PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) - The Pirates selected three high school players with their first three picks in the MLB draft.
After taking shortstop Konnor Griffin, they selected Levi Sterling with their compensatory pick. Sterling, attended Notre Dame High School, in California. Giancarlo Stanton and Hunter Greene also went to that school.
The scouting report on MLB.com says,
"He has a loose, clean arm action coming from a three-quarters slot and a lean, athletic body that points to a lot of projection. He's already throwing his fastball in the 92-mph range, touching 94 with ride and run, and he can really spin the baseball with a plus 80-mph curve he can throw for strikes and an effective mid-80s sweeper. His changeup is an emerging pitch and could eventually give him a fourth above-average-or-better offering."
He had a 2.62 ERA, pitched 45.1 innings, with 55 strikeouts during his senior season.
Sterling is 17 years old and is committed to Texas.
With the 47th overall pick, the Pirates selected another high school shortstop, Wyatt Sanford, from Independence High School in Texas. He has some ties to the Pirates already.
His dad Chance played 19 games with the Pirates and Dodgers during his short stint in the MLB.
The scouting report on MLB.com for Sanford says,
"One of the best defensive shortstops in the 2024 high school class, Sanford has range to both sides and solid-to-plus arm strength. There's no doubt he can stay at the position, but his athleticism and tools would enable him to play almost anywhere on the diamond in a utility role. He produces consistent plus run times and is an asset on the bases."
Sanford signed his letter of intent recently to play baseball at Texas A&M University.
Cherington was asked by the media after the draft if there was an emphasis on taking high school players.
"No emphasis, no. Best players on the board when it came to our picks. In all three of those spots, felt very strongly that those were the best talents on the board. Really excited about all three. Justin already talked a little bit about Konnor. But we think we got three very different kinds of high school players tonight, all of whom have real upside and a chance to blossom in our system. Excited about all of 'em," said Cherington.
