The odds of the Pirates getting Kumar Rocker just got a lot better.
While Major League Baseball's commissioner, Rob Manfred, has the unilateral authority to change the order of the major-league draft, a report Tuesday by ESPN’s Jeff Passan indicated that it is “highly likely” the order will be based on each team’s record. In that case, the Pirates would very likely have the top overall pick next year.
In the March agreement the league and players association are operating under, the league has the power to change the draft order since they did not play 80 games. However, that clause was mostly included in case the season was abruptly cancelled. With the exception of just a couple games, the league is set to complete the full slate of contests they set forth in June.
The Pirates currently have the majors worst record at 16-39, and have lost 13 of their last 15 games.
They need a combination of three losses or wins by the Rangers to finish with the worst record in baseball. The Pirates beat the Cubs, 3-2, Tuesday night, while the Rangers lost to the Diamondbacks, 7-0.
The top prospect in this draft class is Vanderbilt right-hander Rocker, a 6-foot-4, 255-pound right-hander with a power fastball and slider. If the Pirates choose not to pick him, fellow Vanderbilt righty Jack Leiter is widely considered the second-best available talent.
Picking first overall would also increase the draft pool the Pirates have available, allowing them to spend more on draft prospects. This would have obvious appeal for Ben Cherington, who wants to invest into the farm system.
The Pirates have not had the top overall draft pick since 2011, when they selected Gerrit Cole.