Pittsburgh (93.7 The Fan) - It wasn't by design that the Pirates selected five right-handed pitchers among their six draft choices.
"That's the way it played out," said Ben Cherington after his first draft as Pirates general manager. "As we got into each round it just happened that the top guy left on the board in some of those rounds was a right-handed pitcher. We weren't thinking about anything other than taking the best player available with our pick."
After selecting New Mexico State infielder Nick Gonzales seventh overall and University of South Carolina righthander Carmen Mlodzinski 31st on Wednesday, the Pirates stockpiled pitchers in rounds two through five.
With their second round selection (44th overall) they took Jared Jones from La Mirada High School in California. He's someone that amateur scouting director Joe Dellicarri and his staff know quite well.
Dellicarri was a bit more reserved, though understandably excited, about his potential.
"Nick Garcia is a classic coming-into-his own position player now getting a chance to pitch. Again, size--the way it works--and athleticism."
Cherington himself is a former Division III player.
"Nick's a a much different animal than I certainly was or anyone I can remember playing with there," Cherington said with a laugh. "I guess it probably makes you wonder how he ended up there. Look, wherever you're playing, wherever it is, whatever it is, there are opportunities to get better. You take your talent and look for ways to get better."
MLB Network analyst Jim Callis believes they give the Pirates flexibility with their $11,154,500 bonus pool.
“I think what they’re doing with Logan Hofmann and Jack Hartman is they’re saving some money here to pay Mlodzinski in the competitive balance round and Jared Jones in the second round," said Callis.
Cherington didn't exactly dispute that's the situation.