While the final draft order for 2019 won’t be set until after free agency ends at some point next year, the Pittsburgh Pirates already know that they will have the 18th overall pick in the 2019 draft.
The Pirates finished with the 14th best record in baseball this season. With the Braves owning a compensation pick at ninth overall for not signing their 2018 first round pick, that left the Pirates with the 18th overall pick. Unlike previous years, that pick is already set in stone because the new draft pick forfeiture rules keep any team ahead of the Pirates from losing a pick. Every team’s highest first round pick is now protected and no team has two picks before the Pirates make their first selection.
The Pirates selected tenth overall in 2018, 12th in 2017 and 22nd in 2016. They already know that they will have the 37th overall pick as compensation for failing to sign Gunnar Hoglund this year. They will also receive a competitive balance pick after the second round. That will be announce in November.