3 college outfielders the Pittsburgh Pirates should keep on their draft radar

Dylan Dreiling

Another hitter who could go within the first few rounds of this year’s draft is University of Tennessee outfielder Dylan Dreiling, who is in the midst of an outstanding sophomore season. He would add a much-needed bat to the organization as well, even if he’s not the best defender.

Dreiling is slashing .317/.439/.673 through 221 plate appearances. He’s hit for a good amount of pop this year with 16 doubles and 17 homers, leading to a .356 isolated slugging percentage. He's drawn a good amount of walks with a 17.2% BB%. Meanwhile, his strikeout rate clocks in at a solid 21.3% rate.

Drafting Dreiling means you’re buying into the bat. He has displayed a good ability to draw walks and make consistent contact to all fields. He can also make some loud contact, which gives him the potential for average or better power, and can manage the strikeouts to an average degree. That gives him the potential to be an above-average hitter in the future.

But Dreiling isn’t much of a fielder. He has mostly manned left field this year, where he’s looked good but not great. He’s an above-average runner but doesn’t have the instincts for center, nor does he have the arm to play right field. However, Dreiling could remain in the outfield grass in left, but don’t rule out a move to first base, either.

Dreiling is ranked as a consensus top 100 draft prospect. He’s a decent hitter, and while he might not be the best defender in the draft, grabbing a good bat to put into the system is something the Pirates could use. If he can remain at least an average defensive outfielder, he’d be worth taking sometime early in the draft.