Pirates Weighing Options with 8th Overall Pick

Major League baseball released the schedule of events for this years draft a few hours ago. Most teams are pretty aware of who they will select with the draft set for June 4-6. The Pirates are in unfamilar territory however, drafting at 8th overall as they have been in the top 5 for the previous 6 seasons. Consensus around the league is that this years crop of young talent is not very deep, but will still provide many talented major leaguers for years to come. With many of our former first round selections making an impact today, the Pirates will look to continue their early round success with this years class.

Pitching Prospects are dominating the top 20 of most expert big boards. However two Shortstops are also on the list and I feel the Bucs must address this position if they are able to. Carlos Correa, a SS from Puerto Rico Baseball Academy, is being projected anywhere from number 1 to number 12 pick depending on where you read.

 He is an excellent defensive shortstop, and standing at 6'4 is projected to be a power hitter with potential through the roof. Some scouts say he may have to move to third base, but what did the scouts say about Neil Walker? That he couldn't field, which we all know to be false. Correa would be the perfect fit for an organization lacking middle infielders all throughout their farm system. 

Ranked behind Correa is Devin Marrero, a SS from Arizona State University. He is slipping on most big boards with his average around .280 this season after batting .397 his freshman season, a team record. Another great defensive player, Marrero has shown he can also put the ball in play striking out at an unbelievably low rate. With help from the coaching staff he can emerge into a great everyday shortstop. Once again with the organization so tight on infielders, I believe one of these two players will be available for the Pirates in this years draft.

Drafting another Power arm wouldn't be the worst thing in the world, but we already have Cole and Taillon lighting it up in AAA. It's time to start loading up some hitting prospects as well.

Written by Rick Bauer