MLB Draft 2017: Pirates Day Two Roundup

The Pirates dipped into the college well on Day Two of the MLB Draft, using seven of their eight picks on college players. That doesn’t come as much of a surprise after the Pirates used all four of their Day One picks on high school players, and may need to free some slot money to sign those guys.

Keep an eye out for Brian Cartwright’s analysis of the college picks, too.

3rd Round (88th overall): Dylan Busby, 3B, Florida State U.

Busby’s drawing card is his raw power, which he displayed with a wood bat last summer in the Cape Cod League, and his 13 home runs led the Seminoles this year. He has a chance to stick at third, but could head to first base or corner outfield, though he has the power to carry a lower defensive profile. Naturally, there’s some swing-and-miss in his profile — something we saw with the Pirates’ two hitters drafted on the first day, too. Busby’s father, Wayne, was drafted by the White Sox in the 19th round in 1988, and played infield in the minors.

4th Round (118): Jason Delay, C, Vanderbilt U.

Delay is a senior and has the profile of an underslot pick, with a decent college bat that may not have an impact at the professional level, but strong defensive skills that could carry him up the ladder. Baseball America mentions him as a possible future manager who could be an asset as an organizational player at his floor.

5th Round (148): Deon Stafford, C, St. Joseph’s U.

Stafford has good raw power and may not stay behind the plate defensively. He had a monster 2016, both at St. Joe’s and the Cape, but regressed a little this season. His strikeouts were up, as were his walks, as BA says college pitchers may have been frightened by his reputation. However far Stafford gets, he’s unlikely to become the longest tenured major leaguer from St. Joe’s — that honor belongs to Jamie Moyer.

6th Round (178): Cody Bolton, RHP, Tracy HS, Calif.

Bolton has a commitment to the University of Michigan, which BA says he’s expected to honor. MLB says he was projected to go in rounds 4-6, though, so he isn’t a flier, either. He fits the Pirates profile at 6’3”, 185. He throws from a three-quarters slot and has a 92-93 MPH fastball and a potential above-average slider.

7th Round (208): Jared Oliva, CF, U. of Arizona

Oliva’s game is centered around speed, though he’s big enough — 6’3”, 187 — to have a little power, which has mainly been limited to doubles to this point. He does strike out some. MLB lists him as a Drew Stubbs type. Oliva is a redshirt junior who graduates this spring, so he is expected to be easy to sign.

8th Round (238): Blake Weiman, LHP, U. of Kansas

BA says the 6’5” Weiman put on weight this year, going from 175 pounds to 210, which came with a velocity increase. He’s got good control and could fit well in a rotation or the bullpen.

9th Round (268): Bligh Madris, OF, Colorado Mesa U.

Lookout Landing profiled Madris here, citing his good bat and plus speed. He does not appear to be on BA’s top 500 list, so this could be another signability pick.

LL was pretty excited about him, though:

10th Round (298): Beau Sulser, RHP, Dartmouth Coll.

Sulser, a California native, walked five batters in 45 innings this year. He’s listed at 6’2”, 195. He’s a senior and should also be an easy sign. He played summer ball for the Savannah Bananas.