MLB Draft

Pirates Draft Tracker — Day 2 (Rounds 3-10)

Published

6 months ago

July 15, 2024

The Pittsburgh Pirates opened their 2024 draft by selecting high school shortstop Konnor Griffin with the ninth pick in the first round on Sunday night.

The Pirates then made two more picks on day one. Prep right-hander Levi Sterling was the 37th pick and Pittsburgh once again with a prep shortstop in the second round — No. 47 overall — by taking Wyatt Sanford.

The Pirates will make eight selections on the second day of the draft, which consists of rounds 3-10. Follow along for updates on all the Pirates’ selections on day two.

Round 3 Pick 83: Josh Hartle, LHP, Wake Forest

For the first time during the 2024 draft, the Pirates dipped into the college ranks in taking Hartle from Wake Forest.

After posting an 11-2 record with a 2.81 ERA and 140 strikeouts in 102.1 innings for the Demon Deacons in 2023, Hartle regressed this past season. The 21-year-old went 6-3 with a 5.79 ERA and struck out 81 batters in 74.1 innings.

According to Pipeline, Hartle has fairly average offerings in his arsenal. His best pitch is a 55-grade slider but his low-90s fastball rates as a below-average pitch. The left-hander’s stuff played much better during his sophomore season last year. In addition to his slider and fastball, Hartle also features a cutter and changeup.

Round 4 Pick 112: Eddie Rynders, SS, Wisconsin (High School)

For the third time through their first five picks, the Pirates went with a high school shortstop.

Though he has solid tools across the board, there isn’t one that really stands out yet. However, Rynders is already listed at 6-foot-2 and 195 pounds, signaling there might be some power potential from the left side of the plate. He might have to move to third base as a professional.

Rynders, a native of Milwaukee, Wis., is committed to play collegiately at Kent State. Pipeline ranks him as the 229th-best prospect.

Round 5 Pick 145: Will Taylor, OF, Clemson

Taylor was viewed as a first-round talent coming out of high school in 2021 but opted to play both baseball and football at Clemson.

The 21-year-old appeared in 32 games with the Tigers this season before a season-ending broken wrist. He hit .230 with a .465 on-base percentage and hit seven home runs. He broke out during the 2023 season, when he slashed .362/.489/.523 in 62 games.

Defensively, Taylor possesses a strong glove but lacks elite arm strength. There’s a chance he could stick in center but could handle either corner spot. He’s ranked No. 203 by Pipeline.

Round 6 Pick 174: Matt Ager, RHP, UC Santa Barbara

The Pirates took their second college pitcher of the day when they drafted Ager in the sixth round. The right-hander went 3-4 with a 4.02 ERA in 24 appearances/nine starts at UC Santa Barbara during hsi junior year.

Ager’s best pitch is his slider which has shown the ability to miss bats. He also features a low-90s fastball that can touch 96, a curveball and the occasional changeup.

Pipeline ranked Ager as the 135th-best prospect in the 2024 draft class.

Round 7 Pick 204: Connor Wietgrefe, LHP Minnesota

For the third-straight selection and the fourth time through their first five picks on day two, the Pirates went with a college player.

Wietgrefe went 8-2 at Minnesota this season and was second in the conference with a 2.77 ERA in addition to finishing sixth in the conference in strikeouts (74). He was named to the All-Big Ten First team after his successful junior season.

The left-hander, who might end up a reliever, is the first Pirates’ selection not listed in Pipeline’s top 250.

Round 8 Pick 234: Gavin Adams, RHP, Florida State

The Pirates continue to go heavy on college arms in day two and take Adams, a hard-throwing right-handed pitcher from Florida State.

Adams did not pitch this spring after undergoing Tommy John surgery. Played at Indian River State College in 2023 and had a 3.76 ERA with 44 strikeouts in 26.1 innings pitched.

Last year, Adams was selected by the Washington Nationals in the 11th round but did not sign. He’s not one of Pipeline’s top 250 draft prospects.

Round 9 Pick 264: Duce Gourson, SS, UCLA

Give the Pirates another shortstop in Gourson, though he probably slides to the right side of the infield as a pro.

Gourson slashed .288/.427/.482 with 16 doubles and seven homers in 51 games with the Bruins. The left-handed hitting Gourson has a strong eye at the plate with a good approach and more gap power than pure power potential.

Pipeline had Gourson as their No. 158 prospect in their top 250.