Pittsburgh Pirates: The Door Closed on the 2017 Draft

Shane Baz: A Lost Gem

Let's start with their first-round pick, Shane Baz. Selected 12th overall, Baz was seen as a potential ace pitcher who could anchor the Pirates' rotation for years to come. However, before he even had the chance to make a single appearance in a Pirates uniform, he was traded to the Tampa Bay Rays in the deal that brought Chris Archer to Pittsburgh. Obviously, we all know how the pitchers in this deal worked out, as Baz became one of the best pitching prospects in Baseball and Archer found himself on the cusp of out of Baseball.

The Pittsburgh Pirates had 3 other selections on day 1 of the 2017 draft.

Stephen Jennings: A Forgotten Name

Competitive balance pick Stephen Jennings was another disappointment from the 2017 draft class. Jennings, a right-handed pitcher, never lived up to the hype and was eventually no longer part of the Pirates' organization. His journey through the minors was marred by inconsistency and injuries, leaving fans wondering what could have been.

Connor Uselton: A Short-Lived Career

Supplemental B pick, outfielder Connor Uselton, looked to be a really intriguing prospect out of the Draft. However, his minor league career was cut short after just 45 games. Uselton's decision to give up baseball after a series of injuries. This was a tough blow to the Pittsburgh Pirates, as they had hoped he would develop into a key contributor.