Coverage: Pirates earning draft degree

Former Steelers WR Nate Washington played at Tiffin...

projectable body?

After reading more on the Newman pick, most thought it was a steal for the Buccos. The Cards were also high on him and would have taken him at 23. The Hayes pick was also considered a steal as well.

Im really conficted on Newman. Keith Law and NMR like him. A lot of other places didnt. Hit well against good competition in Cape Cod League. Not so well in PAC12, good baseball conference. I guess we'll see.

McBeam and Bullpen Nate,

I really really like it that Newman won 2 consecutive batting titles in the Cape Cod League. They use wooden bats in that league, which translates more to pro baseball.

However, I am concerned with his defense. If he cannot be stellar at short it decreases significantly his value to me. How many failed shortstops can Pirates stack at 2nd base?!

Just when when when are the Pirates going to grab a superior FIELDING shortstop?!

Law, FanGraphs, and Baseball Prospectus all have Newman sticking at short, Groat. He gets knocked for his arm strength, although I guarantee Jordy Mercer wouldn't grade out even a half grade higher.

Which "other places" didn't like the pick, if you don't mind me asking? Those are my three go-to outlets and I've been traveling all week; haven't bothered checking elsewhere.

I liked the pick because I thought it showed a continued maturation of the Pirates scouting and drafting process by once again going for a hit-over-power bat. Power and velocity are the two tools that consistently get overrated, which makes sense because they're the flashiest and easiest to grade.

You guys have probably already seen this, but if not:

http://blog.triblive.com/bucco-blog/2015/06/09/the-pirates-draft-pivot-and-what-theyre-saying/#axzz3cdLt67Ob

Good stuff in there....especially about why their draft strategy may be pivoting away from prep arms.

NMR...what's your thought on the Hughston pick?

@steel - first impression reminds me a bit of Jacoby Jones; more athlete than ball player. I think that helps add balance to the draft, though, so I'm not necessarily disappointed with the pick. Fine to take a shot at a couple upside guys...I just don't have a ton of confidence in the Pirates ability to "fix" players with swing-and-miss issues.

My favorite Day 2 pick is probably Jacob Taylor. Young position player convert without many innings on his arm and even less bad habits taught by sh*tty coaches along the way.

@NMR....thanks man. Spot on with what I thought about Hughston. Loved the Taylor pick too for the same reason.

Baseball America was one. David Todd was talking about how Law was one of the handful of places that had Newman rated inside the Top 30 were some other places had him in the early 100s.

I honestly don't know the guy at all. Outside of some ACC and nonconference games at Pitt and a handful of local Legion games, WPIAL playoffs don't know most of what's out there.

But it appears they have changed from past NH drafts and I'm curious how it works out.

They did say St Louis prob would have taken Newman at 23 so no argument here.

Hopefully their right on some of these guys. Certainly invested a lot of assets in IF the last few years. Throughout the organization.

"Other places"? We've already discussed Baseball America, Baseball Prospectus, FanGraphs, and ESPN/Keith Law. Of those four top sources, BA is the low guy on Newman, and they still have him as their 27th best player in the draft.

What "other places" are there? I could care less what some fanblogs say, no offense to David Todd.

I do, too. Hope they can sign him. I like the fact he may have fallen due to "signability" issues.

I would have loved to have seen that as well NMR. I think that what Travis Sawchick wrote May be true....that their draft philosophy has pivoted away from the over slot, high ceiling prep studs.

Yeah, I don't think there is any doubt about that at this point...more of the maturation in strategy I mentioned above.

Travis didn't mention this in his logic, but the Pirates have unquestionably been far, far more successful finding big league pitchers that used to be good and getting them back to that place than they have been at drafting and developing HS or college arms. That absolutely should factor into their strategy moving forward, and it looks like it has.

I sure missed on that 11th round guess, eh? Very interesting to see so many high upside high school names still on the board. Looks like clubs aren't even attempting to break them of their commitments. I suppose you can't blame the Pirates there; just wish they would've taken maybe just one more risk/upside prep arm. Looks like they'll end up with a bunch of money to spare.

I appreciate the draft talk, gents. This afternoon is the first I've had time to really dig into it.