With the 2023 MLB Draft quickly approaching, the top draft prospects are making final pushes to prove to teams how valuable they can truly be to MLB clubs. With these last stitch pushes underway, the potential draft orders are finally coming to fruition. With this, we can finally take a look at who the Pittsburgh Pirates could be selecting during the MLB Draft, and some potential targets for Ben Cherrington. In today’s article, I’ll be going over draft targets, and more for the Pirates this summer.

Pick #1: Dylan Crews

There really isn’t a debate when it comes to taking Dylan Crews with the number one overall pick this summer, as Crews is arguably the best draft prospect we’ve seen since Bryce Harper. Crews is truly generational talent, and he’s done nothing but show his abilities to the fullest playing with LSU this spring. This spring, Crews has hit 17 homers, 15 doubles, driven in 67, walked 65 times, only struck out 40 times, and slashed .434/.576/.735 with a 1.310 OPS. Crews is still finishing out his historic college season with LSU in the College World Series, but it’s easy how the sweet swinging righty is the clear number one prospect. Crews is truly an incredibly well rounded player, and it’s been good enough to get him nominated for the Golden Spikes Award, and to win him SEC Player of the Year. Crews brings a powerful presence to a Pirates lineup who are in desperate need of another bat, especially when you take into consideration he could make it to the MLB in a year or two. With Crews displaying elite mechanics and plate discipline, trying to do something tricky here and taking anyone else besides Crews is just asking for trouble. The Pirates need to not mess this up, and draft one of the best players of our generation in Dylan Crews, first overall.

Pick #2: Cameron Johnson

Johnson, a left-handed pitcher out of IMG Academy in Florida, has been spectacular through his high school career. Johnson is a strong lefty presence with first round upside, so to have him fall to the Pirates at number 42 overall sounds like a match made in heaven. The Pirates are known for drafting powerful lefties early in the draft, as they’ve drafted players such as Anthony Solometo, Michael Kennedy, and Hunter Barco over the course of the last few seasons, and Johnson sounds like a tremendous addition to this trio. Johnson is currently committed to LSU, but being drafted this early almost certainly means he’ll be taking the professional baseball journey earlier than anticipated. Johnson boasts strong pitches, such as a 60 grade fastball, 55 grade slider, and a 45 grade changeup, which are all high praise for the lefty. His fastball consistently touches the high 90s, a feat which will be very valuable at the pro level. Any time you can get first round talent this late in the draft, you have to jump on the opportunity, and Johnson seems like the right pick for the Pirates at number 42 overall.

Pick #3: Ryan Lasko

Lasko, an incredibly athletic outfielder out of Rutgers, provides incredible upside for the Pittsburgh Pirates with their third selection in the draft. Lasko has scouts in total awe at his pure athleticism, as he was constantly flying all over the diamond to make spectacular catches. Along with his jaw-dropping defense, Lasko also provides some of the best bat-to-ball skills in this summer’s draft, while also maintaining a lot of power. In 2023, Lasko hit 18 doubles, 3 triples, 11 homers, drove in 54, stole 18 bags, slashed .330/.428/.582 with a 1.010 OPS, and he only struck out 34 times all year. As you can see, Lasko is a true 5-tool player, and he’d make a great addition to the Pirates origination. Although the system is clogged with outfielders, many of them are severely underperforming, which gives Lasko a perfect opportunity to slot in as part of the future. Lasko has scouts calling him, “A better and more athletic Todd Frazier.” As well as more comparisons across the board. With some more adjustments in professional baseball, there’s no doubt in my mind Lasko could also add more power to his tool set. Overall, Lasko makes a great case to be the third selection by the Pirates in this upcoming draft.

Pick #4: Caden Grice

Grice, a 6’6″/250 lbs two-way player out of Clemson is a true can’t miss prospect. Grice is undoubtedly one of the best two-way prospects the draft has ever seen, and his tools should translate incredibly to the professional level. This year was by far Grice’s best season, as he would be named an All-American, won two-way player of the year, he was named ACC Tournament MVP, and was a semi-finalist for the Golden Spikes Award. Grice is a great low-round target, as he provides incredible upside on both sides of the baseball. On the hitting side this year, Grice hit 15 doubles, 18 homers, 68 RBI, 30 walks, slashed .307/.411/.618 with a 1.029 OPS. As you can see, Grice would be a much needed power addition to the organization, and would be a great pickup late in the draft. Along with his amazing offensive numbers, Grice is a very gifted left-handed pitcher as well. This year, Grice pitched to a 3.35 ERA, 101 strikeouts in just 78 innings, 1.11 WHIP, and a 11.7 K/9. The Pirates previously experimented heavily with two-way talent, as they selected Bubba Chandler to do both back in 2021. While it’s important to note that Chandler would make the switch to just pitching ahead of the 2023 season, but the Pirates are still certainly open to taking chances on two-way talents. Grice provides incredible upside on the pitching and hitting side of things, and he should definitely be the Pirates 4th selection. Check out my full write-up on Grice below.

Pick #5: Josh Rivera

Rivera, a 6’2″/215 lbs shortstop out of Florida is definitely one of the most interesting prospects in this year’s upcoming draft. Rivera, a former Padres 22nd round selection, has blossomed into one of the best all around players in the country. Rivera has all the tools to be a 5-tool star in professional baseball. In 2023, Rivera hit 17 homers, 9 doubles, 68 RBI, 16 stolen bases, slashed .362/.465/.633 with a 1.098 OPS, and he only struck out 26 times all year. Rivera is beyond talented, and it was very encouraging to see his power abilities shine through this spring, along with his elite bat-to-ball skills. There is a chance Rivera goes earlier in the draft, but a lot of scouts have him falling close to the Pirates 5th selection. If Rivera is still available, he provides a lot of upside on both sides of the baseball, and a fall-back option in case the current infield prospects flop. Rivera could also move quicker than someone like Termarr Johnson due to his age, making it a possibility Rivera is used heavily to begin with. Rivera’s main concern is the fact that he battled arm issues in 2022, which is part of the reason scouts see him falling below where he’s projected to go. Rivera’s arm issues may come in clutch though, as it gives Pittsburgh some upside when it’s time for contract negotiations.

Pick #6: Gavin Grahovac

Gavin Grahovac, a 6’3″/210 lbs OF/C provides incredible upside in this summer’s upcoming draft. Grahovac has an incredibly smooth stroke at the plate, something that will prove to be very valuable against high velocity. With versatility behind the plate and the outfield, Grahovac would be a very valuable addition to the Pirates organization. Grahovac is currently committed to Texas A&M, so signing him may be difficult. But, for a player of his caliber, it’s more than worth it. Scouts are currently worrying about his future profile, but if he’s anything like his cousin Garrett Mitchell, he’ll be incredible. Gavin profiles as an incredible power bat, as he constantly outperformed top draft talents at Perfect Game events. While Grahovac has raised some concerns about his swing and misses, his power is fully worth the risk. Grahovac also played shortstop in highschool, but that is certainly not an option long-term for the righty. Wherever the star prospect ends up playing, he is fully worth the time of development in this upcoming draft for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Final Thoughts

After taking a look at some of the potential Pirates selections in the upcoming MLB Draft, it’s easy to debate who should and shouldn’t be considered. But one thing is for certain, and that is that Dylan Crews must go first overall. If he doesn’t, that will be one of the biggest failures in Pirates history, and should be immediate grounds for the firing of Ben Cherrington. As for the rest of the draft, it’s easy to debate who could be taken, but I think the names I listed should be considered, and taken in their respective rounds. The Pirates must be smart with who they select after the first pick, but there is room for debate as to who all can be taken.