Four hours until the deadline to sign draft picks. Some updates on the unsigned guys.
-Nothing new on Gerrit Cole and Josh Bell. I wouldn’t expect talks to heat up until the last hour.
–9th round pick Clay Holmes has signed.
–I mentioned earlier that 15th round pick Kody Watts was in Pittsburgh, and was taking a physical with the team, indicating that he’s close to signing.
-13th round pick Brandon Platts isn’t expected to sign, according to Kendall Rogers of Perfect Game.
-Nothing new on 17th round pick Aaron Brown. He would be my top priority after Watts and Holmes.
-The Pirates haven’t contacted 19th round pick Taylor Nunez in any form since the draft. He will be going to Southern Miss.
-The Pirates have had contact with 11th round pick Joel Bennett, 14th round pick Jordan Dunatov, and 16th round pick Eric Skoglund. All three are open to signing, but they’re currently leaning towards college. If the Pirates miss out on Bell, I’d expect them to turn their attention to this group.
-The players who have already reported to school include 20th round pick Trea Turner, 26th round pick Nick Flair, 35th round pick Reid Mathews, and 36th round pick Isaac Ballou.
-The only player after round 17 that seems like a possibility to sign is 47th round pick Jorda Deluca.
