Pittsburgh Pirates: 2015 Draft Pick Review

Ninth Round Pick, Brett Helton, Right-Handed Pitcher

When the Pirates drafted Helton I was not impressed with the pick.  At Utah, Helton struggled to put his projectable frame to use.  His junior year he went 2-8 with a 5.71 ERA.  He continued that trend in his 14 starts at Short Season A last year posting a 4.98 ERA.  One thing to like about Helton is he possesses a good fastball that has hit as high as 97 miles per hour on the radar.  He also has a big frame at 6’4” and 220 pounds.

Helton is having a strong 2016 season for the Low-A West Virginia Power.  So far he has made 15 starts and compiled a four and five record.  In those 15 starts he has pitched 76.2 innings he owns a 3.87 ERA.  Helton has only struck out 52 batters in those innings, but also has only walked 29.  He does not have the upside of some of the other picks, but he also has a lot to work with his power fastball and build.

Tenth Round Pick, Logan Sendelbach, Right-Handed Pitcher

The 6’3″ right-handed pitcher put up strong numbers his junior year at Tiffin Universirty.  He posted a strong 2.84 ERA and obviously caught the attention of the Pirates scouts.  Sendelbach will not blow anyone away as his fastball sits 90-92 mphs.  He is more a location pitcher with good secondary stuff and has the projectable frame to add velocity to his fastball.  Last year at Rookie-Advanced level Bristol Sendelbach struggled posting a 2-3 record with a 4.69 ERA in 10 starts.

Sendelbach has been very impressive in the 2016 campaign.  He has made 15 starts at Low-A West Virginia. In those starts he has pitched in 81 innings and put together a five and two record.  He owns a 3.44 ERA on the year and he has stuck out 63 hitters while only walking 23.  Sendelbach is the most intriguing pick of last years draft class.  For being from a small school and a tenth round pick, Sendelbach will find himself at High-A before the end of the season.

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