Today's Draft will Explain A Lot

Did the Pirates trade McClouth to be able spend top dollars in the draft and to help sign Miguel Sano? Will the Pirates select yet another pitcher in this draft, hoping to break a string of first round busts? Will the Pirates sacrifice talent and sign a cheap prospect in the first round? These are just a few of the questions circling around the Pirates today as they get ready for today's draft. This draft can go so many directions, I am going crazy at the different scenarios!

Who do I want? Well, I want Dustin Ackley, as stated in a previous post, he is the best all around hitter. The problem is he would have to get by Seattle and San Diego to even have that be a possibility. As of this morning, all mock drafts have Ackley going to Seattle with the second pick. The only reason that there is a slight chance Ackley is not the pick is because Seattle has a lot of pitchers that are free agents at the end of the season. They may want to add a stud pitcher in either Aaron Crow or Tanner Scheppers. I do not see that happening, but there is a chance.

Will we draft cheap? Rumors out of Pirates camp is that the Buccos are looking at Boston College catcher Tony Sanchez. A player the Pirates view as one that will be economical to sign, but most of all, easy to sign. There is a report that Sanchez met with Pirates management, but no word of the discussion. Sanchez is a serviceable player. He hit .317 with 24 homers, and 124 RBI's in 161 games at Boston College. The problem though is he is not worth the fourth pick in the draft. He is the best catching prospect in this year's draft, but not one of the top four prospects in my opinion. May mock drafts have him going late in the first round to either Boston or Tampa Bay.

The Pirates have 3 selections in the top 60 picks. They select 4, 49, and 53. The Pirates thinking is that they can select two talented arms with the latter two selections. There is even talk about the Pirates using their first three selections on arms, this way if one doesn't pan out, the draft is not wasted and quality pitching is still obtained.

On May 28, I predicted the Pirates would take North Carolina pitcher Alex White. I am sticking with the prediction I made earlier. White had an excellent start in the super regional game last week. He is the closest pitcher to a sure thing in the draft. His fastball and slider are pitches that can get batters out at the big league level. I see the Pirates selecting three straight pitchers with their top selections. Unless, Ackley falls...please baseball gods let this happen! If that happens, Pirates jump to select Ackley and take pitchers with their next two picks. Unfortunately, I just can't see Ackley falling, so if I was the GM I would take 3 straight pitchers.

I will have an update for you after the draft, highlighting those chosen by the Buccos and my thoughts on the selections. As for today sit back, enjoy the draft, but also root on our beloved Penguins....We Believe!