Bolstering the Farm
Monday kicked off the 2018 Major League Baseball draft. An opportunity to infuse talent into struggling clubs, or restock the cupboard for championship contenders.
The Pirates looked to take advantage of a top third draft selection slot, as well as an additional first round pick.
Here’s a breakdown of their first three picks:
Travis Swaggerty: Centerfielder, University of South Alabama
Donned as one of the most talented hitters in the draft, Swaggerty had somewhat of a disappointing 2018 season after catching the attention of scouts in last year. While he doesn’t exhibit the smoothest of swings at times, Swaggerty has put up a .296/.455/.526 slash line in 2018 at South Alabama. That line includes a career high 13 homeruns, 38 strikeouts, and an impressive 54 walks. His plate discipline is an obvious strength, especially considering he is a conventional leadoff hitter.
Swaggerty was a standout on the 2017 Team USA Collegiate National Team posting a .328/.449/.406. with 21 hits, 7 RBI, and 6 stolen bases.
A two-way player his freshman year at South Alabama, he looks to be a true center fielder. The southpaw possesses a low-90’s fastball, and as a result seems to have competent Major League centerfield arm talent.
Accounting for his speed, he’s predicted to stay in center as he moves through the minor league system. Even though his steals have been cut in half from his college career average of 20, he should be an asset on the base paths.
Gunnar Hoglund: Right Handed Pitcher, Fivay High school
The Pirates followed their normal draft tendencies by selecting prep pitcher Gunnar Hoglund with their competitive balance round pick, number 36, at the end of the first round. Hoglund is exciting to research with a 6’4″ 210 pound frame as a senior in high school, he posted an impressive zero walks during the his regular season campaign, finally walking two batters in his last high school playoff start. He added 105 strikeouts with a 0.27 ERA behind a low to mid 90’s fastball and an admirable curveball this season.
It has been reported that the Pirates and Hoglund have agreed to a contract, which will allow Hoglund to join the Pirates’ minor league system right away. He is expected to join the Pirates Gulf Coast League with last years 2017 first round draft pick Shane Baz.
Braxton Ashcraft: Right Handed Pitcher, Robinson Texas High School
Another prospect to be excited about, Braxton Ashcraft is an elite athlete. Much like Hoglund, Ashcraft takes the mound at 6’5″ 190 pounds. He utilizes a low to mid 90’s fastball, with a solid slider, and an effective changeup. He posted an 11-1 record with 103 strikeouts in 70 1/3 innings during his senior season.
The most intriguing aspect of Ashcraft may be that his best high school sport isn’t baseball. He lit up the stat sheets with 104 receptions, 2,090 yards, and 37 touchdowns in his junior year. He sat out his senior year to focus on baseball.
It also is being reported that Braxton Ashcraft will sign with the Pirates.
In the past two years, the Pirates have selected high upside and athletic high school pitchers. Shane Baz, Steven Jennings, Gunnar Hoglund, and Braxton Ashcraft all give Pirates fans something to be excited about.
Major League baseball has shifted in recent years to big arm talent, and it appears the Pirates have also pointed their farm system in the same direction. All four pitchers have the talent to become impact pitchers after their development path.
Add in a center fielder that could eventually be paired with the standout prospect Austin Meadows has been thus far in his first Major League season, and these Pirates prospects are certainly promising.
