Pittsburgh Pirates Take RHP Zander Mueth With Competitive Balance Pick

The Pittsburgh Pirates have selected Zander Mueth out Belleville East High School of with the 67th overall pick, and their competitive balance pick for this year's draft.

After taking Paul Skenes in the first round and Mitch Jebb in the second round, the Pittsburgh Pirates have decided to take right-handed pitcher Zander Mueth out of Belleville East High School with the 67th overall pick in the draft, and their competitive balance pick. Mueth is their second high schooler and their second right-handed pitcher of the draft. The Pirates will now have to pry Mueth from his college commitment to Ole Miss.

Mueth is a big right-hander, standing at 6'6", 205-LBS. Mueth has drawn comparrisons to Boston Red Sox right-hander Tanner Houck, for his similarly low arm-slot. Mueth throws with good velocity. His four-seam fastball clocks in around 92-94 MPH already, and tops out at 97. On top of above average velocity for a teenager, he also throws it with some sink.

Mueth has two secondary offerings. His breaking pitch is a slider, one that sits in the low-80s with sweeping action. It's a second offering with above average potential. His third pitch is a change-up, coming in the mid-80s, and with more sink than his four-seamer. His low arm slot adds deception to his stuff as well.

The only downside is his command started to waiver last season. He had some trouble locating during his senior season. But with him being just 18 years old, there's plenty of time between now and then for Mueth to develop his command. He could conceviably reach a fringe-above average level, at his peak.

This marks the first high schooler the Pirates will take in the 2023 draft. The Pirates will start the second day of the draft off with the 73rd overall pick, and the third pick of the day. Stay tuned as we will provide coverage for the next rounds as the Pirates continue to add more young talent to the system.