Pittsburgh Pirates: 2015 MLB Mock Draft Picks
By Larry Snyder
The Pittsburgh Pirates will soon seek future Jolly Roger crew members at the Major League Baseball First-Year Player Draft. It is set for Monday, June 8 through Wednesday, June 10 at Studio 42 of the MLB Network in Secaucus, N.J.
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The Pittsburgh Pirates’ first-round pick comes up at No. 19 and they own a Compensation Pick at No. 32 because the Toronto Blue Jays signed free agent Russell Martin. They have a Projected Pool of $7,692,588 to work with according to Baseball America.
The time is approaching for Pirates’ general manager Neal Huntington and his staff to make the decisions on who could be the next Andrew McCutchen (1st round – 2005), Neil Walker (1st round – 2004), Gerrit Cole (1st round – 2011), Pedro Alvarez (1st round – 2008), Jordy Mercer (3rd round – 2008), Tony Watson (9th round- 2007), or Jared Hughes (4th round – 2006) to be developed by Pittsburgh’s farm system.
With the 24th pick overall in the first round of the 2014 MLB First-Year Player Draft, the Bucs went with shortstop Cole Tucker from Mountain Pointe High School in Ahwatukee, Arizona, near Phoenix. This sesaon he is playing with the Single-A West Virginia Power of the South Atlantic League. After 38 games, he is hitting .269 with 14 RBI and 14 stolen bases.
Since March, players have moved up and down on every team’s scouting report. Let’s take a look at what some of the draftologists across the internet have posted as who will be available for the Pirates when they are on the clock.
Bleacher Report – Justin Hussong sees the Pirates double-dipping on pitching by selecting lefthander Kolby Allard from San Clemente High School in California at No. 19 and coming back at No. 32 for righthander Tristan McKenzie from Royal Palm Beach High School in Florida.
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Boyd’s Bets – From Jimmy Boyd’s list with his suggestion as to who Pittsburgh might take in the No. 19 slot, comes the opinion that lefthander Nathan Kirby from the University of Virginia would be a good fit for PNC Park.
Bucs Dugout at SB Nation – Charlie Wilmoth sticks with covering just the choice at No. 19, and is projecting the Pirates to choose outfielder Dazmon Cameron from Eagle’s Landing Christian Academy in McDonough, Georgia. He is the son of Mike Cameron, who played in the Majors.
MLB.com – Jim Callis limits his comments to the first round, not including the later compensatory picks on his mock survey. He believes Pittsburgh will stay in state and go with righthander Mike Nikorak from Stroudsburg High School.
SI.com – David Rawnsley likes third baseman Cornelius Randolph from Griffin High School in Williamson, Georgia at No. 19 for the Bucs, and outfielder Nick Plummer out of Brother Rice High School in Bloomfield Hills, Michigan at No. 32.
Sporting News – Ryan Fagan thinks Pittsburgh might take a chance on righthander Mike Matuella from Duke University with the 19th pick. Fagan also did not include the compensation selections in his mock process.
Through The Fence – Dan Kirby is in agreement with Rawnsley from Sports Illustrated that the Bucs should choose the third baseman Randolph from Georgia at No. 19. He foresees righthander Cody Ponce from Cal Poly Pomona University at No. 32.
My Choice: I am going with the lefty Allard at No. 19 and the righty Ponce at No. 32.
The moment is just days away. Should the Pirates go with a high school prospect or one from college? Would you add another pitcher with the top pick? If they take someone to be in the everyday lineup, which position would you go for? Let your fellow fans know in the comments section below.
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