With the sixth round pick in the 2019 MLB draft, the Pittsburgh Pirates selected Stanford right-handed pitcher Will Matthiessen. He’s a two-way player, who the Pirates announced as a right fielder. He’s 21 years old and stands 6’6″, 225 pounds.
It sounds like the Pirates are focusing on athletic players in the draft and Matthiessen fits that mold, taking regular turns on the mound and at the plate. As a hitter, he batted .320/.399/.528 this season in 49 games, with ten doubles and nine homers. His OPS was 85 points higher last year in a similar role. Speed does not appear to be any part of his game, with just one attempted steal in two seasons. On the mound, he had a 4.22 ERA in 42.2 innings, with a .238 BAA and 46 strikeouts. He sits 88-89 MPH, spins a nice curveball and has a changeup. The arm obviously translates well to the outfield and a player his size should have some power. He has put up average hitting and pitching stats in three years of summer league ball in wood bat leagues.
He wasn’t listed on BA’s top 500. His draft spot comes with a $263,700 bonus slot.
