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Pirates Sign Four Draft Picks, Including Second Rounder Mitch Jebb

2023 DraftTransactions

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The Pittsburgh Pirates announced the signing of four players from their 2023 draft class, including second round pick Mitch Jebb.

Jebb, a shortstop from Michigan State, was joined by three right-handed pitchers: Carlson Reed in the fourth round, Patrick Reilly in the fifth, and Landon Tomkins in the tenth.

Information on each player can be found below.

2nd Round: Mitch Jebb, SS, Michigan State

What stood out about the infielder from Michigan State were the high contact rates, which led to a .337 average and a .438 OBP. In the Cape Cod League, he had a .356 average and a .429 OBP. He had an 88% contact rate this year, but a compact swing reduces his chances of hitting for power like below.

“High contact, swing decisions, delivers the barrel consistently, may have a little old time look to how he does it, but make no mistake, he knows very well what he’s doing,” said Pirates scouting director Joe DelliCarri. “He knows his swing well. And he knows there’s opportunities ahead of him of some areas that he can still build upon.”

The high contact abilities pair with plus speed, along with the ability to play up the middle, giving Jebb a value of a potential future super utility player — a very similar tools profile to Ji Hwan Bae, with a chance to develop into an average starter.

Jebb signed for $1.65 million, according to Jim Callis, which is a savings of a little under $400,000.

4th Round: Carlson Reed, RHP, West Virginia

The Pirates added Reed from West Virginia after the right-hander posted a 2.61 ERA in 38 innings as a reliever. He had 60 strikeouts and 25 walks. He’s got a fastball that averages 95 MPH, which can get up to 98. His slider and changeup both grade with the potential for above-average.

“There’s an opportunity to tap into athleticism, arm speed, how he has taken and adapted to some things in terms of aptitude, what he’s been given so far,” said DelliCarri. “We think we can do some things with all of his pitches — fastball and then two breaking balls.”

The one standout thing that Reed would need to focus on would be his control. He’s got the chance for three above-average pitches out of the bullpen, and the Pirates will no doubt give him plenty of innings to work on commanding those pitches.

Reed signed for $600,000, which is $46,900 under slot.

5th Round: Patrick Reilly, RHP, Vanderbilt

Working as a reliever with Vanderbilt, Reilly didn’t have the best numbers, with an ERA of 5.77 in 48.1 innings, along with 65 strikeouts and 30 walks. While the numbers weren’t there, the fastball/slider combo looks interesting to develop.

His fastball grades as a potential plus offering, sitting 93-96 MPH, touching 98, with plenty of run on the pitch. The two-seam version of his fastball has more run and sink. His slider is either a mid-80s classic look, or an upper 80s cutter.

Reilly lacks control of both offerings, due to inconsistent mechanics. He throws from a power three-quarters arm slot with fast arm action, and can get out of sync on the mound. He was rated 103rd overall in the shortened 2020 draft, and went to college possibly due to the reduction in rounds. The control issues have dropped his value over the years, but if the Pirates get his mechanics in line, they have another power reliever profile.

Reilly signed for the full slot amount of $455,600.

10th Round: Landon Tomkins, RHP, Louisiana Tech

Tomkins is a right-handed pitcher from Louisiana Tech who made 30 appearances and six starts. He posted a 3.52 ERA in 76.2 innings, striking out 75 and walking 34.

He pitched in the prospect league last summer, showing better control, with a 40:8 K/BB in 30.2 innings. Not much information is available on his stuff, but the consistent strikeout results across levels is encouraging.

As a college senior, the signing bonus for Tomkins is probably going to be under-slot, saving money to spend elsewhere in the draft. That doesn’t mean he won’t get opportunity. Beau Sulser was a tenth round college senior, and has made the majors. Tomkins signed for $15,000, according to Justice delos Santos.

Tim Williams
Tim Williams
Tim is the owner, producer, editor, and lead writer of PiratesProspects.com. He has been running Pirates Prospects since 2009, becoming the first new media reporter and outlet covering the Pirates at the MLB level in 2011 and 2012. His work can also be found in Baseball America, where he has been a contributor since 2014 and the Pirates' correspondent since 2019.

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