Pittsburgh Pirates Draft: Potential Big Day Three

After a handful of under slot-type picks on day 2 of the MLB draft, the Pittsburgh Pirates could be in for a big day 3.

The Pittsburgh Pirates entered the 2022 draft with the fourth overall pick in the draft. They used that pick on infielder Termarr Johnson. Day one was a good day for the Pirates, but day two was pretty interesting. They picked five pitchers with their eight picks. One of the position players they drafted, Jack Brannigan is a two-way player, so he can pitch as well.

Many of the Pirates’ picks on day 2 were under slot selections. They’re choosing a handful of high-risk players who have stuff, but lack the consistency or command. However, because they went under slot so many times, the Pirates could be in for a big day 3 of the draft.

There are still some big high school names left. Among the position players to watch, you have catcher Malcolm Moore. Moore was a guy I highlighted yesterday as a potential day 2 pick, but went unselected. A McClatchy High School product, the lefty hitting catcher brings an advanced bat that projects to be well above average, both in terms of hit potential and power potential. Only downside is that he might not stick at catcher long term. Brady Neal is another high school catcher to keep an eye on. Neal is another advanced hitter, but doesn’t bring the same ceiling as Moore when it comes to hitting. But he projects as an above average defensive catcher who is already showing off a good arm behind the dish.

Let’s move out from behind the plate and look at shortstop Gavin Guidry. Guidry is a well rounded player, receiving 50 or better grades for all his tools, according to MLB Pipeline. He stands at 6’2’, 180, so there’s potential for more power here in the future. Ryan Clifford is a high school outfielder who brings power potential. A lefty hitting outfielder who is committed to Vanderbilt, Clifford projects to have an above average hit tool and the potential for 20 homers. He also has good swinging mechanics, having a pretty left-handed swing and bat path. However, he isn’t a great runner and his fielding could use some refining. If the outfield proves to be troubling for Cifflord in the long run, he could always move to first base, another position he is familiar with.

One of the top pitchers still left is Sam Horn. Horn is a two-sport standout at Collins Hill High School in Georgia. If he fully commits his time to baseball, many see him taking off big time. He already throws a four-seam fastball in the low-90s and tops out at 95. He’ll also toss an upper-70s/low-80s curveball. His change-up projects to be another usable offering, though he doesn’t use it much now. He’s a strong 6’4’, 200, but his delivery is clean.

Horn might have a big frame at a young age, but Jack O’Conner is even bigger. Standing at 6’5”, 225, O’Connor uses all of his frame to generate good velocity. He’s consistently hitting 92-94 MPH and topping out at 96. O’Connor is more raw than Horn though. O’Connor has a feel for his slider, curveball, and change-up, but nothing that really projects as a great pitch.

The only player I brought up not in either FanGraphs or MLB Pipeline’s top 100 draft prospects was O’Connor. There’s still a whole lot of draft left and with the Pirates going so under slot on day 2, it’s reasonable to believe that they are going to be looking at some of the top high school names left. It shouldn’t come as a shock if they draft one, or even two of the big high school names remaining and sign them to a massive over slot deal.