Jim Callis released the initial 2015 MLB draft order today, and the Pittsburgh Pirates currently pick 23rd overall. That is one spot higher than where they picked in the 2014 draft, when they took Cole Tucker in the first round.
The Pirates can move up from this spot. Picks 12-22 are unprotected, which means if one of those teams signs a free agent who received a qualifying offer, that team would lose their draft slot and everyone would move up a spot. Considering the Yankees are one of the teams with an unprotected pick, it seems likely that the Pirates will move up at least one spot. The Red Sox, however, have a protected pick at number seven.
The draft order will undergo a lot of changes during the off-season, and we’ll also get a better idea of where the Pirates will pick after the first round. They currently have zero competitive balance picks, but they could get up to two compensation picks with qualifying offers to Russell Martin and Francisco Liriano. For now, this initial list is a good reference to see where everyone will start out prior to the off-season.
