Three Potential Second Round Draft Picks for the Pittsburgh Pirates

Catcher Tyler Soderstrom, Turlock High School (CA)

Tyler Soderstrom is a young athletic catcher with an all-around feel to his game. With a plus bat as well as batting from the left side of the plate, there is a lot to like about his game. Especially with him flashing these plus tools at only 18-years-old. He has incredible bat speed, which enables him to hit the ball with velocity making him a very tough out.

On the defensive side of the ball, he has all of the tools to be a great defensive asset when he is drafted. His arm has admirable strength with a quick exchange from glove to hand. Another asset in Soderstrom’s bag of many tools is his exceptional pop-up speed of 1.9 seconds. Adding a little pedigree to his name, his father was drafted 6th overall by the San Francisco Giants in the 1993 MLB Draft.

As it sits now, Soderstrom is ranked in the sweet spot for the Pirates at 32nd. Drafting a catcher, especially an all-around catcher with loads of potential, is a pick Pirate fans will like. After all, catcher remains the organization’s biggest need. He is currently in a verbal commitment with UCLA, but odds are he skips college if he is picked at number 31.