Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Late Round Draft Picks to Watch in 2022

Justin Meis

Right-hander Justin Meis just barely makes the list. He was the first pick in the 10th round by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2021 MLB Draft. He might not be on the level of Anthony Solometo or Carmen Mlodzinski, but there’s lots of potential for an elite-level relief arm within Meis.

Meis, a Bethel Park native who is living the dream, was drafted out of Eastern Michigan University. His numbers don’t fully support his talent. During his final college season the right-hander pitched 73.2 innings while having a 4.64 ERA, 1.439 WHIP, and 10.2% walk rate. Granted, he did have a solid 0.98 HR/9 and 25% strikeout rate.

Meis cut down on runs allowed once he reached pro-ball. He allowed just 4 earned runs in 17.2 innings. He also upped his strikeout rate to 34.6% while having a 1.0 HR/9. However, walks were still an issue. He surrendered a free pass to 11.5% of all batters faced.

Still, Meis possesses plus stuff. He throws a slurve-like breaking ball in the low-90’s. He also pairs that with a change-up that has some wicked action. That offering comes in the mid-80’s. Finally, there’s his fastball which is a pitch that resides in the 92-94 MPH range.

His breaking ball and arm slot are reminiscent of Adam Ottavino. Like all young relief pitching prospects, Meis has some command issues. But with a great slurve, changeup, and solid fastball, the right-hander has the stuff to end up being a solid long-term relief option within the next few years.

Brenden Dixon

The Pittsburgh Pirates used their final pick of the 2021 draft on infielder Brenden Dixon. Now, granted, he was a 20th round pick, but the Pirates could find a diamond in the rough with Dixon. The middle infielder had one of the best starts to his pro career out of all the Pirates’ draft picks.

Dixon received 43 plate appearances at the Florida Coast League. During those 43 trips to the plate, he had 10 hits as well as 10 walks. Dixon’s OBP was approaching .500 in the small sample size, sitting at .488. Plus of those 10 hits, one as a double, another was a triple, and two more were home runs. On the downside, he had 12 strikeouts, which led to a 27.9% strikeout rate.

Dixon is an above-average defender at both second base and shortstop. His arm, while not the strongest, can play at both positions. He may have a bit of trouble with the long throws from short, but aside from that, he has the hands and quickness to play the position.

Now yes, Dixon was a 20th round pick. He was one of the last players overall selected in the 2021 draft. But Dixon has displayed plus-plus swing-speed and an ability to play up the middle. You can’t rule out the jury on Dixon just yet because he was a very late-round selection.

Max Kranick

An 11th round pick from the 2016 draft has an opportunity to secure himself a rotation spot this year. That’s right-hander Max Kranick. The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Kranick a handful of drafts ago, but he has the chance to be a long-term part of the rotation if he can prove himself next year.

Kranick has already appeared in the major leagues. He had a fantastic debut firing off 5 perfect innings against the St. Louis Cardinals. The one thing that stopped him from pitching more innings was a rain delay. However, so far, that’s as good as it’s gotten for Kranick. Throughout his next 33.2 innings, Kranick would surrender 27 earned runs on 47 total hits, 19 walks, and 4 home runs.

Now, granted, Kranick’s underlying numbers suggest something closer to a no. 4-5 starting pitcher. Opponents had a .350 batting average on balls in play vs the right-hander despite overall league average hard hit and exit velo numbers. Plus his expected numbers were well below what his actual numbers were. This includes a .258 xBA, .325 xwOBA, .392 xSLG, and 4.54 xERA.

The issue with Kranick is that he doesn’t have that one pitch. For example, Roansy Contreras’ high-spin, high-velocity fastball, and Quinn Priester’s curveball are both top-tier level offerings. He also doesn’t have the wide variety of offerings that are average to above average with plus command like Miguel Yajure.

Kranick throws a fastball, slider, curveball, and change-up. All but his four-seamer play at about a 45-level. His fastball is about average but has 55-grade potential. His command is also on the fringy side, which doesn’t help him.

However, if Kranick can induce soft contact like he did this year, there’s a solid back of the rotation starter within the right-hander. His ceiling might only be a low-end no. 3 starter, but if he can pitch 180 innings and put up a 4.30 ERA, there won’t be many complaints coming his way.

Jasiah Dixon

Jasiah Dixon was an overslot pick by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2019 draft. A high-school outfielder coming out of Orange Lutheran in California, Dixon was picked in the 23rd round. He fits the profile of a highly athletic, raw talent.

During his first taste of action in 2019, Dixon collected 24 hits in his first 84 plate appearances. He also only struck out 11 times with 10 walks. Granted, he had just 6 extra-base hits, none of which left the park. The outfielder spent the 2021 season at A-Ball Bradenton and the Pirates’ Florida Coast League affiliate. Between the two levels, he performed better at Bradenton.

In 105 trips to the plate, Dixon posted a solid .244/.410/.305 line with a .366 wOBA, and 109 wRC+. Pretty much all of Dixon’s offensive contributions came from his ability to get on base. He saw his strikeout rate rise to 24.8%, but his walk rate sat at 18.1%. But that .410 OBP is quite deadly. He was 13-for-13 in stolen base attempts and is up there with Sergio Campana as arguably the Pirates’ fastest prospect.

Dixon has the potential for more power. He has quick hands and bat speed that may generate more power as he grows. However, even if he remains as a weak-hitter, if his ability to draw walks remains, he’ll be a phenomenal leadoff hitter. As mentioned earlier, Dixon might just be the fastest prospect in the Pirate farm system. Imagine a .350 on-base percentage with speed in the top 95th+ percentile. That’s the kind of potential player Dixon is.

Deion Walker

With another late-round over slot pick from the 2019 pick, we have outfielder Deion Walker. Like Dixon, Walker is a high-ceiling, athletic high school outfielder. But the similarities end there. Walker was picked much later than Dixon, coming in the 35th round. But make no mistake, he still has talent to keep an eye on as he progresses.

In 2019, Walker had just 83 plate appearances in his pro debut. He did have 20 hits, including 5 doubles, 3 triples, and a home run. However, he drew just 5 base on balls while making an out at the plate 18 times. Walker’s 2021 season wasn’t very kind to him. He received all 97 plate appearances at the Florida Coast League, batting just .200/.340/.300. He did up his walk rate to 15.5%, but also struck out 23.7% of the time. Not to mention he had just 4 extra-base hits.

While Dixon is an extremely quick prospect who relies on his strong plate discipline to reach base, Walker is a prospect with plus power potential. Walker is listed at 6’4″ at just 20-years-old. He only weighs in at 180 pounds, but by the time he’s 22-24 years old, he’ll fill out his body to add more muscle. A 6’4″, 205-pound outfielder has the frame to be a power hitter in the majors.

Walker is a good runner with plus defense. He’s still a raw talent that needs to be refined, but the ability is there. Walker is still a handful of years away from being a potential contributor to the major leagues. But with his potential, we may see him among the Pirates’ more noteworthy outfield prospects.