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Pittsburgh Pirates: Three More Players to Consider in the Rule 5 Draft

By Kody Duncan |
AMARILLO, TEXAS - JULY 31: Outfielder Dominic Canzone #14 of the Amarillo Sod Poodles hits a home run during the game against the Corpus Christi Hooks at HODGETOWN Stadium on July 31, 2022 in Amarillo, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
AMARILLO, TEXAS - JULY 31: Outfielder Dominic Canzone #14 of the Amarillo Sod Poodles hits a home run during the game against the Corpus Christi Hooks at HODGETOWN Stadium on July 31, 2022 in Amarillo, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
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AMARILLO, TEXAS – JULY 31: Outfielder Dominic Canzone #14 of the Amarillo Sod Poodles warms up before the game against the Corpus Christi Hooks at HODGETOWN Stadium on July 31, 2022 in Amarillo, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images)
AMARILLO, TEXAS – JULY 31: Outfielder Dominic Canzone #14 of the Amarillo Sod Poodles warms up before the game against the Corpus Christi Hooks at HODGETOWN Stadium on July 31, 2022 in Amarillo, Texas. (Photo by John E. Moore III/Getty Images) /

The Pittsburgh Pirates will have plenty of options to choose from in this year’s Rule 5 Draft. The draft will be on Dec. 7th during the winter meetings in San Diego, California. The Pirates will have the 3rd overall pick. Here are 3 players they should think about selecting with their first overall pick.

Dominic Canzone OF/1B – Arizona Diamondbacks

The first player that should be on the minds of the Pittsburgh Pirates front office during the Rule 5 Draft is Arizona Diamondbacks prospect, Dominic Canzone. He is currently the D-backs #19 prospect according to MLB Pipeline. He is 25 years old and is coming off another solid season in the minor leagues.

In 2022, Canzone played the majority of the time with the Diamondbacks’ AAA affiliate, Reno Aces. He played 88 games in AAA where is slashed .284/.349/.489 with 16 home runs. He had a 7.7% walk rate and only struck out 20.3% of the time. He played mostly first base, right field, and left field last season and I believe that is something that Pirates need on their 26-man roster for the 2023.

Canzone is a left handed batter, so with the addition to Ji-Man Choi, I could see him mainly playing in the outfield if selected by the Pirates. He finished the season with 22 home runs at all levels he played at. A corner outfield with power is what is missing in this lineup and he could fill some holes for this club.

Through his years in the minor leagues dating back to 2019, Canzone has always hit for average. With the shift now banned, a power hitting corner outfielder that also can contribute in other ways is a great option to have on your roster heading into the 2023 season.

(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
(Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images) /

Erik Miller LHP – Philadephia Phillies

This guyshould be a no brainer if the Pittsburgh Pirates are looking to add some left handed pitching depth on to this 26-man roster. Erik Miller is currently the #7 prospect on the Phillies Top 30 list according to MLB Pipeline. He pitched 36.1 innings last season in AA mostly coming out of the bullpen and had an impressive 2.23 ERA striking out 44 batters and walking 17.

After the Pirates designated Manny Banuelos for assignment, there is no one on the this roster that is left handed that can pitch. I think this could be a very good selection if the Pirates decide to draft a pitcher with their 1st round pick. He needs to improve his command, but his stuff is there to be a very good left handed pitcher out of the bullpen.

The Pirates will definitely find some left handed pitchers during this off-season, but this would be a good place to start. Miller made the Futures All-Star game for good reason and could be a steal if he shines this season. Time will tell what Ben Cherington and company will do Dec.7th, but going with an arm would never be a bad option for this club.

(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
(Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /

Jake Mangum OF – New York Mets

The third option for the Pittsburgh Pirates should be New York Mets outfield prospect, Jake Mangum. The switch hitting outfielder is somebody that could be a sneaky pick up in this year’s Rule 5 Draft. Mangum had an injury prone season which cost him a lot of playing time, but did manage to play in 72 games after getting activated in late August.

In 2022, Mangum slashed .306/.363/.441 with an OPS of .804 across the Mets minor league affiliates. He finished with 4 home runs, 6 triples, and 15 doubles in those 72 games played. He also walked 22 times and struck out only 14 times.

In September, Mangum was on fire. He slashed .341/.376/.506 with AAA Syracuse. This showed his true potential since he was at full health at the end of the season.

This kid would be a great utility type player the Pirates could use in 2023. The versatility of being a switch hitter and also the ability to play solid defense in the outfield should be attract this front office in potentially selecting him in this years draft.

dark. Next. Prospects the Pirates Could Lose in the Rule 5 Draft

Either way, the Pittsburgh Pirates need to find a hidden gem in this years Rule 5 Draft. They are lacking in certain areas and this could be a great way to help secure some areas of need for next season.

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