| Pick |
Player |
School |
Pos |
B/T |
Ht |
Wt |
DOB |
Class |
| 1 |
Cole, Gerrit |
University of California - Los Angeles |
RHP |
R/R |
6'04" |
220 |
9/8/1990 |
JR |
As was rumored for the last few weeks heading into the draft, the Pirates selected Gerrit Cole with the first overall pick in 2011. He was not the number one talent on my board; in fact, he fell all the way down to 4th. The rationale is fairly simple. I am worried about his lack of command and the fact that he virtually shelved his change-up mid-season. His raw stuff is fantastic: the fastball is huge and has good arm side run while the slider is sharp with good late two-plane break. Both have the potential to be swing and miss offerings. In the couple of starts that I saw of Cole, he never showed me that plus change-up. That's not to say it isn't in there, merely that I haven't seen it to comment.
On a pure stuff basis, the potential is there for Cole to turn into an impact starting pitcher. His ceiling trumps that of even Dylan Bundy. To unlock that talent, the Pirates will need to find a way for him to command his fastball. He spent much of the season grooving fastballs belt high down the middle of plate. It's no wonder that college hitters were able to touch him. There's work to be done here. It wouldn't have been my selection, but I cannot fault the Pirates opting for the pure ceiling that Cole offers. |
| 61 |
Bell, Josh |
Jesuit College Prep (TX) |
RF |
S/R |
6'04" |
195 |
8/14/1992 |
HS |
| With their 2nd selection, the Pirates stayed aggressive, opting for a mid-first round talent that has repeatedly maintained that he plans to attend the University of Texas. Josh Bell is a switch hitting corner outfielder with the potential to hit for average and power. He has work to do defensively but should be athletic enough to play a solid corner outfield. The Pirates system could use a bat with that kind of potential, but the early rumblings have only put his signability in further doubt. I said a few weeks ago that it was a different situation from Austin Wilson in 2010; however I'm starting to change my mind on that. The Pirates getting him to forgo Texas looks like a long shot.
|
| 91 |
Dickerson, Alex |
University of Indiana |
1B |
L/L |
6'03" |
235 |
5/26/1990 |
JR |
| Alex Dickerson provides good raw power and little defensive value. The question is whether enough of that power is usable to profile as regular. He played LF at Indiana, but I doubt he sees much time at any position other than first base as a professional. Others are higher on Dickerson than I am, and I certainly admit that this is a good value pick. I personally would have rather had Vanderbilt first baseman Aaron Westlake at this spot. He shouldn't be difficult to sign. |
| 122 |
Brewer, Colten |
Canton HS (TX) |
RHP |
R/R |
6'04" |
200 |
10/29/1992 |
HS |
| If you know anything about the Pirates recent draft history, you knew that this was coming. With their fourth pick, Greg Smith (Scouting Director) took a projectable right hander and he leaned in that direction for the rest of the draft. Brewer's best attributes are his projection and a sinker that can reach the low 90s. Committed to Weatherford JC (TX), he shouldn't be a difficult sign. |
| 152 |
Glasnow, Tyler |
Hart HS (CA) |
RHP |
L/R |
6'07" |
200 |
8/23/1993 |
HS |
| Glasnow is another projectable right handed pitcher for the Pirates to add to their arsenal. Unlike Brewer, he currently has an offspeed pitch, a curve ball, that shows potential.
|
| 182 |
Gamache, Daniel |
Auburn University |
3B |
L/R |
5'11" |
195 |
11/20/1990 |
JR |
| After the run of high ceiling talent, the Pirates used their 6th round pick to grab a solid college performer. He had a fine 2011 season but it was ended early by an injury to his hand. He'll take a pretty good glove with him to third base. He has already signed. |
| 212 |
Burnette, Jake |
Buford HS (GA) |
RHP |
R/R |
6'04" |
177 |
8/10/1992 |
HS |
| After that short reprieve, the Pirates got back on the horse, opting for another projectable RHP. Burnette is tall and lean with a sound delivery. A former basketball player, focusing primarily on baseball could result in rapid development. I like this pick a lot if they can sign him away from Georgia Tech. |
| 242 |
Creasy, Jason |
Clayton HS (NC) |
RHP |
R/R |
6'04" |
180 |
5/13/1992 |
HS |
| [Notorious BIG voice]And another one[/Notorious BIG voice]. I don't have much on Creasy other than that he's projectable and committed to NC State. |
| 272 |
Holmes, Clay |
Slocomb HS (AL) |
RHP |
R/R |
6'05" |
230 |
3/27/1993 |
HS |
| Clay Holmes is not going to be easy to sign away from Auburn. He's reportedly an excellent student, and Auburn has had a history of holding their recruits. He's not overly refined, but the present strength, the ideal body, a low 90s fastball with good sink and a breaking ball that flashes plus (even if it is very inconsistent) gives one plenty to dream on. It won't be cheap but don't rule this one out just yet. |
| 302 |
Lewis, Taylor |
University of Maine Orono |
CF |
L/L |
6'01" |
205 |
12/18/1989 |
JR |
| After the big splash with Holmes, the Pirates turned towards a solid senior sign in Taylor Lewis of Maine. He is still on the raw side but with good athleticism and potential for gap power. He is already inked and playing for State College. |
| 332 |
Bennett-Lowe, Jo-El |
Houston Academy (AL) |
CF |
R/R |
6'02" |
180 |
9/9/1992 |
HS |
| Jo-El Bennett brings bat speed, good speed and a projectable body to the table. Whether he will be able to stick in center field is a question mark. If not, his strong arm will play well in right field. |
| 362 |
Myles, Candon |
South Grand Prairie HS (TX) |
CF |
L/R |
5'10" |
185 |
10/24/1992 |
HS |
| 392 |
Platts, Brandon |
Mason City HS (IA) |
RHP |
R/R |
6'04" |
210 |
2/1/1993 |
HS |
| 422 |
Dunatov, Jordan |
Horizon HS (AZ) |
OF |
R/R |
6'05" |
200 |
10/20/1992 |
HS |
| A back injury limited Dunatov's spring. His best attributes are his athleticism and projectable body. There's a good chance he ends up at Oregon State next year. |
| 452 |
Watts, Kody |
Skyview HS (WA) |
RHP |
R/R |
6'03" |
185 |
12/29/1992 |
HS |
| Watts slid to the 15th round thanks to a strong commitment to the University of Portland. He offers a 4 pitch mix (fastball, curve ball, slider & splitter) and a projectable body. With some ability to command his stuff, Watts has plenty of upside and could emerge as a big time draft prospect if things break right. |
| 482 |
Skoglund, Eric |
Sarasota HS (FL) |
LHP |
L/L |
6'06" |
180 |
10/26/1992 |
HS |
| Ah ha! This time we have a projectable LHP! Skoglund has a fast arm that produced a fastball that can touch the low 90s. He employs a high leg lift in his delivery and, while there is a bit of violence in the way his pivot leg whips around, his arm action doesn't raise any flags. He is strongly committed to the University of Central Florida. |
| 512 |
Brown, Aaron |
Chatsworth HS (CA) |
RF |
L/L |
6'02" |
200 |
6/20/1992 |
HS |
| Aaron Brown is another strongly committed prep prospect as a potential two-way player for Pepperdine. He is strong and athletic with a chance to hit for average and power even if he has some work to do to get there. His strong arm (which will work well on the mound should he go to college) makes him a good fit for right field. |
| 542 |
Poytress, Josh |
Fresno State University |
LHP |
R/L |
6'02" |
185 |
7/20/1990 |
JR |
| 572 |
Nunez, Mike |
Salmen HS (LA) |
RHP |
R/R |
6'04" |
185 |
7/28/1992 |
HS |
| Nunez is a projectable RHP who shows a good feel for spinning a curve ball. He's committed to Southern Miss. |
| 602 |
Turner, Trea |
Park Vista Community HS (FL) |
SS |
R/R |
6'02" |
160 |
6/30/1993 |
HS |
| 632 |
Fuselier, Alex |
University of Louisiana - Lafayette |
CF |
L/L |
6'00" |
185 |
9/13/1989 |
JR |
| 662 |
Jefferson, Michael |
Louisiana Tech University |
LHP |
L/L |
6'05" |
190 |
7/31/1989 |
SR |
| 692 |
Cooper, Jordan |
University of Kentucky |
RHP |
S/R |
6'03" |
215 |
2/16/1990 |
SO |
| The Pirates drafted Jordan Cooper out of high school in 2009. He was expected to bloom at Kentucky but has been extremely inconsistent. The Pirates obviously must still like him and I'm surprised that he signed so quickly (being a draft eligible sophomore). If he can gain consistency of his sinker and slider, he could be a steal this late. |
| 722 |
Sharp, Brian |
California Baptist University |
SS |
R/R |
6'00" |
195 |
7/30/1988 |
JR |
| 752 |
Martin, Josh |
Samford University |
RHP |
R/R |
6'04" |
205 |
12/30/1989 |
JR |
| 782 |
Flair, Nicholas |
Belle Chasse HS (LA) |
SS |
R/R |
6'03" |
180 |
10/31/1992 |
HS |
| 812 |
Hornback, Ryan |
San Jacinto College North |
C |
R/R |
6'01" |
180 |
7/19/1991 |
J2 |
| 842 |
Zajac, Jeffrey |
Walker Valley HS (TN) |
LHP |
L/L |
6'04" |
210 |
11/19/1992 |
HS |
| 872 |
Singer, Kirk |
California State University, Long Beach |
SS |
R/R |
6'02" |
170 |
12/1/1989 |
JR |
| 902 |
Benedict, Matthew |
Western Carolina University |
RHP |
R/R |
6'05" |
200 |
2/3/1989 |
SR |
| 932 |
Trent, Derek |
East Tennessee State University |
C |
L/R |
6'01" |
210 |
11/6/1988 |
SR |
| 962 |
Jagoditsh, David |
Pima CC |
RHP |
S/R |
6'07" |
230 |
9/4/1990 |
J2 |
| 992 |
Lashmet, Christopher |
Northwestern University |
3B |
R/R |
6'04" |
230 |
4/25/1989 |
SR |
| 1022 |
Rosado, Juan |
Louisiana State University - Eunice |
1B |
R/R |
6'00" |
210 |
5/31/1992 |
J1 |
| 1052 |
Mathews, Reid |
Dobyns Bennett HS (TN) |
2B |
R/R |
6'00" |
175 |
9/11/1992 |
HS |
| 1082 |
Ballou, Isaac |
Marshall University |
CF |
L/R |
6'03" |
185 |
3/17/1990 |
SO |
| Ballou is raw for a college player. He had some buzz coming into the year thanks to his athleticism and plus speed. |
| 1112 |
Jones, Rodarrick |
Southern University |
LF |
R/R |
6'00" |
195 |
7/31/1990 |
JR |
| 1142 |
Crumlich, Douglas |
University of California - Irvine |
SS |
R/R |
6'00" |
190 |
4/23/1990 |
JR |
| 1172 |
Ravnaas, Rand |
Georgetown University |
LF |
L/R |
6'02" |
195 |
8/31/1989 |
JR |
| 1202 |
Rhymes, Raphael |
Louisiana State University |
2B |
R/R |
6'00" |
190 |
10/22/1989 |
SO |
| 1232 |
Schwind, Jonathan |
Marist College |
C |
R/R |
6'00" |
185 |
5/30/1990 |
JR |
| 1262 |
Hibbing, Nicholas |
Lakes Community HS (IL) |
RHP |
R/R |
6'05" |
185 |
8/15/1992 |
HS |
| 1292 |
Argo, William |
University of Illinois |
CF |
R/R |
6'01" |
220 |
10/15/1989 |
JR |
| Willie Argo is another athletic college outfielder. He has the range to stick in center field thanks to plus speed. There is some raw power potential should he ever make enough contact to utilize it in game. |
| 1322 |
LeCount, Bobby |
Edmonds CC |
3B |
R/R |
6'02" |
215 |
1/18/1991 |
J2 |
| 1352 |
Ingram, Robert |
Yavapai College |
LHP |
L/L |
6'05" |
190 |
10/18/1991 |
J1 |
| 1382 |
Schalk, Jeff |
Wheaton North HS (IL) |
RF |
L/R |
6'03" |
205 |
7/19/1992 |
HS |
| 1412 |
Deluca, Jordan |
Tussey Mountain HS (PA) |
CF |
R/R |
6'01" |
170 |
9/12/1992 |
HS |
| 1442 |
Thompson, Zachary |
Grace Prep Academy (TX) |
RHP |
R/R |
6'06" |
185 |
10/23/1993 |
HS |
| 1472 |
White, Austin |
Arkansas HS (AR) |
3B |
L/R |
6'03" |
185 |
7/13/1993 |
HS |
| 1502 |
Lemond, Zechariah |
Waltrip HS (TX) |
RHP |
R/R |
6'01" |
170 |
10/9/1992 |
HS |
|
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