Pittsburgh Pirates: Way Too Early 2022 Five Round Mock Draft

Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – JUNE 22: Manager Derek Shelton #17 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action against the Chicago White Sox during inter-league play at PNC Park on June 22, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – JUNE 22: Manager Derek Shelton #17 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action against the Chicago White Sox during inter-league play at PNC Park on June 22, 2021 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

4th Pick: First basemen Ethan Long, Arizona State

For their 4th pick in the 2022 MLB draft, the Pittsburgh Pirates select first basemen, Ethan Long from Arizona State. Long stands at 6’2’ and weighs 220 pounds. He is your typical power hitting first basemen. Long bats and throws right-handed.

In his first year with Arizona State, Long played in 51 games. In 162 at bats, 55 of them were for hits in which 27 of them were extra base hits. He finished the year with 16 homeruns and 54 runs batted in. His slash line with Arizona State was .340/.417/.704 and had an OPS of 1.120 in his first year with the Sun Devils.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are lacking at the first base position in the farm system, so I believe Ethan Long can help fill that void. With only Mason Martin and Alexander Mojica as true first basemen, this would be a necessary “draft for need” situation.

He will have one more year in college to improve his bat skills and I think he could move up quickly in the Pirates system once drafted. If the Pirates want to compete in the near future, drafting college bats are the way to go and Ethan Long fits in that category.