PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – The Pirates did go after power in rounds four through 10 including drafting another Jared Jones on Monday. Here is a breakdown of every pick with a pair of position players with big pop including one from Australia.
4th round
SS Gustavo Melendez (17-years-old, 5’8”, 160 pounds, Puerto Rico)
The left-handed hitter and right-handed thrower is committed to Wake Forest. The draft profile in mlb.com states Melendez has the chance to be a plus hitter over time. They project him as the 141st best overall prospect who would more likely be a second baseman with hitting being his highest grade. Former MLB manager Buck Showalter said during the MLB Combine on MLB Network that Melendez is ‘a guy who just wants it’.
5th round
C Adonys Guzman (21, 5’ 11”, 222 pounds, University of Arizona)
Guzman had a big post-season last year named to the 2025 College World Series All-Tournament Team (the only player recognized on a team that did not make the semifinals). The right-handed hitter had a three-hit, three-RBI game against West Virginia, a four-hit game against North Carolina and his final college game in a loss to Louisville went 2 for 5 with a home run. Overall Guzman hit .328 last season with 12 doubles, 9 home runs, 44 RBI and a .411 on-base percentage. He is likely a defensive-first catcher with a big arm. His Arizona teammate Mason White told Tucson.com Guzman is fiery ‘he’s someone you want on your team and you probably don’t wanna play against.’
6th round
RHP, Jack Anker (21, 6’2”, 200 pounds, Fresno State)
Had the sixth best walks per nine innings rate in the nation in 2025 (1.12). Over 96.1 innings he walked only 12 while striking out 109. After coming out of the bullpen his freshman year, Anker has started the last two seasons. He was the Friday night starter in 2025 going 9-5 in 16 starts, 5.98 ERA, 122 hits. Anker had a 16-strikeout game against San Diego State this year and was named the Golden Spikes Player of the Week. He was ranked 194 by mlb.com who said he has more of a good feel for pitching than wow stuff.
7th round
3B Brent Iredale (22, 6’3”, 200 pounds, University of Arkansas)
Power is his best tool having some of the highest exit velocities in the college class according to mlb.com (one of 111mph and a HR of 446 feet) with easy power the other way. He played for Arkansas in 2025 after hitting 42 home runs in 113 games in two seasons at New Mexico Junior College. The right-hander started 64 games for the Razorbacks with 11 doubles and 14 home runs with a .286 average and .450 on-base percentage and nine stolen bases. He had 9 RBI in the opening series of the 2025 season and had a two-home run, eight-RBI game against Portland. The Australian hit a two-run home run in the Little League World Series to send a game to extra innings against Panama. His nickname is Ironman.
8th round
OF Josh Tate (5’11”, 178 pounds, Georgia Southern)
The Georgia native led the Sun Belt in hitting with a .362 average, also had 18 doubles, 12 home runs and 46 RBI. He had 28 multi-hit games and a 13-game hitting streak to end his career. Played four games against power conference schools in 2025 going 1-5 and 3-4 against Georgia Tech, 2-4 against Clemson and 2-3 versus Florida. Over two years at Georgia Southern, the right-handed hitter had a .365 average, a .456 on-base percentage, .998 OPS and 34 stolen bases. His home runs improved from 4 to 12 last year, but is considered more of a contact bat. Last year in the Cape Cod League hit .294 in 21 games with a .390 on-base percentage.
9th round
1B Jared Jones (21, 6’4”, 246 pounds, LSU)
Ranked by mlb.com as the 101st best prospect with 22 home runs in 2025. The right-hander hit 28 home runs his previous season and 64 in three years. The Georgia native was a teammate with Paul Skenes his freshman season. Was a First Team All-American this year leading the SEC in RBI (76), second in total bases (171) and home runs (22) and third in hits (90). Nicknamed ‘Bear’, Jones was named to the College World Series All-Tournament Team that included a walk-off RBI single getting LSU into the national championship game. Pledged $100 to Make-A-Wish for every home run hit in 2025. He is not related to the Pirates pitcher of the same name.
10th round
INF, Matt King (22, 6’1”, 195 pounds, Arizona State)
The right-hander hit .401 in his only season with ASU in 2025 with 18 doubles, seven home runs, 55 RBI, a .464 on-base percentage and was named the Big 12 Co-Newcomer of the Year. He hit .424 in Big 12 games with 53 hits in 30 games. Led the team in multi-hit games (27) including in 7 of his final 10 games. He had eight hits in his final conference three-game series against Oklahoma State.