The 2024 MLB Draft begins tonight at 7:00 PM EST, extending through Tuesday. The Pittsburgh Pirates will draft 21 new players to their system over the next three days, starting with the ninth overall pick.
After a trade by the Royals on Saturday night, the Pirates now have the sixth biggest draft bonus pool, at $14,000,500. That money will go toward their top ten round picks, plus any pick after the tenth round who receives more than $150,000 (the overage is taken from the bonus pool). Teams can only spend up to 5% over their bonus pool before losing future draft picks.
The Pirates will have a chance to land an above-average future value player with the ninth overall pick. This year’s draft features ten players who stand out as future above-average or better players in the majors. The decision will ultimately come down to whether the Pirates go with a college bat or a prep bat. The college hitters are quicker to the majors, but lower upside, while the prep hitters have more risk, but more long-term reward.
I previewed the draft on Friday, looking at how the Pirates could fill their first base need with Nick Kurtz out of Wake Forest.
The first two rounds of the draft will take place on Sunday, followed by rounds 3-10 at 2 PM on Monday, and rounds 11-20 at 2 PM on Tuesday. I’ll have a recap of every pick on the site, with full day recaps in First Pitch.
You can follow the progress on the draft pick signing tracker.
MLB Future’s Game
The Pirates were well-represented in MLB’s Future’s Game on Saturday night. Their top two prospects were participants, and both helped the National League to a 6-1 win. Termarr Johnson picked up a hit and scored a run, while Bubba Chandler pitched the final inning of the game.
Read about their performances, including Chandler’s stuff, in my recap of the game.
Brent Honeywell Jr. Claimed
The Pirates placed Brent Honeywell Jr. on waivers yesterday, clearing space on the 40-man roster for the returning Marco Gonzales. Honeywell didn’t last long, being claimed by the Dodgers on Saturday.
Honeywell got into two games with the Pirates, throwing 3.1 innings with one run allowed. He had a 4.85 ERA in 39 innings across 31 appearances in Triple-A.
Braxton Ashcraft to the IL
The Pirates placed right-handed pitcher Braxton Ashcraft back on the injured list. One of the top prospects in the system, Ashcraft was scheduled to pitch on Saturday. He returned from the injured list last week, throwing three scoreless innings in relief. This followed him going on the IL following a five shutout inning performance on June 25th.
Ashcraft is in his first full year returning from Tommy John, and has already set a career high in innings pitched. Hopefully the move is just a precaution to limit his workload and maintain his health. He has an 0.49 ERA in 18.1 innings so far in Triple-A, after a 3.69 ERA in 53.2 innings with Altoona this year.
Pirates Prospect Watch
The Pirates went pitching heavy in the 2023 draft. Paul Skenes was obviously the highlight of the draft, but fifth rounder Patrick Reilly has stood out this year, leading the minor league system in strikeouts. Reilly threw seven innings with one run allowed in Greensboro on Saturday night. Read more about his start, and all of Saturday’s action, in the latest Pirates Prospect Watch.
https://piratesprospects.com/2024/07/pirates-prospect-watch-patrick-reilly-stands-out-from-the-2023-draft-class.html
