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Pittsburgh Pirates: The 2020 Draft Class has Started to Arrive

By Nicholas Caporoso |
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The Pittsburgh Pirates 2020 MLB Draft was important for the team as it always is. However, this one was even more important as it would be the first Draft class under General Manager Ben Cherington. Of course, this was the 2020 Draft so it was shortened to just 5 rounds. Here are the players and a little write-up on how they were viewed upon being drafted:

  1. Nick Gonzales (Round 1, 7th overall): The Pirates selected Nick Gonzales, an infielder from New Mexico State University, as their first-round pick. Gonzales was highly regarded for his exceptional hitting ability and was considered one of the best college bats available in the draft.
  2. Carmen Mlodzinski (Round 1, Competitive Balance Round A, 31st overall): With their second first-round selection, the Pirates picked Carmen Mlodzinski, a right-handed pitcher from the University of South Carolina. Mlodzinski possessed a mid-90s fastball and promising secondary breaking ball, making him an intriguing pitching prospect.
  3. Jared Jones (Round 2, 44th overall): In the second round, the Pirates chose Jared Jones, a right-handed pitcher from La Mirada High School in California. Jones showcased a powerful fastball and had the potential for a solid repertoire of pitches.
  4. Nick Garcia (Round 3, 79th overall): Pittsburgh selected Nick Garcia, a right-handed pitcher from Chapman University, in the third round. Garcia had a strong college career and featured a fastball-slider combination that impressed scouts.
  5. Jack Hartman (Round 4, 108th overall): Jack Hartman, a right-handed pitcher from Appalachian State University, was taken by the Pirates in the fourth round. Hartman, a former shortstop, demonstrated a strong command of his pitches and had the potential to develop further as a pitcher.
  6. Logan Hofmann (Round 5, 138th overall): The Pirates drafted Logan Hofmann, a right-handed pitcher from Northwestern State University, in the fifth round. Hofmann possessed a mid-90s fastball and showcased the ability to miss bats effectively.

Let's take a look at what the Pittsburgh Pirates 2020 Draft Class has been up to this year.

Now there are a couple of things to look at with the 2020 Draft Class. First and foremost is that Carmen Mlodzinski is the first player to debut from that class. In a way this is not totally surprising. A college arm that has since been moved to the bullpen should be up by now.

Then there is Jared Jones who might be the best pick of this Draft class. That is why I bring him up before the first round pick. Jones has pitched to an impressive 2.23 earned run average at Double-A Altoona. He is just 21 years of age and is/should be in the conversation for being a top 100 prospect.

Nick Gonzalez will most likely be the next of the group to debut for the Pittsburgh Pirates. After a great start to his Minor League Career, Gonzales has missed a bunch of times. In 2021 he missed the whole month of June due to injury. Then in 2022, he wound up on the 60-day injured list with a heel issue that put him in a boot. This year Gonzalez is batting .260/.363/.446 although in the month of June he is batting .286/.436/.449.

There are two players from this Draft Class that the Pittsburgh Pirates have moved on from in trades. Nick Garcia was traded to the Colorado Rockies this past offseason for Connor Joe. So far a move that has worked out as Joe has shown the ability to be a solid platoon option. Jack Hartman was traded even earlier in the offseason to the Tampa Bay Rays in exchange for Ji-man Choi. A move that has not worked out as of yet due to injury.

Logan Hofmann remains with the Pittsburgh Pirates Organization. He is currently pitching at High-A for the Greensboro Grasshoppers where he spent the 2022 season as well. He was just activated at the end of May and things have not looked good for him. In 3 appearances he has given up 5 runs although only 2 were earned. This was after posting an ERA north of 6 in 26 games in 2021.

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