Five Players for Pirates to Consider In 2024 MLB Draft
Tons of buzz was surrounding the Pittsburgh Pirates last year, as they had the #1 overall pick in the MLB Draft. With that pick, Ben Cherington chose LSU phenom Paul Skenes, who in less than a calendar year, is already making his presence felt in Pittsburgh.
This time around, the Bucs will enter this year’s draft having the ninth overall pick.
As the College World Series is underway, it’s an opportunity for draft prospects projected in the first round to up their stock even further. While it maybe hard to gauge who gets taken where exactly, here are five players I think could have a chance to land with the Pirates.
Braden Montgomery: As a freshman and sophomore at Stanford, Braden Montgomery was a two-way player - both in the outfield and on the mound.
Entering this season, Montgomery transferred to Texas A&M. In 277 plate appearances, he’s posted a .317/.451/.742 line, along with 26 home runs.
Montgomery is a 6’2, 220 pound switch-hitter. The bat speed is good from both sides, however, his power is more generated as a lefty batter. Montgomery’s downside right now is chasing breaking pitches out of the zone.
Defensively, Montgomery has average range, but possesses a rifle for a throwing arm, so there’s no doubt he’ll be a right fielder.
The last time the Pirates selected a switch-hitting outfielder in Round 1 was Mark Merchant in 1987.
Bryce Rainer: After finishing up his senior season this year at Harvard-Westlake High School in Los Angeles, Bryce Rainer is considered by many to be the best prep batter for the ‘24 draft.
Rainer has a projectable frame at 6’3, 195 pounds. At the plate, he has the ability to make consistently solid contact, while driving the ball to all fields. Rainer doesn’t strike out much, which could lead to him hitting for more power in the future.
On the defensive side, Rainer plays mostly shortstop. He threw in the mid-90’s as a pitcher, so he should have a strong arm at short, to go along with his good range. The potential is there for him to be a plus defender at the position.
Rainer currently has a commitment to play at the University of Texas.
Cam Caminiti: The cousin of former All-Star Ken Caminiti, Cam Caminiti is a prep hurler out of Saguaro High School in Scottsdale, Arizona.
Caminiti is a two-way player, but is likely to be a full-time pitcher moving forward.
At 6’2, 195 pounds, the left-handed Caminiti can already sit in the mid-90’s with his fastball, and get it into the upper-90’s (98 tops). It can produce plenty of swing & miss up in the zone. He throws both a good curveball and slider, with some scouts believing that the latter is a better offering. Caminiti also uses a developing changeup, which has a chance to provide him a quality, fourth pitch.
Come the MLB Draft, Caminiti, who’s committed to LSU, will still be 17. He won’t turn 18 until August.
Should the Pirates go with Caminiti, it would make him the first southpaw prep arm to be taken in the first round since Sean Burnett in 2000.
Konnor Griffin: While Bryce Rainer may be the top prep hitter in the upcoming draft, Konnor Griffin is considered to be the most toolsy among all high schoolers.
A standout at Jackson Prep, located in Flowood, Mississippi, Griffin plays both shortstop and center field. He’s got a big yet athletic frame at 6’4, 215 pounds.
Offensively, Griffin has plenty of power as a right-handed batter. The timing of his swing is a concern at times, however he still makes good contact more often than not. Griffin also runs very well, giving him the upside of a tremendous, power/speed combo.
On the defensive side, Griffin has both the athleticism and arm to play a superb, shortstop and/or center field.
Just like Cam Caminiti, Griffin is also an LSU commit, who has the ceiling of a perennial, All-Star type.
Nick Kurtz: For Nick Kurtz, his collegiate career at Wake Forest has been nothing short of stellar.
As a freshman at Wake in 2022, Kurtz hit 15 homers, while posting a .338/.471/.637 line, in 259 plate appearances.
The 6’5, 240 pounder would follow that up with a strong, sophomore campaign last year, as he put up a slash of .353/.527/.784, in 265 plate appearances, and blasted 24 long balls.
This season, Kurtz is having another monster year, for the Demon Deacons. In 260 plate appearances, he’s slashing .306/.531/.763, along with 22 home runs. Kurtz’s 1.294 OPS is second best in the ACC.
Despite his big size, Kurtz can handle first base surprisingly well.
It’s hard to say much more Kurtz will be able to up his stock in the College World Series. One would assume that a great showing would place him in the Top 5 of most draft boards.
If Kurtz were to fall to the Pirates at 9, it would be too hard to pass up on, not just given his offensive profile, but also the Pirates’ desperate need for an impactful, first baseman.