Pittsburgh Pirates Draft: Three Potential Late Round Impact Players

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PITTSBURGH, PA – AUGUST 22: Roansy Contreras #59 of the Pittsburgh Pirates delivers a pitch in the first inning during the game against the Atlanta Braves at PNC Park on August 22, 2022 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

These three late round selections made by the Pittsburgh Pirates during this year’s draft could make an impact in the future.

The Pittsburgh Pirates made the most of their 2022 MLB Draft. The big get was obviously Termarr Johnson, but the Pirates also drafted some notable pitchers like Thomas Harrington, Hunter Barco, and Michael Kennedy. They could all potentially be impact players in the future.

But many impact players weren’t drafted in the first few rounds. Every team tries and finds potential impact players in their future at every stage of the draft; early, middle rounds, and late rounds. The Pirates definitely picked some talented players late in the draft.

But among their later-round picks, who could be potential impact players? All of these players were picked after the 10th round but could potentially be a player the Pirates could rely on.

LHP Julian Bosnic

Julian Bosnic had the potential to go within the first few rounds of the 2021 draft. However, injuries caused him to fall to the 16th round to the San Francisco Giants. Bosnic decided to return to the University of South Carolina. After a strong season where he stayed healthy, Bosnic re-entered the 2022 draft, where the Pirates selected him in the 14th round.

Bosnic’s last season in college saw him pitch 50.2 innings, working to the tune of a 2.84 ERA and 0.93 WHIP. Bosnic struck out 37.9% of the batters he faced while surrendering just two home runs. Bosnic, impressively, also had 3.9 hits-per-9 innings. But Bosnic also walked batters 12.1% of the time.

Bosnic worked as a reliever and starter, pitching 22 games and starting four. Bosnic’s fastball averages out around 92-95 MPH, but he has shown the ability to crank it up to the upper-90s. Bosnic’s curveball is also very good, as he has a very high spin rate. While his change-up has the potential to be a decent offering, he rarely uses it. Bosnic’s biggest flaw is his command, which stems from a delivery he has trouble repeating. He also isn’t the most athletic pitcher ever, which also contributes to a lack of a repeatable delivery.

Bosnic may have reliever in his future, but there’s still a chance he can start. Bosnic is talented. There’s a reason he was projected to go within the first five rounds in 2021. If he is healthy and can improve his mechanics, Bosnic may end up as a starting pitcher. At the very worst, he projects as a high-leverage left-handed reliever.

BOSTON, MA – JUNE 12: Ben Cherington, general manager of the Boston Red Sox, leaves the field before a game with the Toronto Blue Jays at Fenway Park on June 12, 2015 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Jim Rogash/Getty Images) /

LHP Dominic Perachi

Dominic Perachi is the second left-handed pitcher we’ll look at today. Perachi was drafted out of Salve Regina University, an NCAA Division Three program. However, Perachi did exceptionally well throughout college and significantly improved in 2022.

Perachi pitched 100.2 innings, working to the tune of a 2.24 ERA and 1.01 WHIP. Perachi struck out 39.1% of batters faced while allowing just seven home runs. He also had a solid 9.5% walk rate. His walk and home run rates might be decent, but his strikeout rate is very strong.

Perachi pitched 71.2 innings during his last season, posting an ERA of just 1.00. He had a WHIP of 0.89 and a strikeout rate of 41.8%. Perachi walked just 7% of the batters he faced while allowing two home runs. For every batter he walked, Perachi struck out six more.

The biggest development for Perachi this season was an increase in velocity. Perachi was hitting the low-90s, and while that might not be impressive overall, he still could add more velocity as he ages. His curveball has upwards of 3000 RPM, along with a change-up.

Perachi may have been an 11th-round pick and from a D3 school, but he has plenty of talent. He was trending upward when the Pirates drafted him, so he could continue to grow for the Bucs. He adds another needed LHP prospect to the Pirate system.

Aug 11, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington (left) talks with manager Derek Shelton (right) during batting practice before the game against the St. Louis Cardinals at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /

1B/OF Josiah Sightler

The Pittsburgh Pirates 15th overall pick in the draft, Josiah Sightler, was picked out of the University of South Carolina. The Cincinnati Reds originally drafted the SEC product in the 2018 draft during the 12th round but did not sign. Sightler brings the Pirates a big power bat who could be a future first base option.

In his last year at college, Sightler batted .300/.408/.629, crushing 15 dingers. Sightler had a solid 9.5% walk rate but struck out at a 20.9% rate. Sightler has some strikeout problems. His college strikeout rate is 23.7%. On the plus side, he’s seen his strikeout rate and walk rate move in the right direction. In ‘21, he had just a 7.9% walk rate and 21.3% strikeout rate. Sightler did toss 13.2 innings in college but struggled. He’s primarily a corner outfielder and first baseman. He appeared in 18 games at the corner infield position with 11 total appearances in the outfield.

Sightler is a towering 6’5”, 235. He definitely has the frame of a big power hitter. Sightler brings all the positives of a power-hitting prospect. He has the potential to hit a ton of home runs and put up a well above-average on-base percentage. But you also get the downsides as well, like the sub-par strikeout rate and lack of defensive value.

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But Sightler could make an impact in the near future. The Pittsburgh Pirates have very few first base prospects, and while prospects drafted at first base usually have a low ceiling, Sightler has some positives that will make him an interesting prospect to watch. Sightler could provide a power prospect.

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