With the Pittsburgh Pirates making three picks on day one of the draft, the Pirates focused on pitching and defense on Day two picking up eight more players. The pool is highlighted by one of the best defensive short stops In all of college baseball.
Day two of the MLB Amateur Draft was last night and the Pittsburgh Pirates stuck to a philosophy they have used for the past several drafts. You can never have enough pitching, and defense is a priority. Day two saw the Pirates pick a number of defensive minded players who can hit for average as well as picking up some power arms on the mound.
On day one of the draft, the Pirates selected three players including third baseman Will Craig (22nd overall), left handed pitcher Nick Lodolo (first round compensation pick), and right handed pitcher Travis MacGregor (2nd round pick). All three of these guys play at a very high level and look to add depth to the Pirates minor league system.
However, in rounds 3-10, the Pirates have stuck to a philosophy that has helped them build three straight playoff contending teams. Go after guys who can play defense and hit for average, and stock pile on pitching talent. The Pirates have seen this philosophy work with the emergence of guys like Gerrit Cole, Jameson Taillon, Andrew McCutchen, and Starling Marte.
In round three of the draft, the Pirates selected short stop Stephen Alemais from Tulane University. Alemais has been regarded several times as one of the best defensive short stops in this year's draft class, and he will fit in nicely to a spot where the Pirates lack some depth. Looking at Alemais's numbers, he comes from the same talents as the Pirates last two short stop picks in Cole Tucker and Kevin Newman.
In his junior season at Tulane, Alemais hit .311 with one home run and 28 RBI in 53 games played. He also stole 19 bases and was caught stealing five times. He has shown the ability to get on base consistently with a .368 on base percentage and and OPS of .768.
Defense is Alemais's claim to fame, however, is on the defensive side of the ball. He has been highly regarded as one of the best defensive short stops in this draft class by draft experts. Although he committed 16 errors last spring, he has made some sparkling plays that all but make up for the errors he commits. With some grooming in the minors, He can grow and become the best defensive short stop he can be.
In the fourth round the Pirates went back to pitching when they selected Braeden Ogle out of Jensen Beach High School (Florida). Ogle was ranked as the number 86 prospect in this year's draft class and he has a lot of upside with a fast ball that is said to be able to reach up to 96 miles per hour.
In his senior season at Jensen Beach HS, Ogle went 5-1 with a 1.40 ERA striking out 59 batters in just 35 innings of work. Ogle blew his blazing fastball by high school hitters and dominated the high school level.
Ogle was the third high school arm picked in the first five rounds by the Pirates joining Lodolo and MacGregor. All high school arms need some refinement, and all three of these players will get to spend time with the short season West Virginia Black Bears if they sign and can show what they can do.
In rounds five and six the Pirates stuck with pitching as they drafted righty Blake Cederlind from Merced College and lefty Cam Vieaux from Michigan State. Cederlind finished 5-2 with a 3.75 ERA while striking out 63 over 57 innings of work, and Vieaux finished With a 2.28 ERA in 15 appearances.
Both pitchers have a high 90s fastball and the college arm is intriguing. They will both more than likely report to Bradenton once they are signed on and will begin training in the Pirates system.
The Pirates would finish the day drafting catcher Brent Gibbs from Central Arizona, pitcher Dylan Prohoroff from Cal State Fullerton centerfielder Clark Eagan, and pitcher Matthew Anderson.
The draft continues today with the final rounds of the draft. Coverage begins on MLB network this afternoon.
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