Carlson Reed was drafted by the Pirates in the fourth round out of West Virginia University last year. He was taken with the 104th overall pick, after being ranked the 180th best prospect in the draft by Baseball America. The Pirates paid him slightly under-slot, allowing them to get a few extra over-slot options in the later rounds. Still, Reed had the fifth-highest bonus in the Pirates’ draft, and early in the 2023 season he is looking like one of the more intriguing players from that middle rounds of that class.
In three starts this year with Bradenton, Reed has a combined 2.45 ERA in 11 innings, with 18 strikeouts and eight walks. In his most recent outing last week, he allowed one earned run in four innings, with two walks and eight strikeouts.
Reed was drafted with the chance for three pitches that grade above-average or better. In his most recent start, the fastball sat 93.1 MPH, touching 94.8.
THIS WEEK ON PIRATES PROSPECTS
This week’s premium article drop for Patreon subscribers looks at players in Single-A with the Bradenton Marauders. Like every other level, this group is highlighted by interesting pitchers. There are also some hitters to follow on the position player side, which I broke down in my premium column.
**Williams: Pirates Prospects Sleepers to Follow in Single-A
Michael Kennedy was an over-slot prep pick in the fourth round of the 2022 draft. The lefty is in his first full-season league in pro ball, and showed promise this past weekend with an eight strikeout performance.
**Michael Kennedy Shows Path to Big Leagues With Eight Strikeout Performance
Khristian Curtis has a six pitch mix, despite not having a lot of time on the mound in his pitching career. The Pirates gave him an over-slot bonus as a 12th rounder last year, giving them the chance to develop his arsenal.
**Khristian Curtis Features Big Stuff From a Six Pitch Mix
Carlson Reed is showing promise in his early results with Bradenton. The West Virginia draftee has a 2.45 ERA in his first three starts this year, after being taken in the fourth round last year.
**West Virginia Pitcher Carlson Reed is Off to a Great Start With the Pirates – REEDING
Relievers aren’t usually prospects in the lower levels, but Magdiel Cotto is a lefty who can get his fastball up to 95. The Pirates went over-slot on him in the 11th round last year, and he’s showing good results as a reliever in the 2024 season.
**Magdiel Cotto is an Over-Slot Lefty With a Fastball That Gets Up to 95
The Pirates traded for Connor Oliver at the start of the season, getting something in return for Colin Selby. This marks his sixth different organization since the start of 2020, with hopes that the Pirates can develop the lefty into an MLB option.
**Connor Oliver Remains on the Move With Trade to Pirates
