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2020 MLB draft chat, Day 1: 06.10.20
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Jason Mackey
5:45
Hi folks. Welcome to our draft day chat. Mike Persak and I will be here to answer all of your MLB and Pirates-related questions starting at 6 p.m.
Yuri
6:09
let’s try this again....will the release of a ton of minor leaguers earlier have any effect on today’s draft position wise?
Mike Persak
6:09
I don't personally think so. Cherington said last week that his strategy is, generally, to take the best player available. That's just kinda how you've got to do it in baseball. Too many variables not to.

Cherington told us in that same conference call that the Pirates would be making minor league cuts, so I don't think the cuts actually happening would have changed that strategy at all.
James
6:10
Thanks for the chat guys.  Any sleepers you would like to see the Pirates draft...maybe someone you have been keeping an eye on?
Mike Persak
6:11
At 7, it's hard to pick a sleeper, since all the guys remaining will still be talented. I like Mick Abel, the high school right-hander from Oregon, a lot. Great frame, good velocity, should grow into his build even more as he gets older.
6:17
At 31, there's a few. Carson Tucker (Cole's brother), would be fun for obvious reasons. Think they'll go with a college bat there, though. I really like Miami shortstop Freddy Zamora, but he's probably going to drop because he tore his ACL in the spring. Was really consistent his freshman and sophomore years, though. Also a big fan of Aaron Sabato, the first baseman out of UNC. Kid hits bombs.
Danny
6:18
What’s your gut telling you? Who are the Pirates gonna take at 7?
Mike Persak
6:20
My gut says that if everything goes the way it's supposed to in the first six picks, the Pirates will take Arkansas outfielder Heston Kjerstad. Power-hitting guy who'll likely be a right fielder in the majors. Think the Pirates could use some power in the minors, and that would be a good way to get it.
ArmorBat
6:21
Would the Pirates prefer an Arm or a Bat with their first pick?
Jason Mackey
6:21
OK, folks. I just filed a Manfred story. You get to deal with me, too. Apologies ahead of time.
Remember Roberto
6:21
Is this draft considered to be a strong one with the Pirates having picks 7 and 31?  Thanks.
Jason Mackey
6:22
For those two picks -- yes. There's a good chance, assuming they don't drastically bungle anything, that they get two future building blocks with those picks. I would expect one of them to be a catcher, too, which they obviously need.
Mike Persak
6:23
Not a good answer, ArmorBat, but I honestly don't know. My gut says they'd go with a bat, since Priester and Malone are already good, young pitchers in the system, but time will tell.
Riley
6:23
Hey fellas. Sad Tigers fan here. Any chance the Tigers don’t take Torkelson at 1? Assuming they do, what is his skill set?
Sarge
6:24
Is it reasonable to expect the Pirates to take a college player, since they could be part of the 50 player contingent that would be practicing together throughout the summer, rather than a high school player that would be over matched by the level of players, i.e. AAA and AA level players?
Jason Mackey
6:26
Hi Sarge. I think it's reasonable for them to take a college player for a few reasons. One, there are several very good ones where they're picking, especially position players. Two, there's probably a little more certainty, which they value in such a short draft. I suppose they could keep that guy with the 50, but there's only going to be 30 or so around the MLB club. I don't think it's imperative, and it might be a little too big of a step.
Mike Persak
6:28
Riley, I grew up in Michigan, watching the 2006-2014ish Tigers. At least you had the good years in the recent past, but I understand your frustration. Think Torkelson seems to be near a lock here. Have heard it said that it's at 98% that Detroit'll take him. The dude's a stud. He broke Barry Bonds' home run record his freshman year at Arizona State. Pretty good company, I'd say. Seems to be a sort of can't-miss guy.
Stephen
6:29
I would like your evaluation of pitcher Sean Keselica.  What would you say are his chances of making it to the majors?
Mike Persak
6:33
I hate to say never, but the odds don't seem very good for Keselica right now. He was part of the group of minor leaguers the Pirates cut today, so if he does make it, it's going to have to be elsewhere.
Jason Mackey
6:33
I wish I saw him in-person, Stephen. So I'm sorry I can't give you more detailed thoughts. But he has had success at various points. My guess would be someone is willing to give him a chance, assuming he wants to keep at it.
Donna
6:36
Hi gentlemen.  With the National League likely to adopt the designated hitter, has any prospects ranking increased-someone who may be a good hitter, but not the greatest glove wise?
Mike Persak
6:42
Love this question. I don't think by the actual rankings anybody has bumped up yet, but perhaps they will in time. I wonder if Oneil Cruz might be a fit for this. He's been pretty good in the field, and I know he's said he wants to stay there for the long-term, but with that 6-foot-7 frame, maybe the DH is a way for the Pirates to get his bat up to the big leagues if they think the fielding needs to develop some more.
Jason Mackey
6:47
Donna: Mike just spent an incredible amount of time on your question. I feel like you should know that. (We're watching the draft at my house.)
Carla
6:43
Is the 5 round draft a permanent thing or will mlb go back to 40 rounds starting next year?  Enjoy the draft!
Mike Persak
6:43
The Draft will be 20 rounds next year and then back to the 40-round setup after that
GSMP
6:43
If Emerson Hancock is available at devey, the Pirates have to take him, right?
Mike Persak
6:47
I'm pretty high on Hancock, personally. The timing of his injury last year hurt his draft position a little bit, it seems, since he wasn't able to get back out there much in the spring to show scouts his stuff. Also more of a stuff guy, with fastball, slider, changeup, versus a power guy like Max Meyer. But I think he's getting unfairly punished, to an extent, because of that injury. He's a stud. HIs numbers back that up, and he was pitching in the SEC. I don't think it's a "must draft," but I think he'd be a good addition if that's the way they want to go.
Deacon
6:58
Do the Bucs take Nick Gonzales if he’s there at #7?
GSMP
6:59
Could the players strike or do a walk out if MLB unilaterally institutes a 48 game season?
Mike Persak
7:01
Also a good question, and I'm not sure. Gonzales feels like the classic high-ceiling vs. high-floor debate. His fielding might cause him problems down the road, but if he tightens that up, I think he might end up being the best position player in the draft (maybe). If the Pirates want more security in their pick, they might go elsewhere.
Jason Mackey
7:01
They could, although from what I've heard, it's not terribly likely. I'm actually surprised by that, but a lot of what I heard is players will sort of begrudgingly show up ... but they will show up. They could screw around with the playoffs and try to make that a bargaining chip, but that's about it for leverage.
GSMP
7:09
Will the Pirates avoid a Scott Boras client or is that no longer an issue?
Jason Mackey
7:10
It's not an issue at all. Honestly, GSMP, Boras and Ben Cherington get along very well. I would recommend you reading this article I did not long ago. Sheds some light on that. Boras is still going to drive up prices. That's his job. But he  likes Cherington and Nutting (which surprises me). https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2020/04/29/josh-bell-contr...
7:12
There's also this story from the Winter Meetings: https://www.post-gazette.com/sports/pirates/2019/12/10/scott-boras-mlb...
Ricky
7:22
Jason would you agree the pirates should sign Yasiel Puig? He would be a great addition after looking at the free agent market. A Right handed bat to go along with the left handed polanco
Jason Mackey
7:23
Not only should they sign him, Ricky, they should try to draft him tonight, too.
GSMP
7:24
Surprised the O's passed on Austin Martin?
Mike Persak
7:27
Yes, but I said to Jason a little bit ago that the Orioles were gonna mess it all up by going under slot. Their GM, Mike Elias worked for the Astros as a scout and was credited with scouting and taking Carlos Correa in 2012. That was an under-slot pick. So maybe he's trying to hit on that sort of plan again.
Sarge
7:39
#2 and # 3 picks made most of the mock drafts look silly. Pirates might luck out and have one of the top 5 prospects fall to them
Mike Persak
7:40
Yeah, looks like they're going to have their choice of two of the three of Emerson Hancock, Zac Veen and Nick Gonzales. All really really good players.
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