3 2024 Pirates draft picks (besides Konnor Griffin) whose pro debuts we're eagerly awaiting

Many of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ top draft picks from 2024 have not made their professional debut yet. Among their first five picks of the draft, only one - Josh Hartle (who they traded in the Spencer Horwitz swap) - has played any professional ball yet. Even then, Hartle only appeared in a single game. Only half of their first 10 picks have played in any pro games in any capacity since their selection.

That leaves a ton of young talent that has yet to get a look against pro-level players. However, with the regular season about to begin, we will finally see what these prospects who have yet to play can offer. Aside from the obvious choice - Pittsburgh's first-round pick Konnor Griffin, who showed off during spring training - fans should be keeping tabs on what these three 2024 draft picks will do this year.

3 Pittsburgh Pirates 2024 Draft Picks (besides Konnor Griffin) who we're excited to see debut

3. Matt Ager

The Pirates selected Matt Ager in the sixth round of the draft, and they may have gotten a steal taking Ager that late. Despite being taken 174th overall, MLB Pipeline ranked him as the 135th-best prospect in the draft. Baseball America liked his potential even more, putting him just outside the top 100 at No. 104. 

However, Ager’s 2024 collegiate season was a step down from his 2023. He tossed 62.2 innings, working to a 4.02 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, and 2.11 K:BB ratio for UC Santa Barbara. Ager served as both a starter and closer, working out of the rotation nine times with 11 saves. The right-hander only allowed four home runs for a strong 0.58 HR/9 ratio, with his 9.9% walk rate and 20.8% K% coming in around average for the Big West Conference last year.

But in 2023, Ager owned a 3.12 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and 4.42 K:BB ratio through 92.1 innings of work. He was better in most peripherals, including a HR/9 ratio of 0.49, a walk rate clocking in at 6.8%, and his strikeout rate, sitting at 30.3%. Ager also started all 15 of the games he appeared in, but also worked as a reliever in 2022.

Ager has a large 6’6”, 225-pound frame. He typically sits in the low 90s, but can top out at 96 MPH. Given his size and projection, he still has a chance to add some velocity. His low-80s slider is his second-most-used offering. Ager will likely start utilizing his 12-6 curveball and mid-80s changeup more often now that he’s in pro ball. His control also projects as average, per the 20-80 scale.

While the Pirates are taking some risk with Ager after a down year in 2024, it could also be a great buy-low draft selection. Ager will enter the 2025 season at just 21 years old, but will turn 22 in late May. He’ll likely make his professional debut at Bradenton this year.

2. Wyatt Sanford

The Pirates went with multiple high-ceiling high school prospects early in the draft last year. One of them was Wyatt Sanford, who the Pirates took with their second-round pick. He signed for just under $2.5 million, which was a large over-slot deal, given his slot value was just over $1.9 million. Sanford adds an extremely talented glove to the system, and will arguably be the best infield glove the Pirates have in the minor league ranks once he debuts.

Sanford’s defensive abilities are considered plus on the 20-80 scale. He’ll easily stick at shortstop in the long run. He is also considered a plus runner, which gives him speed on the basepaths and the ability to cover ground easily. His arm is also strong enough to make deep throws from shortstop. Sanford is a player that could win a Gold Glove while swiping 20 bases.

While his defense and speed are his calling card, don’t sleep on his hitting. Sanford has shown good contact skills. While he did get a bit too pull-happy last spring, he should be able to make the adjustments to hit for more contact this year. His power is fringe at best, but his ability to put the bat on the ball makes up for his lack of pop.

Sanford is only 19, and won’t turn 20 until late November. We may see him get some playing time at Bradenton during the second half of the season, but he’ll likely open the campaign at the Florida Complex League. Showing some potential with the bat, even at that low of a level, would be a great way for Sanford to start his career.

1. Levi Sterling

After the Pirates took Konnor Griffin in the first round, they used their first round competitive balance pick on right-hander Levi Sterling. Sterling was the sixth-youngest player in the draft. Both MLB Pipeline (No. 58) and Baseball America (No. 55) ranked Sterling within the top 60 prospects of the draft.

Sterling was committed to Texas prior to getting drafted, but a signing bonus worth just over $2.5 million (which was around slot value) from the Bucs pried him away from his college commitment. Sterling did not pitch after the Pirates drafted him, and his first appearance on the mound in a Pirates’ uniform came during spring training. Sterling took the bump on the backfields, and was sitting low-90s with decent induced vertical break. Sterling definitely has the chance to add more velocity as he ages as well.

He also has multiple other secondaries he can turn to. His high-spin, mid-80s curveball is an above-average offering, as is his low-80s chang-up. The only pitch Baseball America does not project as above-average is his low-80s slider, but they do still pin it as a potentially average pitch. Sterling has displayed strong control over his four offerings, which is another area of his game BA projects as plus.

Sterling still has plenty of room to add more velocity, as well. He is an athletic pitcher who is listed at 6’5”, 200 pounds. If he can get up to 93-95 MPH with his fastball, given his control, he’ll continue to climb prospect rankings, and potentially be a top 100 prospect within the near future. Given Sterling’s young age, he’ll also likely join Sanford at the FCL, but could see some playing time at Bradenton before the end of the 2025 campaign.