The Pittsburgh Pirates began their draft by selecting prep shortstop Konnor Griffin from Jackson Prep in Flowood, Mississippi. Griffin, rated as the top high school player in this year’s draft by MLB Pipeline, was the first prep player to be announced by commissioner Rob Manfred as the Pirates’ pick.
In the second round, the Pirates chose another high school shortstop, Wyatt Sanford from Frisco, Texas, with pick No. 57. Known for his strong defensive skills, Sanford was also highly regarded, ranking No. 35 according to Pipeline. Despite using two of their first three picks on prep shortstops, the Pirates have another potential sleeper in their draft.
With their second pick on day two, the Pirates selected Eddie Rynders in the fourth round. Rynders, a graduate of Wisconsin Lutheran High School, was barely on Pipeline’s top 250 draft prospects list and was overshadowed by the other two prep shortstops drafted ahead of him.
Pirates amateur scouting director Justin Horowitz explained that the team had been eyeing Rynders for some time. “A left-handed hitter, projectable left-handed hitter with a physical frame. He’s going to add some strength. He’s got some sneaky power and a good swing. On the dirt, he moves well, has good hands, and arm strength. He can stick on the left side. He was a riser for us throughout the spring, someone who continued to perform and make a name for himself as we got closer to the draft.”
Despite his youth, Rynders has already shown a solid frame and potential power, with room to develop further as a professional hitter. While there are some concerns about his hitting ability, his highlights suggest he has the potential to be a productive player with a smooth left-handed swing and impressive bat speed.