Rum Bunter Staff Pittsburgh Pirates Mock Draft: Noah Wright

No. 110 – LHP Trey Dombrowski

The Pittsburgh Pirates should put a focus on college pitchers this year, and I think one that could be a perfect fit for the Bucs is lefty Trey Domkowski. Dombrowski is a lefty out of Monmouth, which isn’t necessarily a big baseball college. Only five MLB players ever were from Monmouth. However, I don’t see that as a reason not to select Dombrowski. The southpaw is a very advanced arm that could move quickly through the minor leagues.

Dombrowski was dominant in 2022, posting a 3.13 ERA and 0.98 WHIP in 95 innings of work. He put up a solid 0.95 HR/9 rate while striking out 31.3% of batters faced. However, both of those pale compared to his ability to prevent walks. Dombrowski handed out a free pass to just 3.6% of the batters he faced. This isn’t a first for him either. He also had a 3.6% walk rate in 2021, albeit in a smaller sample size of 52.2 innings. This year, his K:BB ratio came out to 8.57; the second year in a row he averaged at least eight strikeouts for every walk.

Dombrowski’s not a power-pitcher, averaging out at 88-92 MPH. His curveball and slider flash above-average potential, as does his change-up. But because he has the best command in the draft, all of his stuff plays up. MLB Pipeline grades his control out to a 70 and based on his walk rate, you can see why. Not only does he have elite command, but a deceptive arm angle.

Dombrowski is definitely a guy who deserves more attention in this year’s draft. Projections will never have him that high because of his lack of velo, but the command of his offerings is something you can’t overlook. He might add some velocity over time, but even if he tops out at 91-92 MPH, his ability to dot up a strike zone will work either way.