All that talk about Matt Wieters and Josh Vitters…unheard. Did we really believe that the Buccos would look anywhere else besides the pitching prospects? The Pirates decided to try to ruin another pitcher, and selected Clemson lefty Daniel Moskos. Here’s the line that gets me.
He was ranked by Baseball America as the fifth-best pitcher available in the draft.
A lot of people (Joe Starkey) had high hopes for the 4th pick, but the Buccos, who don’t know basic math, used the 4th pick on the 5th best pitcher. I. Am. So. Confused.
Vitters went 3rd to the Cubbies, while Wieters sandwiched the Bucs, and went at number 5 to the Orioles.
Here’s Pittsburgh’s recent first rounders. Remember, the Buccos have been terrible (aka under .500) each year, so I’ve included the position and overall selection of each pitcher player.
Daniel Moskos P. 4th.
Brad Lincoln P. 4th.
Andrew McCutchen OF. 11th.
Neil Walker C. 11th.
Paul Maholm P. 8th.
Bryan Bullington P. 1st.
John Van Benschoten P. 8th.
Sean Burnett P. 19th.
Bobby Bradley P. 8th.
Clint Johnston 1B. 15th.
J.J. Davis 1B-P. 8th.
Kris Benson P. 1st.
Including J.J. Davis, the Pirates made Moskos the the 9th pitcher taken in the last 12 first rounds. Maholm is the only one currently (barely) on the active roster. Bullington and Van Benschoten are waiting to be called up, but Jim Tracy is sticking with Zach Duke and Maholm for some reason.
The Pirates are hoping that Moskos turns out to be a potential closer, instead of a wishing that Moskos becomes a starter. That was the mistake made with each and every other pitcher outlined above, so maybe the Pirates are turning the page and going in a different direction. Even if that direction is remarkably similar to 9 of the previous 12.
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