After selecting RHP Mark Appel with the eighth overall pick and OF Barrett Barnes at 45th, the Pirates were back at the draft with rounds two through 15. Here’s a recap of Tuesday’s selections.
Wyatt Mathisen (69th)
Catcher
Calallen HS, TX
6’1″ 205lbs
MLB.com says, “The University of Texas recruit mostly played shortstop and pitched for Calallen, but he has the build and the tools to be a good backstop. He has a strong arm and should be agile and athletic enough to be a good all-around defender. He has good raw power from the right side of the plate and he should hit for average as well as he develops.”
Jonathan Sandfort (103rd)
Right-Handed Pitcher
Winter Springs HS, FL
6’6″ 205lbs
Pirates Prospects says, “Sandfort was rated the 255th best prospect in the draft by Baseball America. He has a commitment to the University of Florida, so he probably won’t come cheap. He throws a mid-70s power curveball and has a feel for a changeup.”
Brandon Thomas (136th)
Outfielder
Georgia Tech, GA
6’3″ 202lbs
MLB.com says, “Thomas is a switch-hitter with the ability to shoot line drives to the gaps from both sides of the plate. He’s strong and athletic, with room to add some strength and power. Thomas runs well, particularly once he gets going and isn’t afraid to bunt to get on.”
Adrian Sampson (166th)
Right-Handed Pitcher
Bellevue CC, WA
6’2″ 200lbs
MLB.com says, “Sampson was sidelined after needing Tommy John surgery in his senior year of high school, so he went undrafted and took the junior college route… He can command his fastball, curve and changeup very well and combines above-average stuff with excellent pitchability.”
Eric Wood (196th)
Third Baseman
Blinn College, TX
6’2″ 195lbs
Pirates Prospects says, “Wood, a right-handed hitter, attended Blinn College and comes from the JuCo ranks. He didn’t rate on Baseball America’s top 500, making him the first guy who could really qualify as a signability pick. Wood hit for a .318/.425/.486 line in 173 at-bats this year for Blinn, with four homers.”
Jacob Stallings (226th)
Catcher
University of North Carolina, NC
6’5″ 220lbs
Pirates Prospects says, “He seems more like a defense first catcher, although he does have some power in his bat. As a college senior he won’t have a lot of leverage. He’ll probably be an easier sign, and will help improve the catching depth, with the upside a defensive backup.”
Kevin Ross (256th)
Shortstop
Niles West HS, IL
6’1″ 195lbs
Pirates Prospects says, “He profiles more as a third baseman in the pros. He’s got a quick bat and good strength, giving him raw power, with the potential for plus power in the future. He’s got an above-average arm, which should allow him to play third base. He is a bit aggressive at the plate, and can be pull happy.”
D.J. Crumlich (286th)
Shortstop
University of California – Irvine, CA
6″0″ 190lbs
Pirates Prospects says, “Crumlich was taken by the Pirates last year in the 38th round, but opted to return to Irvine for his senior year. He’s got good hands and a strong arm on defense, although the knock on him last year was that he lacked range. He also lacks power, which puts his future as more of a second baseman or a utility player.”
Pat Ludwig (316th)
Right-Handed Pitcher
Yale U, CT
6’1″ 185lbs
Pirates Prospects says, “According to his coach, he has great movement on his fastball, plus a very good change, a curveball, and an improving slider. He was seen as an innings eater for Yale, but it seems the Pirates will use him in a different role.”
Christopher Diaz (346th)
Shortstop
North Carolina State, NC
6’0″ 180lbs
Pirates Prospects says, “His build is stocky and he doesn’t have a lot of speed, so he may not stick at short, but BA describes him as a solid defensive player. If he can sustain his improved hitting, he could move up as a secondbaseman or utility player.”
Dalton Friend (376th)
Left-Handed Pitcher
Jefferson College, MO
6’3″ 230lbs
Pirates Prospects says, “He was reported to be throwing 95, but scouts only saw him throwing 89-91. He throws three other pitches, but will probably be a reliever and rely just on a fastball and curve. He has a Texas Tech commitment and may not be easy to sign unless the Pirates are able to free up some of their pool money to pay him more than the $100,000 slot bonus.”
Thomas Harlan (406th)
Left-Handed Pitcher
Fresno State, CA
6’6″ 215lbs
Pirates Prospects says, “Harlan had a 2.78 ERA in 106.2 innings this year, with an 85:16 K/BB ratio. Throws 89-91 MPH with life and a decent breaking ball.”
Walker Buehler (436th)
Right-Handed Pitcher
Henry Clay HS, KY
6’2″ 160lbs
Pirates Prospects says, “Buehler is the top draft prospect in Kentucky in an outstanding year for the state. Baseball America rated him the 50th best prospect in the draft. His fastball sits at 90-94 and he has an outstanding curve and good change. He has a commitment to Vanderbilt, but was thought to be signable if drafted in the first couple rounds… the Pirates won’t be able to sign him unless they can scrape together a lot of extra pool money from their picks in the first ten rounds.”
Jonathan Youngblood (466th)
Outfielder
Meridian CC, MS
6’2″ 160lbs
Pirates Prospects says, “Youngblood didn’t hit much in his first year of JC ball and showed no power, although he did walk a lot. Judging by the stolen base total, he’s very fast.”
Overall, it was not a bad day at the draft for the Bucs. They have to be careful with who they select due to their spending limits and need to sign Appel. They didn’t “punt” too many picks, but they did give themselves some breathing room with rounds six through ten. The Pirates again picked some right-handed pitchers, and stocked the system with a few catchers and shortstops. It will be interesting what they do tomorrow on the third and final day of the draft. Tomorrow will feature rounds 16 through 40, starting at noon.
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