The Pittsburgh Pirates drafted LHP Cody Dickson from Sam Houston State in the fourth round of the MLB draft. Dickson is a 6′ 3″, 180 pound left hander who has had some problems with his delivery, but has a projectable frame and an easy throwing motion.
He had a 4.26 ERA in 95 innings this year, with a 91:51 K/BB ratio. That was a big increase in strikeouts from last year, when he had a 46:38 K/BB ratio in 72 innings, along with a 3.25 ERA. He’s got stuff that Baseball America described as “electric” in the 2012 summer leagues, with a low 90s fastball that touches 95. He also throws a plus curveball and a promising changeup. MLB.com says it has the chance to be a plus pitch.
Dickson has good stuff, especially for a left-hander, but lacks control. If the Pirates can work with him on his fastball command, they could get a good sleeper. He’s going to need to improve the changeup to be a starter, but a fastball that touches 95 and a plus curveball for a lefty is a good combo as a future lefty reliever.
