Mock drafting the first three picks Pittsburgh Pirates’ 2024 draft

Round One

JJ Wetherholt

When it comes to position players, Ben Cherington always loves to take the best pure hitter it seems. This year, that looks like it could be JJ Wetherholt. The West Virginia University infielder has been great throughout his college career. His injury from earlier this year could bump him down in the draft just far enough to still be on the board when the Pirates are selecting their first pick.

At the time of writing this, Wetherholt has 599 career plate appearances in college, batting .375/.472/.627. He has hit for decent power with 24 home runs and a .252 isolated slugging percentage, but most his his extra-base hits are doubles. He has 46 two-baggers. Wetherholt is an above-average runner who has been an aggressive base stealer in college. He's attempted 70 steals and has been successful 54 times.

So far this year, he's only been limited to 85 plate appearances because of a hamstring injury, but when healthy, he's slashing .328/.506/.569. He already has three home runs and five doubles, as well as going 3/3 in stolen base attempts. But the most impressive part of this small sample size has been his plate discipline.

Wetherholt has drawn 20 walks in 18 games. Even better is that he's only struck out eight times. He missed a good chunk of the season, but that still amounts to a 23.5% walk rate and 9.4% strikeout rate. This isn't the first year he's drawn more walks than strikeouts, as he had a 26:23 BB:K ratio in 2023 with WVU.

Wetherholt has mostly played shortstop this year but has more career games logged at second base and third base. He also has some experience in the outfield corners but hasn't played any innings in the grass since 2021. Defensively, there's a chance he could stick at shortstop, as he has the speed and arm to do so. But if he had to move to another position, he could definitely play wherever needed.

Wetherholt has a smooth left-handed swing. He should, at the very least, hit for fringe above-average power with a strong chance to hit for well above-average power. Wetherholt hasn't had much trouble hitting for pop in wood-bat summer collegiate leagues like the Northwoods League or Cape Cod League. He has played in 20 games between the two leagues with a dozen XBH. He's been able to drive the ball all over the field and make contact at an extremely high rate. It also helps that he's displayed a fantastic eye at the dish.

Many have Wetherholt going somewhere between the 10th and the 8th pick in the first round. Given the Pirates have the 9th overall selection, it's very possible that Wetherholt is still on the board when the Bucs are on the clock. Adding Wetherholt gives the Pirates the big college hitter this system needs, plus he'd easily be the best player available, assuming something crazy doesn't happen, like Braden Montgomery, Nick Kurtz, or Jac Caglianone are somehow still on the board.

Competitive Balance Round A Pick

Jacob Cozart

The Pirates shouldn't just settle with one college position player with their first three picks. At least two have to fall into this category. With their second pick of the draft, the Pirates should consider North Carolina State backstop Jacob Cozart. Cozart has the potential to be both an above-average hitter and fielder from the catching position.

Cozart has gotten better each and every year at NC State. As of right now, he has 185 plate appearances and is hitting .304/.432/.558. Cozart's dozen home runs already trumps his 2023 total of ten but in 43 fewer plate appearances. While he's kept up a similar strikeout rate from '23 at 16.7% (compared to 16.2% last year), he's upped his walk percentage from 10.5% to 18.4% so far into 2024.

Cozart stands at 6'3", 220 pounds and he uses his large frame to generate good raw power. He has 20 home run potential. His approach at the plate has improved in each of his college seasons, and it's showing via better on-field production. He could end up with an average hit tool with above-average power production. Defensively, he is a good backstop whose framing has improved. He's also shown little to no issues throwing runners out. 

Most have Cozart ranked as a top 30-40 draft prospect, and with the Pirates having the 37th overall pick, the backstop could definitely still be on the board when the Bucs are selecting during the competitive balance round A pick. Selecting Cozart would give the Pirates another top college player to add to the system.

Round Two

Josh Hartle

Even though the Pirates need position players, it wouldn't be a Ben Cherington draft if he didn't take a soft-tossing left-handed pitcher at some point. Josh Hartle is one of the many talented pitchers at Wake Forest who will likely end up going very early in this year's draft. Hartle has great command and while he doesn't hit the upper 90s, is definitely a pitcher who I think could thrive under the Pirates' current pitching development.

Hartle hasn't had a great 2024 season. He's pitched 52.1 innings, working to a 5.68 ERA, 1.70 WHIP, and 2.8 K:BB ratio for Wake Forest. He's allowed nearly two home runs per nine innings at 1.89, and his 22.5% strikeout rate does not jump off the page. At the very least, he still has an 8% walk rate so far.

The southpaw only averages 90-92 MPH, topping out at 94, but the way he throws the ball gives it good sinking action and makes it play above its velocity. His best secondary pitch is his sweeper, but he'll also mix in a curveball and cutter, both of which look like they have the potential to at least be average offerings. His primary off-speed pitch is a change-up.

Hartle has projectability on his side as he stands at 6'5", 210 pounds, so there's a chance he adds a few ticks of velocity as he develops. A lanky left-hander, his arm motion is a bit whippy, but he commands his stuff very well. 

Again, Cherington and co. love lefties who don't throw hard and are all about command and finesse. I'm excited to see what similar arms like Anthony Solometo and Hunter Barco eventually do in the Majors because of how well they've brought along older veterans. Given this, I think Hartle could do extremely well with the Pirates.