Today, we take a look at some of the pitchers that are outside the top group of college pitchers, but could work their way into the Pirates range. Yesterday, we took a look at the top bats in college baseball. The draft begins on June 8th and the Pittsburgh Pirates have the 19th and 32nd overall picks.
TCU left-hander Alex Young made his second start on Sunday against Arizona State. After throwing six shutout innings in his debut, Young gave up two runs over five innings. He allowed four hits, one walk, hit one batter and picked up five strikeouts. Teammate Riley Ferrell recorded the save, retiring the side in order in the ninth. Ferrell was listed among the top pitchers in this draft class and he was supposedly going to start this season after pitching in relief in 2014. Sunday’s outing was his third relief appearance. In his first two games, he allowed one run on no hits, three walks and four strikeouts in two innings.
Stanford starter Marc Brakeman pitched on Saturday against Cal State Fullerton. He went six innings, giving up three runs(one earned) on four hits, three walks and a hit batter. Brakeman had four strikeouts. He also gave up one earned run over six innings in his season debut last week. Both Baseball America and MLB.com had Brakeman on their preseason top 50 lists.
On the other side of the field for Arizona State was closer Ryan Burr, who gave up an RBI single, before picking up a strikeout to end the ninth inning. In his first four appearances, he struck out 11 batters, while allowing one unearned run on four hits and three walks in 5.2 innings. Burr was named on multiple early season top 50 draft prospect lists.
Illinois lefty Tyler Jay pitched in relief on Sunday, but it was an extended outing. He threw 4.1 scoreless innings, allowing three hits and a walk, while recording four strikeouts. Prior to Sunday, he made one start and two relief appearances, throwing 6.2 scoreless innings. In those first three games, he allowed just two hits and no walks, striking out nine batters. I’ve included a video below by Fangraphs of Jay , who was rated 32nd overall by Baseball America.
Missouri State’s Jon Harris in another right-handed pitcher that gets some mentions among the top 50 prospects. In his first two starts, he has thrown 10.1 innings, allowing three earned runs on 11 hits and eight walks. He has also throw four wild pitches to go along with his other wildness. Harris has 12 strikeouts.
A couple hitters on note, starting with one game from Sunday. Florida shortstop Richie Martin went 0-for-3 with a walk on Sunday. He is hitting .217 through seven games, though he does have a .735 OPS thanks to a home run, five walks and two HBP.
Tennessee left fielder Christin Stewart got in just one game this weekend due to weather issues. He had two hits on Friday and he has a .579 OPS due to four hits, four HBP and three walks in four games. He also has a double and triple to his credit.
