"I didn't really let it get to me," he said. "I try not to show my emotions on the mound, but I definitely would get a little more upset with myself if I didn't pitch particularly well."

In addition to maintaining a fastball that tops off in the mid-90s and achieving first-team all-state honors as a junior and senior, Maher has excelled at the plate.

As a senior, he produced a .442 batting average while playing first base, third base and designated hitter on his non-pitching days.

He also garnered the Sportsmanship Award at Bedford High School's spring athletics award banquet.

"As a player, his ability speaks for itself, but he was not only a dominant pitcher, but he was also one of the main catalysts to the team's success," said his BHS head coach Craig Blahnik. "He keeps the guys going and positive, and he'd be the one getting teammates to cheer and help keep rallies going.

"He's the type of player who never gets down on himself and never gets down on the team," the skipper continued. "His attitude is always uplifting."

Blahnik said Maher made huge strides between his sophomore and junior seasons and expects the star to make a similar leap as he transitions to the next level.

"He's got a lot of great pitches now, and obviously he can throw hard, but he's going to get a lot better," he said. "At the high school level, a player of his caliber doesn't really receive the training he needs. Whether it be at Northeastern or in the (Yankees) farm system, he's going to get that extra attention, and because he's willing to listen and improve, he's going to realize a lot of potential we haven't even seen yet."