Pittsburgh Pirates: Three High School Pitching Draft Prospects to Watch

The Pittsburgh Pirates will have an early-round selection in this year’s draft. So if they decide to go with a high school pitcher, who might be on their radar?

A last week, we took a look at three college pitchers to watch this year. Although there are plenty of talented college arms in this year’s draft, the most gifted arms are arguably high schoolers. It is rare to see a high school pitcher go early in the draft, as only nine have been selected within the first five picks dating back to the 2010 draft. After all, there is risk surrounding a super young arm. However, that could change this year.

The Pittsburgh Pirates will be going into the draft with the 4th overall selection. They’ve gone with college position players in the last two drafts with their first-round pick. Ben Cherington and his group have picked-up Nick Gonzales and Henry Davis since becoming general manager of the Pirates.

However, with the farm system filled to the brim with talent that we’ll see within the next 1 to 3 years, the Pittsburgh Pirates might take a more youth-focused approach and focus on the long term. This is more than 4-6 years down the road. The last first-round high school arm the Pirates picked was Quinn Priester, who has worked out quite well for the organization.

LHP Brandon Barriera

In 2021, the Pittsburgh Pirates selected lefty Anthony Solometo with the first in the second round. Going into the draft, Solometo was considered one of the best command pitchers available. This year, that title could go to another southpaw, Brandon Barriera.

Although Barriera doesn’t bring the kind of deception Solometo does, he’s still a highly talented pitcher who could go top 10-15 in this year’s draft. He could go higher if a team decides to go under slot. Barriera has a 55-control grade per MLB Pipeline and a 60-command grade on FanGraphs.

Barriera isn’t a flamethrower. His fastball only averages out in the low-90’s, but he can reach back for more velo when he needs to. He has topped out at 96 MPH before and has shown plus spin. He also has a curveball that hits 3000 RPM and a change-up that has some deception because of his arm speed.

All of Barriera’s offerings already play at an above-average level. Given his command, they all could be well above average offerings in the future. The southpaw has a 6’1, 170-pound frame, and he’ll likely add more muscle and velocity as he gets older. But his ability to locate and throw strikes could make him an underslot pick. He could fall to the 2nd round because of his commitment to Vanderbilt.

RHP Walter Ford

Walter Ford is one of the youngest players in this year’s draft. He just turned 17 back on December 28th and reclassified in order to enter this year’s draft. Ford could end up in the second round of the draft next season to the Pirates as he brings a three-pitch combo with all offerings playing at an average or better level.

Ford’s four-seam fastball already sits in the low-90’s and tops out at 97 MPH. It’s a well above average pitch that could end up in the upper-90’s once he’s done developing. He also throws a low-80’s slider that he uses to get many of his swings and misses on. Although FanGraphs gives him an above-average curveball, MLB Pipeline’s third offering for Ford is a change-up. It’s a pitch he has a feel for but needs to sharpen up. Two things that help his stuff play up just a bit are his athleticism and control. His control stands around average right now, but his athleticism helps him repeat his delivery with ease.

Still, as stated earlier, Ford is the youngest player in this year’s draft, just turning 17 a few months ago. Ford has a very projectable frame, standing at 6’2″, 195 pounds. He’ll definitely add a few pounds of muscle by the time he’s 20-years-old. That should also help him add some velo and durability.

Ford could end up going early in the first round, depending on how much scouts get to see him in spring and summer this year. However, right now, he’d very possibly be available when the Pittsburgh Pirates are on the clock.