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

During Day 1 of the 2024 MLB Draft, the Pittsburgh Pirates went with three high school players. Those include shortstop/outfielder Konnor Griffin, right-handed pitcher Levi Sterling, and infielder Wyatt Sanford. The Pirates went with high-upside players on Day 1. However, most of the time, high school players sign overslot deals. Teams need to pry them away from their college commitments. 

That means the Pirates will need to save money later in the draft if they plan on signing their top three selections. That’s not even considering any other high schoolers they take. The best way to save money for other draft picks is to take college seniors. So, who are some senior players the Pirates should keep on their draft radar for Days 2 and 3?

Caleb Cozart

Caleb Cozart is a feel-good story with a big bat out of UNC Greensboro. The 1B/RHP found out he had a brain tumor in 2021. He continued playing through the tumor and put up some impressive numbers with the bat last year. If you want a guy who could provide some thump in a lineup, Cozart is the guy to go after.

Through 249 plate appearances, Cozart batted .332/.474/.742. He walked (41) more often than he struck out (38) while going yard 22 times. Cozart had an isolated slugging percentage over .400 at .410. Cozart is a big kid, listed at a hulking 6’5”, 260 pounds. But that big of a frame only leaves first base and designated hitter as realistic options for him. 

Cozart also has some experience on the mound. He pitched 76.1 innings throughout college, albeit with a poor 7.55 ERA, 1.86 WHIP, and 1.32 K:BB ratio. Cozart walked 11.9% of opponents with a 15.7% K%. He was also prone to allowing the long ball, posting a 1.42 HR/9 rate as an amateur.

Caleb is the brother of Jacob Cozart, who was taken 48th overall by the Cleveland Guardians this year. Meanwhile, Caleb could soon find himself with a team in the coming days. While "first base or bust" guys are certainly risks, especially one with a long swing like Cozart, he certainly is built to hit bombs, and should at least be on the Bucs' Day 3 radar, especially if the Pirates are still looking to save a few bucks for their high school draftees.

Drew Woodcox

One of Texas Tech’s best batters last year was corner outfielder Drew Woodcox. Woodcox had the best OPS and SLG% and the second-most home runs of any Red Raider. Baseball America and Prospects Live both named Woodcox a top senior in this year’s draft class.

Woodcox finished out his 2024 season batting .321/.403/.642 with 14 dingers. He struck out in 20.3% of his 192 plate appearances and drew walks at a 12% rate. Woodcox hit for a decent amount of pop. Along with over a dozen homers, his isolated slugging percentage was well over .300, clocking in at .321. Prospects Live mentions that Woodcox has a chase rate sitting around just 20% with average contact rates. He was pitched around a lot and was in the bottom 20% in strikes.

Woodcox’s numbers in the Northwoods League, a wood-bat collegiate summer league, add an extremely promising angle to his resumé. Through 186 plate appearances, Woodcox batted .329/.414/.642. Despite using a wood bat, Woodcox hit for good power with ten homers and a .274 isolated slugging percentage. The league average ISO was just .104. The outfielder drew walks at a 12.4% rate with an above-average 17.2% K%.

While Woodcox is a good athlete, he’s a below average runner with fringy arm strength. He has experience between all three outfield spots, but he started his career out as a first baseman. In 2021 and 2022, Woodcox played 28 games at first. Given his lack of great range, he’d likely see more time back at first base as gets into pro ball.

Woodcox is a bat-first prospect, but someone who has already had success in a wood-bat league. That’s going to stand out for teams, as it shows his raw power can play. Woodcox would be a great senior draftee for the Pirates if he continues to make good swing decisions, make contact at an average rate, and show some utility by playing corner outfield and first base.

Hunter Cranton

University of Kansas right-handed reliever Hunter Cranton seems to be the consensus best senior draft prospect. Baseball America has him listed as the best, while Prospects Live also has him as their favorite senior. If Cranton is that good, then the Pirates should definitely have him on their draft radar ,because we all know how much they like taking pitching in the draft.

Cranton struggled in 2023, pitching both out of the rotation and bullpen, but turned in an excellent 2024 as a reliever. He tossed 25 frames, saving seven games while posting a 2.16 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, and 4.22 K:BB ratio. Cranton walked batters at an 8.7% rate while striking them out over a third of the time with a 36.5% K%. He also was not home run prone, only allowing two home runs, resulting in an HR/9 of 0.72.

Cranton has a fastball that can hit 99-100 MPH, consistently sitting in the mid/upper-90s. According to Prospects Live, his fastball sits at 17.5 inches of induced vertical break, and he’s locating it at the top of the zone better. His slider sits in the upper 80s with better movement than last year. Cranton’s arm action is similar to that of Pirates’ relief prospect David Matoma in the way he brings the ball back and up in his delivery.

If a team wanted to, they could move Cranton through the minor leagues with haste and get him into the big leagues as soon as this year. The stuff already plays at a high level. If that’s the case, then maybe the Pirates can find a reliever that can help this year in the draft. 

Chris Cannizzaro

Micheletti isn’t the only senior from Virginia Tech who put up some impressive numbers in his final season. Outfielder Chris Cannizzaro has batted well over .300 throughout his college career while rarely striking out. Although his approach makes his profile risky, you can’t deny that it’s worked so far and could make him an interesting pick-up for the Pirates.

Cannizzaro slashed .346/.414/.626 through 209 plate appearances. Although not known for his huge power, he hit a career-high dozen homers with a .280 isolated slugging percentage this past season. However, the real attraction to Cannizzaro is his ability to make contact at a high rate and rack up a ton of hits.

This is the second year in a row Cannizzaro has batted over .330. His career batting average is .335. He struck out in just 11.5% of his plate appearances and can expand the zone. According to Baseball America, he made contact on fastballs 88% of the time this spring. Unfortunately, this approach leads to a mediocre walk rate. Cannizzaro has a career BB% of just 7.9% and he clocked in at 8.6% this year.

Cannizzaro mostly played left field in college, but has experience in all three outfield positions. His ability to make contact at such a high rate and spray hits all over the field makes him an intriguing fifth-year senior to consider taking. While he may never hit for much power, Cannizzaro gives you the chance to grab an outfielder who can consistently put up a good batting average.