The Pittsburgh Pirates have drafted UC Santa Barbara right-hander Matt Ager with their sixth round pick, 174th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft. Ager was rated 104th overall by Baseball America and 135th overall by MLB Pipeline.
Matt Ager, RHP, UC Santa Barbara
Age: 21 | DOB: 5/21/2003 | HT: 6′ 6″ | WT: 225 | B/T: R/R
2024 Stats
After moving to the rotation as a sophomore in 2023, Ager struggled and was moved out of the rotation in 2024. He had a 4.02 ERA in 62.2 innings, with a 59:28 K/BB ratio. He went to the Cape Cod league during the summer, allowing seven earned runs in 7.1 innings across two appearances.
The Mechanics
He repeats his delivery and throws strikes with all of his pitches. His 6′ 6″, 225 pound frame and easy, repeatable delivery projects for more power in the future. Ager had an oblique injury in November, which could have led to his struggles in 2024.
The Pitches
Compiling the Baseball America and MLB Pipeline reports on Ager.
Fastball (50): Ager sits 90-93 MPH, and has gotten his fastball up to 96 in the past. He lost a bit of that top end velocity in 2024, but has a tall, projectable frame capable of tapping into more velocity.
Slider (50+): The slider gets mixed reviews, but is considered his best secondary pitch. He uses the fastball and slider almost exclusively as a two-pitch guy. The slider flashes plus, but grades more as an average offering due to questions about how it will fare as a swing and miss pitch against upper-level hitters.
Curveball (45): Ager throws a 12-to-6 curveball with downward action, which he can throw for strikes as a change of pace pitch.
Changeup (45+): He’s got a mid-80s changeup that could develop into his third average pitch.
Control (50): He pounds the strike zone with his pitches and grades with average control. He did see his walk rate increase in 2024.
Overall (45): There was hope that Ager would develop into a starting prospect, but he took a step back in 2024. He has good projectability, and an easy delivery. The two-pitch approach gives him a reliever profile, especially with the struggles in the bullpen during his junior season.
