The Pittsburgh Pirates have drafted UCLA shortstop Duce Gourson with their ninth round pick, 264th overall in the 2024 MLB Draft. Gourson was rated 231st overall by Baseball America and 158th overall by MLB Pipeline.
Duce Gourson, SS, UCLA
Age: 21 | DOB: 9/20/2002 | HT: 6′ 0″ | WT: 200 | B/T: L/R
2024 Stats
Gourson hit .288/.427/.482 with seven homers in 241 plate appearances in 2024 with UCLA. This was his third season, and the recurring theme was a high on-base percentage from a career 14.9% walk rate.
The History
Gourson’s name is Ethan Royal Gourson, but he goes by Duce. He played up the middle for UCLA the last two years, showing an ability to play both middle infield spots. He was announced as a shortstop in the draft, and has an offensive-minded approach to his game.
The Tools
Compiling the Baseball America and MLB Pipeline reports on Gourson.
Hit (50): He draws a lot of walks, but also has strikeout issues, due to swing and miss against secondary stuff.
Power (45): Gourson has fringe-average power, with a career high of ten homers in a season. That came during his sophomore year, and he didn’t repeat those totals in 2024. His power is limited to gap power and extra bases, with not a lot of projectability to his frame.
Run (50): He’s an average runner at best.
Field (45): Gourson profiles better as a second baseman, due to an offense-first approach, and only an average arm.
Arm (50): The arm is average, and profiles best at second base.
Overall (40): Gourson’s path to the majors will come from hitting for extra bases and getting on base with his plate patience. His bat would play better at shortstop, but he profiles as fringe-average at second, and isn’t likely to add much value on the defensive side of his game.
