PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – MLB held their first ever MLB Draft lottery to determine the order of the 2023 draft. The Pirates won it.
The franchise finished 62-100 and could have finished as low as ninth, but ended up with the top overall selection.
Catcher Henry Davis was the last Pirates first overall selection in 2021. The catcher has dealt with wrist injuries, but made it to the AA level. Overall the Louisville star hit .264 with 10 home runs and 42 RBI in 212 at bats in 2022.
Other number one overall Pirates picks:
RHP Gerrit Cole (2011)
RHP Bryan Bullington (2002)
RHP Kris Benson (1996)
3B Jeff King (1986)
Currently the top five players in high school and college per mlb.com:
College
OF Dylan Crews-LSU-power hitter
RHP Chase Dollander-Tennessee-4 pitches for strikes
SS Jacob Gonzalez-Mississippi-athleticism, controls the strike zone
OF Wyatt Lanford-Florida-school record 26 HR last season
SS Jacob Wilson-Grand Canyon-son of former Pirate Jack Wilson, led NCAA in strikeout rate
High School
OF Max Clark-Franklin, IN-five-tool player
OF Walker Jenkins-South Brunswick, NC-plus bat
C/RHP Blake Mitchell-Sinton, TX-scouts prefer as catcher, 95mph fastball
RHP Travis Sykora-Round Rock, TX-6'5" clocked at 98 mph
The Draft takes place again during All-Star week in Seattle in July.
