Pittsburgh Pirates: Highlights for the Organization in 2021
By Marty Leap
2021 draft class
When the Pittsburgh Pirates drafted Henry Davis with the top overall pick in this past summer’s draft many people, myself included, were scratching their heads at first. Quickly, it became clear what the plan was for the Pirates and it was a great one.
By drafting Davis, who was the best college hitter in the draft, the Pirates saved money and put themselves in a position to make a run at over-slot picks the rest of the draft which is exactly what they did. Left-handed pitcher Anthony Solomento, outfielder Lonnie White Jr., shortstop/pitcher Bubba Chandler, and outfielder Braylon Bishop were all top-100 talents the Pirates signed. With the money that was saved in drafting Henry the Pittsburgh Pirates were also able to draft and sign highly-touted prep pitcher Owen Kellington.
Entering the draft each of these players had signability questions due to their college commitments. In the case of White Jr. (Penn State) and Chandler (Clemson) it was a football commitment that was muddying the waters. To the credit of Ben Cherington and his staff they were able to get everyone signed.
By the accounts of many the Pirates had the best draft class of any MLB team in 2021. This just added to an already deep, talented farm system. With the talent that was infused through the draft the Pirate farm system is now one of the two or three best in all of baseball.