Fresno State's Jack Anker, the Pirates' sixth-round pick -- No. 173 overall -- won't blow anyone away on the mound, but he'll fill up the strike zone.
Anker, 6-2, 200 pounds, was ranked No. 198 by MLB Pipeline and No. 492 by Baseball America. Anker produced a 5.46 ERA over a career-high 120 1/3 innings and struck out 130 batters while allowing 12 walks. But, as a control pitcher, he was all over the zone, which led to 146 hits.
"On the surface, what you see is a kid who has incredible strike-throwing ability, the ability to manipulate different pitch types, attack the zone, compete and find ways to win. That's a pretty good foundation," Justin Horowitz said.
Because Anker went to Fresno State, the Pirates feel he's "a little bit less tapped into," compared to an SEC pitcher. Horowitz said he feels the Pirates can help Anker with strength, delivery, and power, which would elevate him to an "interesting pitching prospect" with an arsenal that features a fastball, changeup, curveball and cutter.
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THE ASYLUM
Greg Macafee
4:40 pm - 07.14.2025DOWNTOWNFresno State's Jack Anker, the Pirates' sixth-round pick -- No. 173 overall -- won't blow anyone away on the mound, but he'll fill up the strike zone.
Anker, 6-2, 200 pounds, was ranked No. 198 by MLB Pipeline and No. 492 by Baseball America. Anker produced a 5.46 ERA over a career-high 120 1/3 innings and struck out 130 batters while allowing 12 walks. But, as a control pitcher, he was all over the zone, which led to 146 hits.
"On the surface, what you see is a kid who has incredible strike-throwing ability, the ability to manipulate different pitch types, attack the zone, compete and find ways to win. That's a pretty good foundation," Justin Horowitz said.
Because Anker went to Fresno State, the Pirates feel he's "a little bit less tapped into," compared to an SEC pitcher. Horowitz said he feels the Pirates can help Anker with strength, delivery, and power, which would elevate him to an "interesting pitching prospect" with an arsenal that features a fastball, changeup, curveball and cutter.
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