2025 Pirates draft pick with World Series-winning cousin talks pitching lab

The Pittsburgh Pirates put together a very exciting draft class this season. Although they started off pitcher heavy, their farm system has gotten a lot better and deeper in many areas of need in recent days. They even landed a player who is the cousin of former World Series champion Lorenzo Cain: Brandon Cain, who's in the process of conversion to a hurler, was selected by the Pirates in the 19th round out of Oklahoma.

Cain spent one season with the Sooners after two years at Mississippi Gulf Coast Community College. At the JUCO level, he showed that he has solid stuff on the bump with an 8.71 K/9, but ran into some control troubles, leading to an inflated ERA of 8.06. Despite that, Oklahoma still saw the upside he brought and gave him a chance in the Southeastern Conference. There, he only got one appearance and did not finish the inning. He recorded 15 at-bats, played in 21 games, and started in right field twice. He's listed on Oklahoma's team site as an infielder/outfielder, but the Pirates are pivoting him in the opposite direction.

After his lone season with the Sooners, Cain found success in a summer league, posting a 1.86 ERA across eight appearances. He put together a 9.03 K/9 and held opponents to a .114 batting average. His walk total was still a bit high, yet Pittsburgh still saw an arm with enough upside that they could send him through their successful pitching lab.

Pirates' 19th draft pick Brandon Cain talks to Rum Bunter about his road to professional baseball.

Their pitching lab has really started to gain a strong reputation across the league, and Cain is very excited to work with them.

"Yes. 100%," Cain replied enthusiastically. "I know I will develop as soon as I get with them for sure."

The Pirates' developmental team is getting an extremely strong arm, which Cain describes as his best attribute.

"This past summer, I ran it up to 99 mph off the mound with feel for four total pitches. [I also lean on my] athletic ability as well, with a developing body and ability."

Everything is there for the six-foot-tall, 175-pound right hander. Pittsburgh has a very athletic arm coming in that can really turn into a stud prospect. Although his cousin Lorenzo wasn't a pitcher, that athletic gene clearly is shared throughout the family.

Lorenzo Cain, of course, was a star outfielder who generated a 30.9 fWAR across 13 seasons in the majors. He finished his career with a .283 batting average with 454 RBI and 190 stolen bases. He was also able to give Brandon a lot of guidance in this stage of his exciting baseball career.

"He has been there to guide me through the process and give me information when I need it," {Brandon} Cain noted. "[He] also helped me commit to Oklahoma during that process."

Cain is extremely excited to join the Pirates. Once he heard his name called, his celebration was absolutely golden and will fire up the fanbase.

"I yelled, jumped in the pool fully clothed," Cain exclaimed. "It was very exciting."

The Pirates fanbase is getting a player that is extremely grateful to be here. His message to the fans about himself and his future to the organization was just what everyone needed to hear.

"Pitching is the goal, and I am gonna be a power arm and of good use to our team in the future," Cain stated. "I love to be present with the fans and interact with you guys."

Cain has the tools to become a very successful pitcher, and is very open to working with this developmental team. Getting him into the Pirates' pitching lab will be an extremely exciting journey to watch over the years.