Pittsburgh Pirates 2023 Draft: Pick #42 used to Select Mitchell Jebb

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The Pittsburgh Pirates have made their decision at pick #42 in the 2023 MLB Draft, and they have chosen shortstop Mitchell Jebb from Michigan State University. The selection of Mitch Jebb comes as a nice addition for the Pirates, as they add a talented college bat to their organization.

Jebb brings an impressive left-handed swing to the table, which has been a key factor in his success throughout his career at Michigan State. During his time with the Spartans, Jebb showcased his hitting prowess, compiling an impressive slash line of .327/.413/.464. His ability to get on base consistently, coupled with his power potential, resulted in an impressive OPS of .933 during his final collegiate season.

MLB Pipeline had ranked Jebb as the 46th-best prospect leading up to the draft, indicating his strong potential in the eyes of talent evaluators. The fact that the Pirates targeted a college bat around the projected bonus slot shows that they had a clear strategy in mind and were locked in on adding a talented hitter to their organization. I would guess they save money with this pick and will be able to take a big swing at a big bonus prospect at #67. The slot value for the pick is $2.04 million.

The selection of Mitchell Jebb at #42 demonstrates the Pirates' commitment to acquiring college players early in Drafts. As a shortstop, Jebb has the opportunity to make an impact both offensively and defensively. His left-handed swing, combined with his ability to get on base and provide some power, could make him a valuable asset in the Pirates' lineup in the future. He showed out at the ever-so-important Cape Cod League, which is something this Front Office very much considers. Jebb had a breakout performance in the Cape Cod League. In the wood-bat summer league he hit .356, on-base percentage of .429, and an OPS of .919.

The Pittsburgh Pirates announced him as a shortstop with it being more likely he moves off the position down the road. Still, it is the left-handed potential bat and athleticism to play multiple positions. Again, a college bat that could be quick to the Big League level. On the other hand, the Pittsburgh Pirates have promoted a lot of their middle infield depth to the upper levels and MLB level so this definitely fills a need in the lower minors.

With the draft selection complete, all eyes will now be on Mitchell Jebb as he begins his professional career with the Pittsburgh Pirates. The organization will undoubtedly provide him with the necessary resources and development opportunities to maximize his potential. As Jebb progresses through the minor leagues, the Pirates will hope to see his skills continue to grow, potentially paving the way for him to contribute at the major league level in the years to come.

Overall, the Pittsburgh Pirates have made an intriguing selection at pick #42, adding Mitchell Jebb, a talented left-handed-hitting shortstop, to their organization. With his impressive college stats and high ranking by MLB Pipeline, Jebb has the potential to become an exciting player for the Pirates in the future.

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