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The Pirates have used all four of their first-day picks on high school players after taking outfielder Conner Uselton from Southmoore High in Oklahoma 72nd overall, in Competitive Balance Round B.
Uselton is the Pirates’ second former quarterback of this draft, too — Steve Jennings was also a signal caller. Uselton was a college football prospect, but quit football as a sophomore to focus on baseball, where his arm strength and athleticism remain assets, and he has excellent raw power.
His swing is focused on that power, Baseball America says, so strikeouts may be an issue.
Uselton has the speed for center field for now, but is expected to head to a corner as his body fills out.
Uselton is old for a high school draftee, at 19 years old. He has a commitment to Oklahoma State and would be draft-eligible again in two years, though he seems to have been taken high enough that it won’t be much of a factor.