The 2018 MLB amateur draft begins tonight at 7 PM and the Pittsburgh Pirates have the tenth overall pick. On the last day of the draft, we usually get the final mock drafts from experts as they here rumors leading up to the first name being called. We will post those final mock drafts below and update the title whenever a new one is added. Then tonight we will have complete coverage of the three picks made by the Pirates.
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If you missed it from yesterday, we posted our tiered draft rankings, using everything we posted throughout the draft coverage season, along with the rankings around the industry from draft experts, to try to fit the players into groups that match up with the Pirates and their 10th, 36th and 51st overall picks.
As for the mock drafts so far this morning, MLB Pipeline posted one that includes picks from both Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo. They also promised an update later tonight.
Callis has the Pirates going for Cole Winn, which is a name mentioned here often. He also said that the Pirates have been looking at college bats, which is not something we have heard anytime recently. Last time a college bat was mentioned for them was when Joey Bart was climbing up the draft rankings, but he will definitely be gone before they pick. I think they would take a college bat if one falls to them, so I wouldn’t rule out a college bat happening, but it seems unlikely that one of the top ones will get to them.
Jonathan Mayo has Matthew Liberatore for the Pirates. He mentions that this pick would be the floor for Liberatore and I agree. I don’t think he gets to the Pirates, but I also can’t imagine they would pass on him if he did. Both Callis and Mayo mention Grayson Rodriguez, while Ryan Weathers and Jordyn Adams also come up. I’ve linked our articles that have scouting reports and videos to each player’s name.
Keith Law has his final mock draft for ESPN Insiders, though he put final in quotation marks, so there might be another if rumors come up. He has the Pirates taking Nolan Gorman, a prep third baseman with a big bat, who is usually off the board before this spot. We profiled him early in our draft coverage, so he has consistently been ranked high. Law also mentions Liberatore, Weathers and Adams as possibilities, along with prep outfielder Connor Scott and prep pitcher Carter Stewart.
As mentioned above, any new mock drafts today will be posted below. So check back later and look for an updated title, which will indicate a new mock draft has been added.
UPDATE #1 – Baseball America posted their latest mock draft, which might not be their final one. They have the Pirates going for Cole Winn. What’s interesting to note is that they mention the college hitter route as well as a possibility, naming Travis Swaggerty as someone they might consider. He’s a bit of a reach at this spot, but also the best college hitter who will be available most likely. We profiled him here very early this year and his stock has fallen a little since then.
UPDATE #2 – Keith Law has heard some recent rumblings and his updated mock draft for ESPN Insiders now has Matthew Liberatore. More info on him in the link above where his name is highlighted.
This thread has already been a discussion thread, but now it’s officially one leading up to the draft. I’m expecting another update from Mayo and Callis as well. Not sure about BA.
UPDATE #3 – BA posted a new one at 6:10 PM and it sounds like they might have another. Now they have Pirates going for Jarred Kelenic, who was the original pick for the Pirates way back in late February or early March. His report and video can be found here.
UPDATE #4 – Unless this is a mix-up on the MLB Pipeline site, Jim Callis and Jonathan Mayo have the same top 16 picks, pick-for-pick, in their final mock draft. I’ve never seen anything close to that since they’ve been working together. They both have Pirates going for Cole Winn. That’s what Callis had earlier, while Mayo had Liberatore, who now goes seventh in his final mock.
Fangraphs also has their final mock and they have Pirates going for Carter Stewart, who is profiled above (look for his highlighted name). He’s been mentioned often around this area, so it would not be a surprising pick.
