5 underslot college seniors that should be on the Pittsburgh Pirates’ MLB Draft radar

Eddie Micheletti

Eddie Micheletti was one of Virginia Tech’s best hitters, ranking in the top three in OPS, OBP, and home runs among their hitters with at least 150 plate appearances this season. This was after transferring from George Washington University. Along with producing well with the stick, Micheletti comes with utility at a handful of different positions.

Micheletti put up a .311/.464/.599 triple-slash with a dozen homers in 240 plate appearances. His isolated slugging percentage sat at .288. The left-handed batter drew walks 20% of the time while striking out in less than 15% of his trips to the dish (13.3%). Micheletti is 6’1”, 220, but he can also generate good pop with his quick bat.

Micheletti has some experience in the wood bat Cape Cod League. Last year, he posted a solid .274/.374/.377 line in 171 plate appearances. Although he did not hit for much power, he still drew plenty of walks with a 12.9% BB% while striking out in a minuscule 9.9% of his PAs for the Orleans Firebirds.

Micheletti has experience all over the field. He only played right field this year for Virginia Tech. However, he was utilized as a first baseman at George Washington University. Micheletti also squatted down behind the plate, appearing in 22 games as a catcher in 2021 between his time at GWU and the Appalachian League.

His numbers at the Cape Cod League were very promising. He draws walks at a healthy rate and does not strike out much. If he can carry that patient approach into pro ball while hitting for some pop, he’ll be a good batter. Where he’d play long-term is up for debate, but given his experience between corner outfield, first base, and catcher, there are certainly options for where to play him.