
The Pittsburgh Pirates closed out their 2011 draft by selecting three more position players. Â The highlight of rounds 46-50 was 47th round pick Jordan Deluca, who comes from Saxton, PA, just south of Altoona. Â Deluca has a commitment to Indiana University of Pennsylvania. Â He displays good speed and a good arm, making him a good fit for center field.
Jeff Schalk, RF, 46th Round
Schalk ranked 50th in a weak Illinois draft class. Â He is very athletic, with good strength. Â He was mostly a first baseman, although the Pirates drafted him as a right fielder, which is where he profiles best, due to his strong throwing arm and ability to move around in the outfield. Â He has quick hands and squares up on the ball well. Â He’s a projectable hitter, although he might be a tough buy out of his UAB commitment at this stage.
Jordan Deluca, CF, 47th Round
Deluca is from Saxton, PA, which is just south of Altoona. Â He put up impressive numbers in high school in 2011, with a .490 average and great power, hitting six homers in 51 at-bats. Â Deluca runs a 6.59 60-yard dash, and displays his speed with eight steals this past year. Â He also showed good plate patience with 22 walks and six strikeouts. Â He throws 86 MPH from the outfield, which combined with his speed makes him an ideal center field prospect. Â He has a commitment to the Indiana University of Pennsylvania.
Zach Thompson, RHP, 48th Round
Thompson was named to the First Team 4A All-District Baseball team as a first baseman. Â The Pirates drafted him as a right hander. Â He’s got a tall, projectable frame. Â His brother Matt plays in the Texas Rangers’ farm system. Â No word on where he is committed to play college ball.
Austin White, 3B, 49th Round
White has a commitment to play baseball at Seminole State Junior College in Oklahoma next year. Â In 2011 he put up a .384 average and reached base in half of his plate appearances. Â He hit for some extra bases, and showed some speed with 16 stolen bases. Â He didn’t rank in a weak Arkansas class.
Zechariah Lemond, RHP, 50th Round
Lemond was a two-way player in high school, but the Pirates drafted him as a pitcher. That’s unusual for them, as he’s well below their preferred height of 6’4″. Baseball America ranked him the 106th best prospect in Texas in a good year for the state. Lemond is also a football star. He’s probably a backup plan for the Pirates in case they don’t sign some of their preferred selections from the early rounds.
Most Voted Comments
Pirates Discussion: Ro Day Has…
I angered DK by calling out his flip flopping and…
Pirates Discussion: Return From the…
This is fun: GM Mike Elias: Orioles will "significantly escalate…
Pirates Discussion: Pirates Look to…
It gets worse the more you look into it. According…
Pirates Discussion: Ro Day Has…
Blocked by DK? You get a second Stargell Star!
Williams: Tanking
This season has been frustrating at a level I don't…
Active Comment Threads
This is fun: GM Mike Elias: Orioles will "significantly escalate…
Eckersley called out what I've been screaming into the void…
I have achieved the unachievable. I got photos of AJ…
Please, for the love of God send down O'neil. He's…
I struggle with D-Lo and Jimenez cause they're young enough…
Most Commented Posts
Pirates Discussion: Pirates Look to…
Pirates Discussion: Return From the…
Williams: Tanking
Early Look at the Pirates…
Pirates Discussion: Nine Game Homestand…
Recent Comments
If 3 strike outs is golden and 4 is platinum,…
Figuring out who they'll protect in a vacuum is kinda…
I bet there are some teams out there that wish…
Sorry, this team is not close to contending. Nothing will…
So here is my question: how much has Reynolds finding…