Predicting the Pittsburgh Pirates’ first pick

The Pittsburgh Pirates are in a rebuilding phase. Since their star Andrew McCutchen left the team after the 2017 season, things haven’t gone so well at Steel Town. The Pirates last made the playoffs in 2015.

They finished with a 62-100 record in 2022, marking the fourth straight year the team failed to achieve the equivalent of 70 wins. They finished with a 19-41 record in the COVID-shortened 2020 season.

Successive losing seasons can be an incredibly demoralizing experience for a city, the fans and of course the players. There are, however, a few silver linings that can be squeezed out of underperformance if you look hard enough.

Since the Pittsburgh Pirates had one of the worst records in MLB last year, they, along with the Washington Nationals and Oakland Athletics, received the most lottery entries from last December’s draft. .

MLB’s first draft lottery was held last year. Teams with the worst records have their numbers written on ping pong balls and drawn. After the December lottery in San Diego, the Pittsburgh Pirates received their second first overall pick in three seasons.

“Raul Ibanez announces six selections until the first pick of the 2022 MLB Draft lottery, where the Pirates and Nationals are left for the first pick and the Pirates win the first-ever lottery” – @ Mr. Mathew CFB

The Pittsburgh Pirates had some of the worst shots in the league last season. Out of 30 teams, they ranked 25th in ERA, 28th in fewest points allowed, and 26th in WHIP. Needless to say, pitching should be a priority for the Pirates heading into the June draft.

University of Tennessee pitcher Chase Dollander seems to fit the bill. Last season, Dollander went 10-0, amassing an ERA of just 2.39 in 79 innings pitched. Although he’s been compared to New York Yankees star Gerrit Cole, Dollander is only 21 and likely won’t be ready for MLB for at least a few years.

“10 days before Tennessee Baseball. The reigning SEC pitcher of the year and first-team Chase Dollander All-American went 𝟭𝟬-0 last year.” – @Callum

The Pittsburgh Pirates are considering a player to base their reconstruction around

Although the Pittsburgh Pirates will see McCutchen return for a farewell season, the 36-year-old will be a shell of what he once was for this team. As a result, the Pirates must place their eggs in the basket of the future.

Rich Hill is baseball’s oldest player and also completes the Pirates’ rotation this year. To be competitive, the Pirates need an overhaul, and a player like Dollander will make that easier.