Pittsburgh Pirates 2023 Draft: Team Signs 2nd Round Pick, Pitchers
The Pittsburgh Pirates have made significant additions to their farm system by signing four players from the 2023 MLB draft. These players include Mitch Jebb, a shortstop from Michigan State (2nd round), Carlson Reed, a right-handed pitcher from West Virginia (4th round), Patrick Reilly, a right-handed pitcher from Vanderbilt (5th round), and Landon Tomkins, a right-handed pitcher from Louisiana Tech (10th round).
Mitch Jebb stood out for his high contact rates and versatility. With a .337 average and .438 OBP at Michigan State, he brings valuable hitting skills to the team. Jebb's compact swing and understanding of his mechanics maximize his potential. With his combination of high contact ability and speed, he has the potential to be an everyday player and if not a then a flexible bench player.
Carlson Reed, a power pitcher from West Virginia, adds much-needed pitching depth. With a fastball that reaches 98 mph and an above-average slider and changeup, he has the tools to succeed as a starter. While he needs to improve his control, the Pirates believe in his athleticism and arm speed, making him a promising arm. With those concerns, but yet his plus stuff at the very least Reed should make for a good bullpen arm.
So the team saved against their bonus pool between both of them. They are also the highest picks signed thus far. However, the team did sign a few other top-10-round selections as well.
The Pittsburgh Pirates also signed a few other pitchers from day 2 of the 2023 Draft.
Patrick Reilly offers bullpen potential with his fastball/slider combination. Although his college numbers were not outstanding, his fastball consistently reaches 93-96 mph and occasionally touches 98 mph. His slider has both classic movement and a cutter profile. Reilly's control needs improvement, but the Pirates see him as a power reliever with refined mechanics.
Landon Tomkins, a right-handed pitcher from Louisiana Tech, has shown promise with consistent performances. He is projectable at 6'3'' and 200 pounds. He owns a career 3.92 ERA through 133 innings pitched while averaging almost a strikeout per innings at 132 for his career.
These signings highlight the Pittsburgh Pirates first wave of signings from the 2023 Draft class. While everyone waits for first-overall pick Paul Skenes to sign, continue to check back for updates on some of the other signings as well. The team has saved some bonus money, which is expected to predominantly go toward the #67 overall selection Zander Mueth. Expect more signings in the coming days.