2024 MLB Draft: Pirates add four college arms on Day Two

The Pittsburgh Pirates had eight draft picks on the second day of the MLB draft and they went heavy on college pitchers selecting four of them. Starting in round three, they selected left-handed pitcher Josh Hartle out of Wake Forest, and then in rounds 6-8, they took three in a row. The Pirates also selected an outfielder, a catcher, a second baseman, and a shortstop.

Here is a look at all eight picks on day two of the draft:

3rd Round, Pick 83: LHP Josh Hartle, Wake Forest

Hartle had a chance to go in the first two rounds out of high school in the 2021 draft, but took himself out of the running when he announced his intention to attend Wake Forest. After a very strong 2023 season, Hartle entered his draft season as a possible first-round pick. However, things do not go as planned in 2024. He posted an ERA of 5.74 in 74.2 innings and 15 starts.

Hartle has a very easy delivery that he can replicate pitch to pitch, allowing him to throw strikes on a regular basis. His fastball sits around 90 mph and tops out at 92. Throws the cutter a lot (especially last season when he struggled) and although there is good movement on the pitch, the pitch got barrelled up time and time again in 2024. His curveball is the best pitch in his tool box and he does a good job of using the bottom of the strike zone to have hitters chase. His changeup is a work in progress and he seems to lose the feel for it at times and it becomes very flat.

The Pirates are betting on Hartle bouncing back after the rough season he suffered in 2024, and to regain the form he had in his sophomore season when he went 11-2 with a 2.81 ERA. Hartle will add another arm to an organization that has done a good job of stockpiling talent as of late.

4th Round, Pick 112: SS Eddie Rynders, Wisconsin Lutheran High School

The Pirates selected their third high school shortstop in the first four rounds with the selection of Eddie Rynders. Rynders is 6-foot-2, 195 pounds. He lacks the lateral quickness to play shortstop at the professional level and many scouts see him getting moved to third base.

Rynders projects power from his left-handed swing and can spray the ball to all fields. His swing has a bit of an uppercut and he may struggle to make as much contact in the professional ranks.

The Pirates love taking middle infielders, but the truth is Rynders will end up at third base in the organization. Pittsburgh is loading up on very young talent early in this 2024 draft.

5th Round, Pick 145: OF Will Taylor, Clemson

Will Taylor is a right-handed hitting outfielder who was the No. 21 prospect in the 2021 MLB Draft on BA’s board when he was coming out of Dutch Fork High School in Irmo, South Carolina, but had a strong commitment to Clemson University to play both football and baseball. He was drafted anyway by the Texas Rangers in the 19th round, but never signed.

Taylor is an athletic outfielder who has struggled with his bat in college. He suffered a torn ACL while playing football as a freshman. His best season was his only healthy season at Clemson, when he hit .362 with five home runs, but also struck out 56 strikeouts in 281 plate appearances.

Taylor has lost some of his burst that he was known for in high school but should still be a capable center fielder. Taylor has the makings of a project for the Pirates who really need outfield depth throughout the organization.

6th Round, Pick 174: RHP Matt Ager, UC Santa Barbara

Matt Ager is a 6-foot-6 right handed pitcher who has a smooth delivery that he repeats and is able to have command of all of his pitches. Ager has a four pitch arsenal and has the capability of pounding the strike zone with his 92-mph fastball. His best secondary pitch is a low-80s slider that has excellent bite and misses bats. He also throws a 12-to-6 curveball and a changeup.

He lost his spot in the rotation this past spring because his command and results were not what was expected. He bounced back and put up decent numbers– 3-4 with a 4.02 ERA and striking out 59 hitters in 62.2 innings.

Ager is a strike-throwing pitcher who’s best quality is his command. He suffered an oblique injury last season and may be a big reason his production slipped. The Pirates add another collegiate arm that has shown some upside. His control is good, but he will need to polish up his secondary pitches.

7th Round, Pick 204: LHP Connor Wietgrefe, Minnesota

Wietgrefe is a 6-foot-2 left handed pitcher from the University of Minnesota. He made his debut in the rotation this past season and went 8-4 with a 2.77 ERA. He struck out 74 and walked 26 in 78 innings for the Golden Gophers.

He throws at a three-quarters arm slot which at times can be deceptive to left handed hitters. Wietgrefe has a four-pitch mix which consists of a sinker, slider, cutter and changeup. His slider effectively induces poor contact, especially against right-handed batters (39% whiff rate). This is not to mention he can throw it for strikes at a pretty high rate in general (49% zone rate). It cuts in on right handers, making it more of a challenge to make solid contact.

His fastball and slider are his go-to pitches and he needs to get a solid third pitch in order to take the next step in his development. The Pirates grab their second collegiate left-handed pitcher, who may project as a relief pitcher if he cannot obtain a third pitch he feels comfortable with.

8th Round Pick, 234: RHP Gavin Adams, Florida State

Gavin Adams is a 6-foot-4 right handed pitcher who did not pitch in 2024, he was recovering from Tommy John surgery. He pitched for Indian River State College in 2023, and went 2-2 with a 3.76 ERA. He struck out 44 batters in 26.1 innings pitched. 

Before his injury, Adams fastball was sitting in the upper 90’s and has hit 100-101 mph. He throws an above average slider that sits in the upper 80’s. His changeup sits in the upper 80’s as well and is not as refined as the slider. His command is spotty in his limited collegiate action. He walked 19 in 26.1 innings in 2023.

This is a lottery pick for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Hoping they can nurse Adams back from Tommy John surgery and possibly have a diamond in the rough with his velocity and athleticism on the mound. Adams is the fourth collegiate pitcher taken on day two, but he will more than likely take a lot longer to climb through the organization than the other three. 

9th Round Pick, 264: 2B Duce Gourson, UCLA

Gourson has played shortstop in the past, but played all 48 last year as a second baseman. He is smooth in the field but his arm best translates as a second baseman. He has a beautiful left-handed swing that generates gap power and the potential to hit double digit home runs. Last season at UCLA, he hit .288 with seven home runs. 

Gourson has a phenomenal eye at the plate and year in and year out has outstanding OBP% numbers. His overall approach at the plate is advanced and he barely chases outside of the zone (20%) and his zone-contact rate of 88.3% shows his ability to put the bat on the ball. 

This was a solid 9th round pick for the Pirates considering Gourson’s hitting ability. He has the makings of a .270 hitter who can hit 12-15 home runs down the road.

10th Round pick, 294: C Derek Berg, Army West Point

 Derek Berg is an athletic catcher with some power in his bat. He started his career at Army as a second baseman and has since settled in nicely behind the plate. He was unranked by Baseball America, but put up solid numbers in 2024, hitting .290 with 15 home runs in 200 at bats.

His defense behind the plate is solid and he has an above average arm. He is not going to clog up the base paths either, he stole 34 bases in his career. 

He is a four-year senior, so should be an easy signing for the Pirates. As Pittsburgh have seen in the past several seasons, you can never have enough catching depth in your organization, and a player like Berg who is tough mentally and has some power in his bat, could be a steal in round 10.