Pirates stay young with final two selections on first night of 2024 MLB Draft

After the first night of the 2024 MLB Draft, the Pirates have a clear image of what their future will look like. Their first night was headlined by Konnor Griffin, the team's first round pick. After that, they decided to go with another two high schoolers. Ben Cherington appears to be preparing a big group to all develop together and join the team in the future at the same time. Let's get to know who these new Pirate prospects are.

After the Pirates selected Konnor Griffin, who else did they select on night one of the MLB Draft?

Levi Sterling, Right-Handed Pitcher

With the Pirates' competitive balance pick, they selected 18-year-old right-hander Levi Sterling. The 58th overall prospect for the draft is committed to Texas, but should join the Pirates in the Florida Complex League at some point this summer.

Sterling is a solid prospect, as he has an advanced pitch repertoire. His fastball sits around 92, topping 94, with good spin rates and is graded a 55. His curveball is his best pitch, being graded at 60 with command. His slider is more of a sweeper and is graded a 55. His changeup is still not completely developed, but is still graded a 50. His control is also graded a 50, which makes him a 50 overall prospect.

In his senior season, Sterling posted a 2.62 earned run average in 45.1 innings pitched and struck out 55 batters. Opponents batted .177 against him and he also had a WHIP of 1.04.

If the Pirates can get him signed, this could turn out to be a solid draft pick.

The Pirates' second-round pick has big league bloodlines within the organization, as his father played in Pittsburgh.

Wyatt Sanford, Shortstop

Family ties connect the new Pirates' second-round pick, Wyatt Sanford, to Pittsburgh. In 1998, Chance Sanford, Wyatt's father, played in 14 games with the Pirates. He did not turn out to be a star in Pittsburgh, but the opposite could be true with Wyatt.

The 35th prospect in this year's draft is an incredible baserunner, with a 60-graded run tool, and an elite defender, with a 60-graded fielding tool, along with a 55 graded arm. His hitting is what holds him back from being an elite prospect, as his hit tool is graded a 50 and his power is graded a 40. This makes him a 50 overall prospect.

He has a gap-to-gap approach and has great plate discipline, but results have not followed him. Scouts believe that he needs to "rework his setup in pro ball," but overall is a great prospect.

Both of these selections are not bad in any way. This is an expensive first round, but they could find a lot of sneaky solid college players later on. Some of these players will be similar to Charles McAdoo, the Pirates' 13th-round draft pick in 2023, who has been one of the best hitters in the Pirates' minor leagues this season.

These players are still teenagers, but there is a lot to like. A bright future for the Pirates awaits.