We will keep track of all of the draft rumors today in this post. In previous years it was easy to guess what the Pirates would do, since they were picking at the top. This year it’s up in the air, and the guys available to them will be largely influenced by the first eight picks in the draft. So we’ll focus on the rumors there, but also anything that comes up for the Pirates that isn’t “they’re looking at Reese McGuire”.
**Peter Gammons says the Astros are still undecided on the first overall pick.
GMs and agents think Luhnow will wait until at least 4 to decide Appel, Gray or Moran
— Peter Gammons (@pgammo) June 6, 2013
I’m not sure that decision will impact who is available to the Pirates at number nine.
**Gammons also says the Royals could have an over-slot deal with Phil Bickford at number eight.
Other clubs believe Royals have 1sr round desl with RHP Phil Bickford of Westlake Village, Cal., with 8th pick
— Peter Gammons (@pgammo) June 6, 2013
That’s something that could impact who the Pirates pick from. The Pirates will probably have their choice of 2-3 players from the Reese McGuire, Austin Meadows, Clint Frazier, and Trey Ball group. Every mock draft this morning had the Pirates taking McGuire. If the Royals go with Bickford (every mock today had them on Ball), then there could be a chance that the Pirates get their choice of three or all four of those prep players.
**The Twins may be taking Kohl Stewart at number four.
Advisor via text just now w/ a stake in the #MNTwins draft: "Stewart is going 4." Me: "What if he goes 1 to hometown?" Advisor: "He's not."
— Darren Wolfson (@DWolfsonKSTP) June 6, 2013
**Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe predicts Austin Meadows to the Red Sox at number seven.
**Seattle has LHP Rob Kaminsky in the mix at number 12.
Heard this earlier & had a couple more sources just tell me – Mariners have Kaminsky very much in their mix at 12. #mlbdraft
— Frankie Piliere (@FPiliereD1) June 6, 2013
If that happened, combined with the Bickford/Royals rumor earlier, it would increase the chances of the Pirates landing two from the McGuire/Ball/Frazier/Meadows group, in my opinion.
*** Still no news at the top as the clock ticks away.
Deja vu. Two hours before #mlbdraft, no concrete idea of what #Astros will do at No. 1. Killing me!
— Jim Callis (@jimcallisMLB) June 6, 2013
** Astros might take Moran or Stewart. Wouldn’t have much effect on Pirates, but it does shake things up a bit if one of them goes first
Interesting, well placed source just told me that Astros are down to Stewart or Moran. Kohl would certainly be a surprise.
— David Rawnsley (@DavidRawnsleyPG) June 6, 2013
