Wasted pick to take any SS. With YDLS starting 2025 at A and the possibility of Konnor Griffin starting at A or A+ based on his performance in ST, with Sanford and Rynders at FCL/A, it will be crowded enough. But, it all depends on what is available when the Pirates pick at #6. Be nice if the Pirates could swing a trade that would also include a Competitive Balance Round A Pick.
BPA! That’s it, but if you want to debate it taking a surefire SS that can hit is going to have more value than say the 2nd baseman from TN that you are advocating for.
YDLS can’t hit unless he’s in short season and Griffin may be a CF. It’s absurdly stupid to say “don’t draft a SS because these pair of guys might be ready in five years.”
I mentioned this before -- Houston doesn't seem to me to be a Pirates kind of guy, at least not in the first round. Without implying approval or disapproval, they seem to be searching for some sort of profile that'll provide offensive upside, when they draft hitters that early. Nick G and Termarr were supposed to have one super-loud tool, same with Davis. (Those haven't worked out like that so far, but I'm just thinking about strategy and not execution.) Then Griffin, who has crazy tools.
I also wonder whether the idea of great athleticism that appears to be working well with arms has spilled over into the hitter area, meaning of course Griffin.
Not really seeing Houston as a successor to these guys, in a strategy sort of way, but then four draft picks is a mighty small sample.
Billy Carlson looks good. Two-way player. No idea whether he could drop to 6.
Dean Curley? Doubt they’d care that scouts think he’ll move off SS. They seem to go for the qualities they like without obsessing over positions.
Stuff I’ve read about Holliday’s hit tool is scary, especially putting him in the Pirates’ system.
Jace isn’t hitting like expected. If he straightens out, he’ll be gone. If not, a gamble like that seems un-Piratey when it’s round one. They do that in later rounds.
One of the most important aspects of Liam Doyle of UT is that he is a LHSP throwing in the 90's. He averages about 93, but has hit 97/98.
Next draft pick on that team for me would be Gavin Kilen, LH hitter who can hit for average and power who is playing 2B for the Vols. You mentioned his BB/K numbers so far of 16/3, but they have been seeing a steady parade of teams from the North just getting into the sun, and some VG small schools from TN and GA. Pitching was not the caliber they will see in the SEC. He played his first two years at Louisville in the ACC, playing almost the whole season of 2024 at SS. As a Freshman he played both 2B and SS. 3rd team All-ACC last year at SS, and 2 years on the All-Academic Team in the ACC, which takes some smarts! State Champion in HS in Wisconsin.
BA mock draft has the buccos taking Marek Houston, SS-Wake Forest
Wasted pick to take any SS. With YDLS starting 2025 at A and the possibility of Konnor Griffin starting at A or A+ based on his performance in ST, with Sanford and Rynders at FCL/A, it will be crowded enough. But, it all depends on what is available when the Pirates pick at #6. Be nice if the Pirates could swing a trade that would also include a Competitive Balance Round A Pick.
BPA! That’s it, but if you want to debate it taking a surefire SS that can hit is going to have more value than say the 2nd baseman from TN that you are advocating for.
YDLS can’t hit unless he’s in short season and Griffin may be a CF. It’s absurdly stupid to say “don’t draft a SS because these pair of guys might be ready in five years.”
Best player available! Can't draft for need in baseball.
I mentioned this before -- Houston doesn't seem to me to be a Pirates kind of guy, at least not in the first round. Without implying approval or disapproval, they seem to be searching for some sort of profile that'll provide offensive upside, when they draft hitters that early. Nick G and Termarr were supposed to have one super-loud tool, same with Davis. (Those haven't worked out like that so far, but I'm just thinking about strategy and not execution.) Then Griffin, who has crazy tools.
I also wonder whether the idea of great athleticism that appears to be working well with arms has spilled over into the hitter area, meaning of course Griffin.
Not really seeing Houston as a successor to these guys, in a strategy sort of way, but then four draft picks is a mighty small sample.
Who do you think that would be in the current crop? Jace, if he’s there? Holliday?
Billy Carlson looks good. Two-way player. No idea whether he could drop to 6.
Dean Curley? Doubt they’d care that scouts think he’ll move off SS. They seem to go for the qualities they like without obsessing over positions.
Stuff I’ve read about Holliday’s hit tool is scary, especially putting him in the Pirates’ system.
Jace isn’t hitting like expected. If he straightens out, he’ll be gone. If not, a gamble like that seems un-Piratey when it’s round one. They do that in later rounds.
Yessir. And if that’s a college arm like Bremner, well so be it!
One of the most important aspects of Liam Doyle of UT is that he is a LHSP throwing in the 90's. He averages about 93, but has hit 97/98.
Next draft pick on that team for me would be Gavin Kilen, LH hitter who can hit for average and power who is playing 2B for the Vols. You mentioned his BB/K numbers so far of 16/3, but they have been seeing a steady parade of teams from the North just getting into the sun, and some VG small schools from TN and GA. Pitching was not the caliber they will see in the SEC. He played his first two years at Louisville in the ACC, playing almost the whole season of 2024 at SS. As a Freshman he played both 2B and SS. 3rd team All-ACC last year at SS, and 2 years on the All-Academic Team in the ACC, which takes some smarts! State Champion in HS in Wisconsin.