The Pittsburgh Pirates came into the 2015 MLB Draft with a clear objective; In the first three rounds Pittsburgh selected four fielders, three of which being infielders. After selecting short stop Kevin Newman and third basemen Ke’Bryan Hayes, the Pirates looked to continue filling the holes on the left part of the infield and add on to their pitching depth.
Round 2, Pick 62: Kevin Kramer, SS, UCLA (CA)
The Pittsburgh Pirates entered the day looking for the best options that satisfied the needs of the organization. Kevin Kramer, 21, fit the bill as he accumulated a batting average of .297, 114 runs and 89 RBI over his three seasons at UCLA.
Just a season ago, the homegrown Turlock, Ca. junior had to have surgery to repair his right shoulder. Kramer took a season off and recorded his best season as a Bruin where he posted a .323 batting average, on base percentage of .476 and 82 hits in 254 at bats.
The 6-foot, 195 pound infielder may not have much power, but with an advanced approach at the plate and quick hands, Kramer could turn into an extra base machine.
Round 3, Pick 62: Casey Hughston, LF, Alabama (AL)
In the third round, Pittsburgh selected Casey Hughston, a speedy outfielder who has good power, but lacks discipline. Although improved from years past, Hughston still tends to swing too aggressively at the plate.
Reaching 6-foot-2 and weighing 205 pounds, this native of Mobile, Al. has impressive speed and the ability to play center field. Hughston does have questionable tendencies out in center, as he has played most of his career playing in left or right field.
In his two years at Alabama the 21-year-old has a .306 batting average, 125 hits, 27 extra base hits and 69 RBI. The left-handed batter will most likely see his playing time coming on the corner outfields, but if his reaction and route running improve, he could become a subpar center fielder.
Round 4, Pick 127: Jacob Taylor, RHP, Pearl River Community College (MS)
Jacob Taylor, a converted pitcher from the outfield, stands in at 6-foot-3 and weighs 205 pounds. Raised in Picayune, Miss. the sophomore posted a 1.24 ERA, captured 8 wins and struck out 99 batters in 96 innings pitched.
Taylor is durable and shows a good delivery on the mound. He has an average fastball clocking in at around 93 mph, but has been seen throwing as fast as 97 mph. The right-hander struggles with command and control. His slider is a solid pitch when accurate and has a changeup that still needs to develop, but shows promise.
If Taylor wants to be a major leaguer or a starter at all, he needs to have better command over his pitches. Luckily, this young kid has found himself in the arms of one of the league’s best in turning out prized pitching prospects. It will be exciting to see how Taylor develops.
Round 5, Pick 157: Brandon Waddell, LHP, Virginia (VA)
Brandon Waddell, while struggling this year as a junior, has had a solid track record since he has pitched for the University of Virginia. The 6-foot-3, 180 pound lefty had an outstanding sophomore year as he posted a respectable 2.45 ERA, 10 wins and held batters to a .236 batting average.
Waddell had a knack to throw strikes often and can throw his fastball in the lower 90s . His struggles this season can be attributed to his regression in command as well as blister issues that has plagued the Houston, Texas pitcher for quite some time.
Not too long ago Waddell pitched a shutout in the College World Series and helped his team win a championship. He threw lights out in the NCAA Tournament that same year (3-0, 1.59 ERA) and can prove to be a pest for batters. However, if his control does not significantly improve to what it was a year ago, he may not reach his full potential.
Round 6, Pick 187: Jonathan Brubaker, RHP, Akron (OH)
Jonathan Brubaker is a player that was not ranked by some major outlets, but he found himself in the lap of the Pittsburgh Pirates when he was drafted earlier in the day. The 6-foot-4 right-handed pitcher is capable of throwing his fastball upwards of 94 mph.
Brubaker has exhibited control issues, but is said to have masterfully improved that aspect of his game. As a junior at the University of Akron, he went 5-4 with a 3.63 ERA and led the team in strikeouts (72) and starts (15). He has a typical three-pitch mix and has good stuff when his control is pinpoint.
Round 7, Pick 217: Mitchell Tolman, 3B, Oregon (OR)
With only a handful picks left for the day, Pittsburgh would end up drafting Mitchell Tolman in the seventh round, a player that became one of Oregon’s most consistent players. The 21-year-old left hitting third baseman has never hit below .315 in three years as a Duck and shows signs of being a plus contact hitter.
In his three years at Oregon, Tolman has accumulated 196 hits, 128 RBI and 55 extra base hits. The California born player runs well, but shows little discipline in his swing, striking out a total of 119 times in 615 total at bats. Tolman also has the tendency of getting caught trying to steal, but is something that can be fixed while in the Pirates’ system.
Round 8, Pick 247: Seth McGarry, RHP, Florida Atlantic (FL)
Seth McGarry, 21, pitched in a solid fashion over the course of his three years at Florida Atlantic. The pitcher out of Bradenton, Fla. has the tools to become a starter, but has seen most of his playing time come from off of the bench. A stress fracture has limited McGarry’s playing time, although when healthy he has been able to shut games down.
In his three seasons, he has a 2.21 ERA, a record of 6-2, but only has 61 total inning pitched and started three games. McGarry’s fastball registers around 97 with his fastball and is tough for batters to swing through. If he is able to stay healthy he may become a good and reliable arm in the bullpen at some level.
Round 9, Pick 277: Bret Helton, RHP, Utah (UT)
Bret Helton is a big 6-foot-3, 190-pound right-hander whose father, Barry Helton, played four years in the NFL and won two Super Bowls with the San Francisco 49ers. The junior out of Colorado Springs, Colorado went 2-8 in 18 appearances in 2015.
Over his three years Helton has a 5.67 ERA, a 4-12 record and 127 innings pitched. This pick marks the fifth pitcher that the Pirates selected so far in this draft.
Round 10, Pick 307: Logan Sendelbach, RHP, Tiffin (OH)
Pittsburgh selected right-handed picture Logan Sendelbach as their final pick for the day. The Tiffin, Ohio native is 6-foot-3 and 165 pounds with the ability to make batters swing and miss. As a junior Sendelbach went 5-3, posted a 2.84 ERA, and finished off five complete games in 11 appearances.
Sendelbach does a good job in tying players up in places they can’t hit the ball, his biggest concern will be his consistency and ability to adjust to better hitting.
