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

The 2023 MLB draft was not that long ago, and the 2024 draft is still about a year away, but who are some potential players the Pittsburgh Pirates could select?

The 2023 draft was not all that long ago. The Pittsburgh Pirates lucked themselves into the first overall pick because of the draft lottery, and used that pick to take Louisiana State University right-hander Paul Skenes, who then signed a record breaking $9.2 million signing bonus. They also selected some other players with talent, like Mitch Jebb and Zander Mueth.

The 2024 draft, however, is still just under a year away. Of course, a lot could change by then. Every year, players lose and gain ground in prospect stock. Back in January, Chase Dollander, and not Paul Skenes, looked like the true number one pitcher, and maybe the best pitcher in the draft since Stephen Strasburg. Dollander ended up going 9th overall to the Colorado Rockies.

Plus now with the draft lottery, we won’t know where the Pirates are picking until the Winter Meetings. The Pirates could very well end up with the number one overall pick again. Their chances aren’t very likely, but it’s still possible. They could also be selecting like tenth overall. Last year, the Cincinnati Reds finished with one of the worst records in baseball, but the only ended up with the 7th overall pick.

There are still multiple factors to weigh, many of which are far from decided yet. But despite that, let’s take an extremely way too early look at some potential players that the Pirates might draft in 2024.

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.

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.