The Pirates decided to take a chance in the 14th round tonight by drafting right-handed pitcher Connor Hamilton from Montgomery Bell Academy (Tenn.) at No. 413.
High school players can be difficult to sign in late rounds, given the options they have available to them and Hamilton has plenty. He's 19, has committed to Vanderbilt and at 6-4, 195 pounds, he's rated as the top right-handed pitcher in Tennessee, per Perfect Game. He is originally from Toronto, Canada, but moved to Tennessee before his freshman year and has seen his draft stock rise. He utilizes a four-pitch mix with a fastball, curveball, slider and changeup.
He was ranked No. 299 by Baseball America, which states: "The pitch (fastball) misses bats with solid carry, and he will also mix in a lower spin, slurvy breaking ball in the upper 70s and lower 80s, as well as a mid-80s changeup that needs a bit more feel."
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THE ASYLUM
The Pirates decided to take a chance in the 14th round tonight by drafting right-handed pitcher Connor Hamilton from Montgomery Bell Academy (Tenn.) at No. 413.
High school players can be difficult to sign in late rounds, given the options they have available to them and Hamilton has plenty. He's 19, has committed to Vanderbilt and at 6-4, 195 pounds, he's rated as the top right-handed pitcher in Tennessee, per Perfect Game. He is originally from Toronto, Canada, but moved to Tennessee before his freshman year and has seen his draft stock rise. He utilizes a four-pitch mix with a fastball, curveball, slider and changeup.
He was ranked No. 299 by Baseball America, which states: "The pitch (fastball) misses bats with solid carry, and he will also mix in a lower spin, slurvy breaking ball in the upper 70s and lower 80s, as well as a mid-80s changeup that needs a bit more feel."
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