A moment of shock: exclusive interview with 2024 Pirates draft pick Jacob Bimbi

In the 11th round of the 2024 MLB Draft, the Pittsburgh Pirates selected Jacob Bimbi, a left-handed pitcher from Western Kentucky University. The southpaw landed with the Pirates after 323 other players were selected before him.

Bimbi pitched his senior season as a starter with Western Kentucky after transferring from Tennessee. In 2024, Bimbi went 4-2 with an earned run average of 6.09 in 54.2 innings pitched and struck out 71 batters. Opponents batted .284 against him and his WHIP sat at 1.59.

Overall, the numbers do not stand out, but he has a ton of potential the Pirates believe they can tap into, which is why they took him in the 11th round. Bimbi did not expect to be selected that early in the draft, which put him in complete shock.

"It was a good shock. I didn't expect to go for another round or two so I was actually out getting food when my name got called," Bimbi stated when asked what his initial reaction to being drafted by the Pirates was. "Once the initial shock wore off, I couldn't stop smiling. It was a great moment."

Pirates 2024 draft pick Jacob Bimbi 'shocked' to be drafted where he was

Along with being a solid prospect with a good pitch repertoire, Bimbi has other traits that help him stand out among other prospects.

When asked what his best trait that he brings to the Pirates might be, Bimbi responded, "My competitive nature and drive to get better everyday."

Bimbi wants to get to work as soon as possible. He does not want to wait until next season to begin inside the organization.

"I would love to get in and work with their strength and conditioning, along with nutrition department as I feel I could make strides in my game on that side of the game," Bimbi stated, ready for his opportunity.

Not only does Bimbi want to get better at his craft through training, but he tries to play the game similarly to other southpaws who have had success.

“ Kershaw has been my idol growing up and I modeled my game around him for the longest time,” said Bimbi. “But now I would like to compare my game to a Max Fried.”

Most kids growing up wanted to be like Kershaw, but being left-handed doesn’t come naturally to everyone. In fact, when Bimbi’s father began teaching him how to play baseball, he began throwing right-handed, but that didn’t last very long.

“My dad put me in at a young age and tried to make me a righty," Bimbi recalled. "Only took about 20 minutes to figure out I was lefty and from there I got put in tee ball around three years old.”

Baseball became a passion for Bimbi at a young age, but his favorite baseball memory happened much more recently, within the last few years. “The Junior College World Series in 2022 was an amazing experience. One of my best memories ever with the guys and I wouldn’t trade it for the world,” Bimbi stated.

Bimbi can’t wait to start his career and work his way to Pittsburgh. He wants all yinzers to know that he comes to win and wants to win it all.

Bimbi finished with, “I can’t wait to get this journey started and be a piece in bringing the next World Series win back to Pittsburgh!”

Fans will love Bimbi, as he is a competitor and wants to do nothing but win. He’s got a bright future ahead of him. He is a part of a very special draft class put together by this Pirates franchise.