Pittsburgh Pirates: Jacob Berry a Potential Good Underslot Pick

The Pittsburgh Pirates could go underslot in the 2022 draft by selecting top corner infield prospect Jacob Berry.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have the no. 4 pick in next year’s draft. Last year the Bucs went underslot, selecting backstop Henry Davis 1/1. The slugger signed for $6.5 million while his slot value was $8,415,300. This ended up being a great selection as it helped the Pirates sign overslot selection Anthony Solometo, Lonnie White, Bubba Chandler, Owen Kellington, and Braylon Bishop.

This is a strategy the organization could revisit in this year’s draft. If the Pittsburgh Pirates decide to go under slot, they could consider corner infielder Jacob Berry. Berry is currently considered a top 5-8 prospect in the draft, which would make him a reasonable underslot pick for the Bucs at no. 4.

The switch-hitter is a batter first-and-foremost. Last year, Berry played with the University of Arizona, batting .352/.439/.676. Berry had 17 home runs and 19 doubles in just 276 plate appearances, which comes out to 36 homers and 41 doubles throughout 600 plate appearances.

Berry also showed some patience at the plate. He walked at a 12% rate while having a solid 20.7% strikeout rate. Berry’s overall offensive contributions are best summarized in his .469 wOBA, making him a phenomenal batter.

So what makes Berry an underslot pick? It’s the fact his long-term position is likely first base. Berry played some third base at Arizona, but only nine games. He spent most of his time as a designated hitter. MLB Pipeline describes him as “rigid” at the hot corner. During fall practice, he also took some reps in right field, where scouts believe he looked solid defensively but pulled his hamstring. He’s already a below-average runner, so his range in a corner outfield spot might be questionable at best. While his arm might be fine at third, the lack of defensive chops to handle the position will likely mean that he’ll be a 1B in the long run.

Both FanGraphs and MLB Pipeline see him as just a 40-grade defender at third base. Though it’s pretty much agreed upon, his power ability deserves at least a 60-grade, and MLB Pipeline gives him just an extra bump to 65. At the very least, his hit tool is average as it currently stands and has the potential to be another 60-grade weapon.

Berry has since transferred to Louisiana State University when coach Jay Johnson also went from Arizona to LSU. While Berry has the potential to be a consistent .280, 35+ home run hitter, the fact he lacks a long-term defensive home could help bring his value down enough to be an underslot pick.

Now, if someone like Temmar Johnson or Drew Jones falls to the Pirates, it would be almost negligent not to select either. But, as we saw last year, going under slot worked out very well for the Pirates. They got two players who were considered consensus first-round talents in Davis (projected to go 3-5) and Chandler (projected to go 15-20), as well as a third potential first-rounder in Solometo (late first-round projected).

Berry would be an excellent underslot selection. Not only would the Pittsburgh Pirates be getting an advanced college slugger, but they’d be saving for later rounds. Suppose the Pirates have the opportunity to pull another Bubba Chandler heist and get a consensus top 15-20 talent in the second or third round because they went with Berry no. 4 overall. In that case, the Pirates will make out like bandits for a second year in a row in the draft.