Pittsburgh Pirates Sign J.C. Flowers and Ethan Paul

The Pittsburgh Pirates are starting to put the final touches on their 2019 Draft class.  The team has signed a couple more top picks.

The last two picks from the Pittsburgh Pirates top 10 rounds have signed with the organization.  The Bucs had already agreed to terms with all four of their first-day picks but now have signed all of their second day picks as well.

One player they signed was fourth-round pick J.C. Flowers, who was drafted by the Bucs out of Florida State.  With the Seminoles, the big right-handed prospect was known for his ability to do both to hit and pitch.

While Flowers played outfield for Florida State, the Bucs announced him as a pitcher.  Flowers pitched mainly as a relief pitcher this past year, but he did make one start as well.  The 6’3” and 190-pound player should have a chance to stretch out and be a starter to begin his career. Although if things do not go well on the mound, the team would likely give him a chance in the outfield.

The Bucs gave Flowers an above-slot deal, paying him a flat $500,000 while his slot was only valued at $460,000.  This signing was reported by Jim Callis of MLB Pipeline via Twitter. Callis also noted the bonus for Flowers.

The other player the team signed was Vanderbilt middle infielder Ethan Paul.  This marks the second time the team drafted Paul, after selecting him in the 28th round of the 2018 Draft.  This year the Bucs decided to take Paul in the ninth round, so obviously, there is something the team likes about him.

The announcement of Paul’s intent to signed actually came to him off of his Twitter and Instagram accounts.  The Vanderbilt product tweeted:

Paul has played second base in the past for the Commodores, but this year he was the team’s primary shortstop.  The 5’11” and 180-pound left-handed hitter also batted in the three hole for the National Champions.  He was a career .295 hitter over the course of 162 college games.

The projected slot value for the 274th overall pick was set at $152,300.  As I am writing this, there has not been any bonus figure reported for Paul.  Chances are the deal will be below slot value as he is a collegiate senior.

These two players were the last two of the Pittsburgh Pirates top picks to sign.  Now all 13 of their picks from rounds one through ten have signed deals to join the Bucs organization.  While there may still be some signings, these two signings make up the majority of their notable draft picks.