Pirates took Baseball America’s 84th and 102nd ranked prospects with first two picks

The Pirates made a questionable pick in Round 1 with the selection of Cole Tucker, and with the 39th pick they took another puzzling pick, selecting a college player who wasn’t rated among the top 100 prospects.

The Pittsburgh Pirates selected outfielder/first baseman Connor Joe with the 39th overall selection in the 2014 First-Year Player Draft. The Pirates received the pick in Competitive Balance Round A as a result of trading RHP Bryan Morris to the Miami Marlins.

The right-handed-hitting Joe hit .367 (80-for-218) with 21 doubles, two triples, nine home runs and 51 RBI in 53 games during his junior year at the University of San Diego this past season. He led the team in home runs and RBI.

Joe was Baseball America’s 102nd ranked prospect, MLB ranked him 110, so both are consistent in that Joe was a 3rd/4th round prospect. He doesn’t project to be a power hitter.

With the 64th pick, the Pirates selected right-hander Mitch Keller from Xavier (Iowa) High School. Keller has a good frame at 6-3, 195, and his fast ball touched 92-95 in his senior year. He’s regarded as having a nasty curve.

The Pirates feel he is a high ceiling pitcher but could be tough to sign. Keller is committed to North Carolina. The Pirates bonus allotment at pick No. 64 is $886,800.

Keller was the No. 1 rated player in Iowa and Baseball America’s 76th ranked prospect. MLB ranked him 69th. He is widely looked at as the Pirates best selection of day 1 when it comes to a players ceiling.

With the 73rd pick, the Pirates selected right-hander Trey Supak from La Grange High (Texas) School. He is 6-5, 210, and throws 88-92. MLB ranked him No. 62, Baseball America No. 99.