The Pirates took three prep pitchers on day one of the draft, selection Nick Lodolo in the competitive balance round, Travis MacGregor in the second round, and Braeden Ogle in the fourth round. It will certainly take some over-slot money to sign some of those guys. The Pirates continued their approach, taking prep pitcher Max Kranick in the 11th round. He’s a right-handed pitcher who can already hit 95 MPH. As John Dreker pointed out today, they’ve got a history of taking big over-slot guys in the 11th round. This is similar to the 2014 draft, when they went over-slot for second rounders Mitch Keller and Trey Supak, then took Gage Hinsz in the 11th round. It will be tough to sign Kranick, as he will absolutely require over-slot money (they can spend $100,000, before tapping into the bonus pool). If it works out with all of the prep pitchers, they will have four high-upside prep arms from this draft, and will definitely be keeping me busy in the GCL this summer. – Tim Williams
11th Round, 345th Overall: Max Kranick, RHP, Valley View HS (PA)
Kranick is a great pick in the 11th round, although that assumes the Pirates can get him signed, as he’s a highly rated prospect out of high school with a commitment to the University of Virginia. Kranick was rated 84th overall by Baseball America, along with 179th by MLB.com and 88th by Keith Law. He gets high ranks due to a fastball that already sits in the low 90s, and touches 95. He’s got some things to work on with his delivery, but is projected to have good control. He doesn’t currently have a good secondary pitch, although he shows a lot of promise with his changeup, and shows the ability to spin his curveball, with the chance that this could be average to above average. He’s got the chance to make it as a starter in the big leagues, depending on the development of his secondary stuff. If the Pirates can get him signed, then this will be a good pick, adding potentially their fourth high upside prep pitcher of this draft. – Tim Williams
12th Round, 375th Overall: Arden Pabst, C, Georgia Tech
Pabst is a glove-first catcher, who started all three seasons at Georgia Tech. He has thrown out 44% of base runners during his career and he’s committed just one error in each of the last two seasons. His offense has been weak each year, hitting .234/.305/.333 in 372 at-bats over his career. He gets praise for working hard on the defensive side and also working well with his pitchers. He will likely start for Morgantown, possibly splitting time with seventh round pick Brent Gibbs. – John Dreker
13th Round, 405th Overall: John Pomeroy, RHP, Georgia State
Pomeroy has seen only limited action in three years at Oregon State. He pitched just 14.1 IP in three years, all in relief, allowing just eight hits but walking 14 as well as striking out 14. He throws in the mid-90s with a breaking ball, but has poor control. He’ll obviously be a project. – Wilbur Miller
14th Round, 435th Overall: Hagen Owenby, C, East Tennessee State U
Owenby is a draft eligible sophomore who put up some good numbers at East Tennessee State this year, with a .374/.436/.660 line in 235 at-bats. That also came with 17 home runs and a 23:30 BB/K ratio. He was rated the 24th best prospect in Tennessee this year by Baseball America, in a four star class. He’s very athletic, playing quarterback in high school, running and passing for over 1,000 yards in his junior and senior years in high school. He’s not a guarantee to sign, as he could return to college for his junior year. However, with his athleticism, and the lack of catchers in short-season ball, he would be an interesting guy to put in either Morgantown or Bristol in 2016, just to see how much of his offense can carry over. – Tim Williams
15th Round, 465th Overall: Danny Beddes, RHP, Utah Valley
Beddes has a huge workhorse frame and he can get his fastball up to 95 MPH, working in the 90-94 range. He also has a low-80s curve and a cutter. He has been a starter for all four seasons at Utah Valley and has put in at least 84 innings in each of the last three seasons. In 2016, he had a 4.40 ERA in 92 innings, with 91 strikeouts. He has had control issues each year, so that held back his draft position. As a senior, he will likely sign quick and could be used as a starter for Morgantown. – John Dreker
