Pirates Take Prep Pitchers in 4th and 5th Rounds

The Pittsburgh Pirates selected prep pitchers in the fourth and fifth rounds, taking Colten Brewer in the fourth round, and Tyler Glasnow in the fifth round.

Colten Brewer

Brewer wasn’t ranked in the Baseball America top 200, although he was the #38 prospect out of Texas this year.  He works in the 87-91 MPH range, touching 93 with a sinking fastball.  He is 6′ 4″, 200 pounds, which gives him the chance to fill out and add velocity later in his career.  He’s almost similar to Zack Dodson, in that he’s a talented fourth round pick with presumably a weak college commitment that would likely require an over-slot bonus.  Brewer has a commitment to Weatherford JC in Texas.  In 56.2 innings in 2010 he had a 1.36 ERA and an 89:20 K/BB ratio.

Tyler Glasnow

Glasnow is a projectability pick.  Baseball America did not have him rated among the top 105 prospects in southern California.  He grew rapidly in high school, eight inches after his freshman year.  His velocity also increased rapidly, eventually to the upper 80s to low 90s, reaching as high as 93.  He also throws a slider, curve and change.  He’s considered a good athlete, so the Pirates are no doubt hoping he could break out once he grows into his body.  He has a college commitment to Portland.