Pittsburgh Pirates 2022 Mock Draft 1.0: Projecting a College Bat

(Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
(Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /
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Pittsburgh Pirates #4 Overall Pick

Brooks Lee, Shortstop, Selection

Yes, a middle infielder.  There are a few things that Pittsburgh Pirates should realize by now and it is that the team’s Front Office has a preference for college players early in the Draft. The first two drafts under Ben Cherington and Steven Sanders saw the Pittsburgh Pirates go with college hitters in Nick Gonzales and Henry Davis.  However, this was very much their pattern when the two brain trusts were with the Toronto Blue Jays.

So looking at the Draft board there are three college hitters who could be available at pick #4.  One is second baseman Jace Jung from Texas Tech, Chase DeLautre a right fielder from James Madison, and Peyton Graham a third baseman from Oklahoma. So why Lee?

Well, out of the group Lee might be the best pure hitter, a trait the Bucs have looked for with each of their last first-round selections.  Lee is having a strong college season batting .366 with an OPS over 1.100.  However, something that stands out, even more, is that he hit over .400 in the Cape Cod League last summer.  Again, a League that the Pittsburgh Pirates Front Office thinks favorably of when it comes to producing prospects.