Pittsburgh Pirates: Way Too Early Look at Potential 2024 Draft Picks

Nick Kurtz

Nick Kurtz is very much a possibility, even through a way too early lens. Kurtz isn’t projected to go as the number one overall pick. But he should still land within the top ten. On top of that, Kurtz is a fairly local kid. Born March 11th, 2003, Kurtz is a native of Lancaster. Kurtz is currently attending Wake Forest University, the silver finalist in the 2023 College World Series.

Kurtz has been nothing short of astounding with the bat for Wake Forest. Through 524 college plate appearances, the first baseman is slashing .345/.499/.708. Kurtz’s OBP and slugging percentage wouldn’t look out of place on the back of a Barry Bonds card. Kurtz has gone yard 39 times, which is a rate of 48 homers per 650 plate appearances.

While Kurtz might be a big slugging first baseman, he’s shown off an outstanding eye at the plate and the patience to match. He’s struck out just 88 times for a 16.8% strikeout rate, while also drawing 111 walks for a 21.2% walk rate. You’re not just getting a big slugger with little plate discipline but still has issues making contact.

Kurtz is also a fair athlete. He’s 6’5”, 235 pounds, but can more than hold his weight defensively over at first base. There’s little question about his raw power. He posted some excellent exit velocity numbers in his college career thus far. The offensive ceiling here is extremely high. While he might be a first baseman through and through, there’s no reason to believe he won’t at least be a solid one.

Tommy White

Tommy White made headlines in 2022 after his monstrous season at North Carolina State University. He then entered the transfer portal, and joined LSU, creating what was essentially the college version of the 1920s Yankees’ murderers’ row between him, Dylan Crews, Jared Jones, Gavin Dugas, and Cade Beloso. All had at least 14 home runs and an OPS 1.050 or higher.

Between his dominant season at NC State and LSU, White is a .368/.429/.740 college slasher. White hasn’t walked as much as Kurtz with an 8% walk rate, though he’s struck out less with a 15.8% strikeout rate. However, White has mashed the baseball to an unbelievable degree. He’s already hit 51 home runs in 576 college plate appearances. He has an isolated slugging percentage of .372.

White mostly played third base for LSU. However, he played more first base and DH for NC State. Although he might have a solid arm, the range limits his fielding prowess over at the hot corner. There’s always a risk when you take a guy who’s limited at his primary position in college already. But oh boy, the bat has been nothing short of fun to watch.

White may have the best hit+power tools in next year’s draft. You’d like to see him take a few more walks, however. An 8% walk rate isn’t terrible, especially considering he avoids strikeouts like the plague, but his overall offensive ceiling might be higher than Kurtz. Though his offensive floor might be a tad lower.

Jac Caglianone

Do you want a player with a Shohei Ohtani ceiling? Because if you do, Jac Caglianone is the guy to draft. The University of Florida DH/SP had an astounding season in his second season, with him and Wyatt Langford creating one of the deadliest 1-2 punches in college baseball. He also started a handful of games for Florida in their run to the College World Series.

As a batter, Caglianone slashed .323/.389/.738. Soley playing DH and LHP, Caglianone hit 33 dingers in 319 plate appearances. His isolated slugging percentage was over .400 at a monstrous .415 mark. Caglianone did not have a great walk rate, only drawing ball four at a 5.3% rate. His strikeout rate was also a tad high at 18.2%. But there aren’t many players who hit 30+ home runs and started at least a dozen games in college.

While Caglianone might have the potential to be the next Ohanti, his pitching prowess is far less refined. In 74.2 innings, Caglianone had a 4.34 ERA, 1.42 WHIP, and 1.58 K:BB ratio. While Caglianone only allowed six home runs and struck out 25.3% of opponents, he also had a horrendous 16.1% walk rate. The amount of free passes he regularly gave up bit him in the back more than once.

Caglianone has massive power potential, both at the plate and on the mound. He has plus-plus raw power from the left side of the dish, while also pumping mid-upper-90s heat. Though he’s currently suffering from many of the issues you typically see from big sluggers and hard throwers: mediocre command and some contact issues.

Caglianone could easily play himself into a top three draft spot. Next year will be a big year for the LHP/DH. If he starts to get his electric stuff under wraps, and makes better swing decisions, he could very well end up as one of the draft’s best players. Though as of right now, he’d probably only go top ten.