The Pittsburgh Pirates have reached an agreement to sign 23rd round pick Jared Lakind, Pirates Prospects has learned and confirmed with multiple sources. Lakind is an Arkansas recruit who plays first base and is also a left handed pitcher. As a pitcher, he gets his fastball up to 90 MPH, although he is probably best as a hitter.
Lakind rated in the top 100 prospects in Perfect Game’s top 500 high school prospects for 2010, coming in at #69. He rated as the #99 prospect in the draft out of Texas in Baseball America’s rankings.
Lakind would probably be an over-slot signing, although the signing bonus isn’t known right now. It’s also unknown whether the Pirates will use Lakind as a pitcher or as a first baseman.
I mentioned earlier this week that the Pirates seem to be moving on from Austin Kubitza and Zach Weiss, focusing on later round signings. This further supports that theory. Once Lakind is signed, the Pirates will have 23 draft picks signed from the 2010 draft class.
UPDATE 8:49 PM: Baseball America reports that Lakind received a $400,000 bonus. That’s $250,000 over MLB’s recommended maximum of $150,000 after the fifth round. Lakind’s bonus if the fourth highest announced bonus so far of all the Pirates’ picks that have signed.
