Pittsburgh Pirates: Quick Look at 2016 Draft Picks

Minors: Last year, the Pittsburgh Pirates had what seemed to be a very solid draft. This goes for first round pick Will Craig, as well as many of the prep pitchers taken throughout the top 12 picks.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are a team that has to rely on having a strong farm system. The easiest way to do this is by drafting well. It has been a few months since the prospects have played. Many fans will be paying attention to see how these newest members perform in their first full season with the organization. Here is a quick look back at how they performed in their limited action with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2016. This will look at the Pittsburgh Pirates top 11 draft picks that signed.

First Round: Will Craig, 3B, WV Black Bears: .280 BA, 23 RBI, 2 home runs, .775 OPS

Second Round: Travis MacGregor, RHP, GCL: 1-1, 3.13 ERA, 19K/10BB (9 GS, 31.2 IP)

Third Round: Stephen Alemais, SS, Low-A & WV Black Bears: .189 BA, 2 RBI, .514 OPS, 11 Games; .263 BA, 18 RBI, .611 OPS

Fourth Round: Braeden Ogle, LHP, GCL: 0-2, 2.60 ERA, 20K/11BB (8 GS, 27.2 IP)

Fifth Round: Blake Cederlind, RHP, Bristol: 0-1, 4.67 ERA, 14K/7BB (6 GS, 17.1 IP): DL

Sixth Round: Cam Vieaux, LHP, WV Black Bears: 2-2, 3.33 ERA, 52K/21BB (14 GS, 67.2 IP)

Seventh Round: Brent Gibbs, C, Bristol: .236 BA, 6 RBI, .681 OPS

Eighth Round: Dylan Prohoroff, RHP, WV Black Bears: 0-1. 3.45 ERA, 2 saves out 3 SVO, 28K/13BB (21 Games, 28.2 IP)

Ninth Round: Clark Eagan, OF, WV Black Bears: .277 BA, 16 RBI, .686 OPS

Ten Round: Matt Anderson, RHP, WV Black Bears: 2-2, 4.65 ERA, 42K/14BB (14 games, 7 starts, 31 IP)

Eleventh Round: Max Kranick, RHP, GCL: 1-2, 2.43 ERA, 21K/4BB (9 games, 6 starts, 33.1 IP)

Will Craig obviously is the highest rated prospect, being he was a first round pick. Meanwhile, prep players Travis MacGregor, Braeden Ogle, and Max Kranick showed a lot of promise in their debuts. Due to this, these three prep pitchers are already considered top 30 prospects in the Pirates system. The one prospect who is receiving a lot of buzz entering 2017 is third round pick Stephen Alemais. Alemais is being touted as the second best defensive player in the system, only to Gift Ngoepe. Now, there are questions about his offensive ability, but if he continues to put up stats similar to his 2016, Alemais will be a solid prospect as he rises through the system. MLB Pipeline currently has him ranked as the Buc’s 30th overall prospect (2016 list).

Next: 2016 vs 2017 Rotation

MLB Pipeline will start releasing their Top 30 Prospect lists soon. For the Pittsburgh Pirates, they likely will have five of their top eleven picks ranked on the list. Will Craig, Travis MacGregor, Braeden Ogle, Stephen Alemais, and Max Kranick should all get recognition. The three prep players will likely see time in the lower levels. In 2014, the Bucs took multiple prep pitchers in Mitch Keller, Trey Supak, and Gage Hinsz. All three were sent to Short-Season A ball for their second season with the organization. Chances are MacGregor, Ogle, and Kranick will do the same to help limit the innings on their young arms. Meanwhile, Will Craig and Stephen Alemais will jump to High-A Bradenton.

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