The Pittsburgh Pirates signed five draft picks on Wednesday and there could be more names on the way tonight or tomorrow. As for right now, we can confirm that the following players signed their contracts today:
11th round. Alex Manasa
22. Brett Pope
23. Ben Bengtson
28. Matt Seelinger
All except Seelinger still had college eligibility left. We also know that 42nd overall pick Steven Jennings was on his way to Pittsburgh today, so he would be the big name that we hear about when they make an official announcement. We will post any updates from tonight in this article and I’ll update the title if that happens. I’ve linked each name to their player page and our draft tracker has been updated.
That didn’t take long. As promised, here are the other names from today:
16. Hunter Stratton
20. Will Reed
26. Lucas Tancas
All three had college eligibility left. The Pirates have announced 20 signings and the actual number is over 25 with seven college seniors unannounced, who just may not be official yet.
Manasa, Reed, Stratton and Bengtson are all assigned to Bristol. The other four are off to Morgantown.
John started working at Pirates Prospects in 2009, but his connection to the Pittsburgh Pirates started exactly 100 years earlier when Dots Miller debuted for the 1909 World Series champions. John was born in Kearny, NJ, two blocks from the house where Dots Miller grew up. From that hometown hero connection came a love of Pirates history, as well as the sport of baseball.
When he didn't make it as a lefty pitcher with an 80+ MPH fastball and a slider that needed work, John turned to covering the game, eventually focusing in on the prospects side, where his interest was pushed by the big league team being below .500 for so long. John has covered the minors in some form since the 2002 season, and leads the draft and international coverage on Pirates Prospects. He writes daily on Pittsburgh Baseball History, when he's not covering the entire system daily throughout the entire year on Pirates Prospects.
Off topic…but Hurdle costs the team another game by stubbornly using Hudson in a high leverage situation…another HR and loss
2017-2013 11th rounders drafted by Neal Huntington:
Alex Manasa, Max Kranick, Christian Kelly, Gage Hinsz, Eric Weiss
2012-2008 11th rounders drafted by Neal Huntington:
Chris Diaz, Jo-El Bennett-Lowe (unsigned), Dan Grovatt, Aaron Baker, David Rubinstein
I’m not saying the first group is breaking down doors or anything but its a solid group for being the 300-something guy being picked, so I’m guessing the draft rules changed prior to the 2013 draft and Neal figured out how to get talent other organizations skipped over for various reasons. I’m interested in Manasa because he seems to be as close to a blank slate in terms of pitching experience (wear and tear) while possessing the physical build and arm talent this front office covets.
Don’t knock that second group. Aaron Baker got us Derrek Lee who had a magical 28 games in 2011. Then he loved playing with the Pirates so much he retired that offseason. Give NH credit for drafting Hinsz and Kranick when I’m not sure either were likely to sign. Both I think took much less then they were asking for if memory serves.
Jerry Lane putting on a show for why umps shouldn’t call balls/strikes. Stop the insanity.
MLB should fine umps for such blatant incompetence. Makes one wonder if he had money on the game.
The problem is they are all that bad at one time or another. It’s not humanly possible to be as accurate as they could have it if they just went to letting cameras/computers call balls/strikes.
That was Jerry Meals, actually.
No, actually it was Jerry Layne
Jerry Meals incognito
Jerry Lewis could have done a better job.
The legendary Jerry Meals.
Polanco was forced to swing at anything off within a 7 foot radius after “strike 2” there.
John … I know Busby’s still playing but has there ever been an indication that he would or would not sign?
Also, I read Tim and your Morgantown article which stated he would their only player in the top 50 if he signed. Was that implying he would be around 50 or just stressing that no one else is even in the top 50?
I think they meant he was the only decent prospect on a weak roster. I would hope a college junior, with our current minor league system, would be top 15.
That’s what I was hoping to – at least top 20
No questions about Busby are allowed until next Thursday. Where is deacs and why isn’t he doing his job?
Tim was stressing top 50, as in one player from a whole team will make it.
Sorry about that. Have you heard any news concerning Mike Gretler from Oregon State?
Don’t apologize to John. You have a thirst for knowledge and he has answers. After a couple of scotches Saturday night I’m going to start asking about an updated top 30 before all these guys sign. He loves that. Loves it.
In all seriousness, I am starting to think about that. Are Meadows, Newman, and Hinsz dropping a tier? Did Tucker, Craig, Kramer, and Nunez do enough to rise up a tier?
These are the kinds of things I need to know – now!
I just saw this!! Not my fault.
Maybe we should start a go fund me to add to Busby’s bonus if he signs early just to reduce the questions (jk).
Looks like FSU may be out of the WS tonight…
Typically guys take about a week after playoffs to sign…….I’m told. I think he’s going to sign.
great we can start badgering john about busby.
Yes, be sure to ask him about it every day. 🙂
I think John said something about badgering him everyday about Busby for the next week… or something like that.
Yes. I distinctly remember John saying that he should be signing within a week of his WS exit!