Who will the Pirates pick? A look at potential prospects for the No. 1 choice in the MLB Draft
A look at the prospects who could be the No. 1 pick for the Pittsburgh Pirates on Sunday night in the MLB Draft:
Harold sees shades of Hall of Famer @RealCJ10 in #1 @MLBDraft prospect Marcelo Mayer! pic.twitter.com/FrkfDb0dSu
— MLB Network (@MLBNetwork) July 5, 2021
Marcelo Mayer
Position: Shortstop
Height, weight: 6-foot-3, 185 pounds
Bats/throws: Left/right
School: Eastlake High School, Chula Vista, Calif.
Age/DOB: 18 (Dec. 12, 2002)
Scouting report: A Southern Cal recruit, Mayer projects as a long-term shortstop because of his advanced defense. Has strong aptitude, instincts, excellent hands and footwork. With a smooth lefty swing and good barrel control, he’s a natural hitter who batted .410 with 13 home runs as a senior. The question is whether he projects any future power. Hails from a powerhouse program that also produced the No. 1 pick in 2000, Adrian Gonzalez.
Jordan Lawlar is the No. 1 prospect in the BA 500 ?
Full rankings here: https://t.co/18ugbZS5OJ pic.twitter.com/Dnb1EftWqg
— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) June 23, 2021
Jordan Lawlar
Position: Shortstop
Height, weight: 6-foot-2, 185 pounds
Bats/throws: Right/right
School: Dallas (Texas) Jesuit High School
Age/DOB: 18 (July 30, 2002)
Scouting report: The Vanderbilt recruit is considered a five-tool prospect and once was regarded as the top shortstop in his class. Batted better than .400 for three years, has above-average bat speed and a good arm, hands and range at short. Has a reputation for his intelligence and maturity but turns 19 next Saturday and might choose college, where he can be drafted again in two years.
Teams view Kahlil Watson as a lock to go within the top 10.
Here's his updated scouting report: https://t.co/18ugbZS5OJ
And our latest mock draft: https://t.co/WW30inQNb3 pic.twitter.com/yYSeBV29FE
— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) July 2, 2021
Kahlil Watson
Position: Shortstop
Height, weight: 5-foot-9, 178 pounds
Bats/throws: Left/right
School: Wake Forest (N.C.) High School
Age/DOB: 18 (April 16, 2003)
Scouting report: North Carolina State recruit is an electric athlete with speed (6.5 seconds in 60-yard dash) who is a threat to steal and plays bigger than his size. Has a strong swing and outstanding bat speed and the tools to stay at shortstop, though he also has been projected to play second base or center field.
Some of the loudest offensive upside in the 2021 MLB Draft?
It belongs to Brady House.
He's top-10 in both our BA 500 and latest mock.
Scouting report: https://t.co/18ugc09Hdj
Mock: https://t.co/WW30io8ozD
(?️ via @BaseballFactory) pic.twitter.com/5mP9oWUWPc
— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) July 2, 2021
Brady House
Position: Shortstop
Height, weight: 6-foot-4, 215 pounds
Bats/throws: Right/right
School: Winder-Barrow High School, Winder, Ga.
Age/DOB: 18 (June 4, 2003)
Scouting report: The Tennessee recruit has the strength and bat speed to project as a power threat who can hit to all fields. Because of his age — he turned 18 last month — and size, he is projected as a corner infielder who likely will move to third base.
housepic
Jack Leiter, his father Al on journey to 2021 Draft https://t.co/a4w7HcoLnv #MLBFilmRoom via @MLB. The Leiter Family comes at no extra charge if you draft young Jack.
— James E. Golden,Jr. (@JamesEGoldenJr1) July 7, 2021
Jack Leiter
Position: Pitcher
Height, weight: 6-foot-1, 205 pounds
Throws: Right
School: Vanderbilt
Age/DOB: 21 (April 21, 2000)
Scouting report: The son of Al Leiter, a 19-year MLB veteran who was a two-time All-Star and World Series champion. Drafted in the 20th round by the Yankees in 2019. Has a five-pitch repertoire that features a 98-mph fastball, 12-to-6 curveball and slider. Tossed a no-hitter against South Carolina in SEC play, had 179 strikeouts in 110 innings and led Vandy to the College World Series finals. Durability is a concern.
Two #VandyBoys took the baseball world by storm this season.
Get to know @jackleiter22 and @KumarRocker ➡ https://t.co/5hW1Ontcjh
?: @theblackkeys pic.twitter.com/nYGCgpzw7M
— MLB (@MLB) July 9, 2021
Kumar Rocker
Position: Pitcher
Height, weight: 6-foot-5, 245 pounds
Throws: Right
School: Vanderbilt
Age/DOB: 21 (Nov. 22, 1999)
Scouting report: Considered the draft’s top prospect a year ago after striking out 19 in a no-hitter against Duke in the NCAA Super Regionals as a freshman. The son of former NFL defensive lineman Tracy Rocker, he throws a 99 mph fastball and a devastating slider but has shown inconsistent velocity. Had 14 wins and tied Leiter with 179 strikeouts in 122 innings.
Henry Davis just *murdered* a baseball. #MLBDraft pic.twitter.com/YQ1o1lGf2G
— Josh Norris (@jnorris427) May 14, 2021
Henry Davis
Position: Catcher
Height, weight: 6-foot-2, 210 pounds
Bats/throws: Right/right
School: Louisville
Age/DOB: 21 (Sept. 21, 1999)
Scouting report: Coming into college was considered a catch-first prospect but now is known for his hitting. A fastball hitter with an unorthodox stance who likes to pull the ball, he slashed .370/.482/.663 with 15 home runs and 10 stolen bases this season, with more walks (31) than strikeouts (23). Has a good arm — threw out 34% of runners in his first two seasons — and athleticism. The question is whether he will stay behind the plate or move to another position.
Jackson Jobe’s 3000+ RPM slider + vertical fastball movement commands attention.
He’s a top-10 prospect in the latest BA 500.
Full scouting report: https://t.co/18ugc09Hdj
(? @FlaSmitty)pic.twitter.com/TeYgK7gvIW
— Baseball America (@BaseballAmerica) July 2, 2021
Jackson Jobe
Position: Pitcher
Height, weight: 6-foot-2, 190 pounds
Throws: Right
School: Heritage Hall School, Oklahoma City, Okla.
Age/DOB: 18 (July 30, 2002)
Scouting report: Considered the top prep pitcher, the Ole Miss recruit went 9-0 with a 0.13 ERA in 51 2/3 innings. Has a wipeout slider with elite spin that scouts call the best in the draft, a 96 mph four-seam fastball, a changeup, curveball and an easy delivery. Turns 19 on July 30.
Kevin Gorman is a TribLive reporter covering the Pirates. A Baldwin native and Penn State graduate, he joined the Trib in 1999 and has covered high school sports, Pitt football and basketball and was a sports columnist for 10 years. He can be reached at kgorman@triblive.com.
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