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Pittsburgh Pirates: Three Potential Fifth Round Draft Picks

By Noah Wright |
Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
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May 24, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington talks on the phone in the dugout before the game against the Colorado Rockies at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
May 24, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington talks on the phone in the dugout before the game against the Colorado Rockies at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

The Pittsburgh Pirates will have the 140th overall selection in the 5th round and these three players could be on the board when they are on the clo

When you think of the MLB draft, you usually think of the top players available. This year’s draft class includes guys like Jackson Holliday, Termarr Johnson, Druw Jones, and Brooks Lee. Not many pay attention to later-round draft picks past the first round or two. But that doesn’t mean there isn’t anyone interesting selected.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have the fourth overall pick in this year’s draft, and by the fifth round, they will have the 140th overall selection. It’s hard to predict who will be available and who will already be off the board by then, but we can have a general idea based on draft prospect rankings.

The fifth round is still relatively early in the draft, and the Pirates might find a nice player at the 140th overall selection. So today, I want to look at three prospects who could be on the Pirates’ radar when the fifth round comes around.

RHP Luis Ramirez

Long Beach State right-hander Luis Ramirez is entering this year’s draft looking to get selected in the early rounds. He is currently MLB Pipeline’s 141st best draft prospect and should go sometime in the early 5th round. He has some underrated talent, partly because he was injured this year.

In 33 innings, Ramirez had a 2.14 ERA and 1.07 WHIP. Ramirez posted his best single-season strikeout rate in college. He K’d just over a quarter of batters faced with a 25.9% K-rate. Plus, he only had a 7.5% walk rate. Impressively, Ramirez allowed zero home runs. He’s been a massive home run suppressor throughout his college career, allowing just three in 125.1 innings of work.

Ramirez might not have anything super overpowering, but his stuff is pretty solid overall. His sinking fastball is what helps him keep the ball on the ground. Ramirez had a GB% over 60%, and his fastball helped play a large role in that. He only averages out around 92-94 MPH but tops out at 95-96 MPH. His slider comes in around the 78-80 MPH range and has become a better pitch this year. He has tightened up his slider, and it looks like a plus offering. He worked on his changeup in the Cape Cod League in 2021, and it’s now a very usable pitch for the righty.

Ramirez’s command is also on the upward trend. Overall, the right-hander has shown a decent improvement from last year to this year. The main reason scouts have been tepid on him is his missed starts. However, if he is healthy come draft time, I would rather see the Pittsburgh Pirates go with someone trending in the right direction regarding their stuff and performance.

Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports
Mandatory Credit: Nathan Ray Seebeck-USA TODAY Sports /

RHP J.T. Quinn

J.T. Quinn is a 6’6″, 215-pound right-hander coming out of Berkley Prep. The high school prospect has a large frame at 18-years-old and the talent to use that frame to his advantage. Quinn does have a commitment to Mississippi, but the right amount of slot money might pry him from his commitment.

At just 18-years-old, Quinn is already touching 95 MPH. Though he usually sits in the lower-90s, with his age and frame, there’s plenty of reason to believe he’ll eventually average out in the mid-90s. It’s not a flat fastball either. He throws it with some sink. Although his fastball already flashes plus-plus, his curveball is already a plus-plus offering. He tunnels it well with his fastball and gets a ton of swings and misses outside the zone on it. However, he can also throw it for strikes. Because he tunnels it so well with his four-seamer, Quinn can throw batters off coming out of the hand.

Quinn doesn’t have a third pitch. MLB Pipeline gives him a 40-grade for his change-up, but he does have the potential to get a third offering. As a high school draft prospect, Quinn has plenty of time to develop a third pitch. Given he is also considered an early-round selection, he also has the talent to hammer down a third offering.

Despite his large frame, Quinn has a good feel for his mechanics. He can easily repeat his delivery and has fast arm speed. Typically with someone 6’6″ and 18-years-old, they’d need to polish that part of their game up, but Quinn already has clean arm work. That’s why many believe he can add a third pitch to his arsenal. Quinn might be an over slot pick, but it is worth it in the long run.

PITTSBURGH, PA – MAY 10: A wide angle view during the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Los Angeles Dodgers at PNC Park on May 10, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – MAY 10: A wide angle view during the game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Los Angeles Dodgers at PNC Park on May 10, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Outfielder Justin Boyd

The Pittsburgh Pirates have a handful of notable outfield prospects. They could add yet another one in the first round if they select either Druw Jones or Elijah Green. But they might have the opportunity to get a highly athletic outfielder in the fifth round with Justin Boyd.

Boyd is coming out of Oregon State. The outfielder opened his college career as a utility man, seeing time in the infield and outfield. However, he secured himself regular playing time as the team’s starting right-fielder this year. He definitely capitalized on this opportunity as in 293 plate appearances, Boyd hit .366/.488/.560. Boyd walked nearly as often as he struck out. He had 52 base on balls and 55 strikeouts. Between his excellent plate discipline and high-contact approach, Boyd had a wOBA over .450.

Boyd’s great ability to make contact and get on base pairs well with his excellent speed. He swiped 24 bases in 29 attempts and grades as a 65-runner per MLB Pipeline. Boyd also has a plus arm, which plays well in a corner outfield spot. Boyd showed great defensive ability in right field, and with his speed, some scouts believe he could play center field regularly.

Next. Best Late Round Draft Picks in Pirate History. dark

The only downside is that Boyd does not have very much home run power. He’s a gap-to-gap hitter, being more of a doubles hitter than a home run hitter. He still had eight home runs and a .194 isolated slugging percentage, so he isn’t weak, per se. He still drives the ball with authority. Although he might not have proto-typical right field power, he’s a guy who will consistently provide a high OBP, 30+ doubles, and good defense.

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