Potential Pittsburgh Pirates Draft Options 2.0

The 2022 MLB draft is a month away and it’s time to highlight three more potential selections for Ben Cherington and the Pirates. In the first edition, three position players were highlighted and it’s time to evaluate three more position payers.

The Pirates have the fourth pick in the draft behind the Orioles, Diamondbacks and Rangers and it will be the third draft conducted by Cherington.

2B Termarr Johnson, Georgia (H.S)

Johnson’s bat is highly regarded and he is considered by many to have the top overall hit tool in this year’s draft class. Johnson, who bats left-handed, would give the Pirates another top middle infield prospect in their system as the Bucs continue to be strong up the middle.

Johnson is committed to play college baseball at Arizona State, but if the Pirates selected him with the fourth pick, they should be able to entice him to forgo that commitment and begin his pro career.

SS Jackson Holliday, Oklahoma (H.S)

If that last name looks familiar it’s because Holliday is the son of seven-time All-Star Matt Holliday. The younger Holliday has plus-tools across the board and is considered to be especially strong with his contact and running ability. As he continues to get stronger as he ages, he has a better chance to stick at shortstop as a pro, though he is more than capable of playing another infield spot if needed.

Holliday is a strong candidate to go first overall to Baltimore, and it’s possible, if not likely, that he will be off the board before the Pirates are on the clock.

3B Cam Collier, Chipola J.C.

The top junior college prospect available in this year’s class, Collier like Holliday is a legacy. He is the son of Lou Collier, who played a pair of seasons with the Pirates in 1997-98.

Collier is just 17 years old, making him one of the youngest players available to be selected in this year’s draft. Collier’s bat is his biggest strength as he has shown elite contact skills and has flashed the potential for strong power from the left side of the plate. Collier’s strong arm makes him a natural candidate for third base, though scouts believe he can handle a corner outfield spot or first base if needed, as the bat should play at any of those positions.