Pittsburgh Pirates 2023 Draft: Two More College Pitchers in Rounds 5 and 6

In rounds 5 and 6 of the draft the Pittsburgh Pirates selected two more college pitchers, both out of the SEC

As the 2023 MLB Draft carries on the Pittsburgh Pirates continue to make their selections. In the 5th round, at no. 140 overall in the draft, the Pirates selected Patrick Reilly. Reilly is a right-handed pitcher out of Vanderbilt University.

Reilly posted a 5.77 ERA to go with 30 walks, 65 strikeouts, and 6 home runs allowed 48.1 innings pitched with Vanderbilt this season. The 6-foot-3, 215 pound righty finished his Vanderbilt career with a 5.25 ERA, 93 walks, and 187 strikeouts in 144 innings pitched.

Reilly has also pitched in the Cape Cod League, and if one thing has been made clear in Ben Cherington's draft it's the value he places on Cape Cod League experience. In 40.1 career innings in the Cape, Reilly has posted a 2.90 ERA, while issuing 23 walks and striking out 34.

Entering the 2020 draft Reilly was rated as the no. 103 prospect, but went undrafted. Reilly throws a fastball, changeup, and slider. The fastball is his best pitch and sits in the 93-95 MPH range. He throws two sliders, one in the mid-80s and one that sits high-80s ot low-90s.

Reilly's changeup is his least used pitch. He is primarily a fastball/slider pitcher. His long-term makeup is that of a relief pitcher.

6th round pick

In round 6 Cherington once again took a SEC pitcher, this time going with Alabama left-handed pitcher Hunter Furtado. In 36 innings pitched this past season, Furtado posted a 4.75 ERA while allowing 2 home runs, issuing 17 walks, and striking out 38.

Furtado was a late bloomer. Prior to this spring, he was not really on draft boards. This was Furtado's second season at Alabama after beginning his collegiate career at Wake Forest. Furtado throws a fastball, slider, and a changeup, but the fastball and slider are by far his two best pitches. MLB Pipeline gives his fastball a 55 grade and his slider a 60 grade.

His fastball sits in the 94-96 MPH range and has touched 98 MPH. There could be some room for added velocity there as well. His slider comes in with sweep and depth, and his arm slot gives his fastball good run.

Looking long-term Furtado is an intriguing relief pitching prospect. There is certainly a scenario where Furtado quickly develops into one of the best relief pitching prospects in the Pirate farm system, especially as a lefty.