Get to know the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 2017 first round selection: RHP Shane Baz

The Pittsburgh Pirates have selected an interesting right-hander with the 12th overall pick in the 2017 MLB entry draft

The Pittsburgh Pirates have selected RHP Shane Baz out of Concordia Lutheran (Texas) high school. In using the 12th overall pick on the young hurler, the Pirates are hoping that his advance pitch mix — especially for a high school arm — can be groomed into something real and spectacular.

From MLB.com’s scouting report:

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”MLB.com’s Jim Callis” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]Baz might have the deepest repertoire in the Draft: He has a mid-90s fastball along with a cut fastball that can be unhittable. The cutter can turn it into a true slider and he can also spin a distinctly different curve, not to mention the makings of the changeup. He is another intriguing two-way player as a power-hitting third baseman, though he’s definitely a pitcher as a pro.[/perfectpullquote]

Here is a look at some of those weapons:

[mlbvideo id=”1214590883″ width=”400″ height=”224″ /]

There are some signability concerns to be had with Baz, as the boys over at…Bless you Boys noted in a recent interview.

[perfectpullquote align=”full” cite=”” link=”” color=”” class=”” size=””]At TCU, I’m going to get to play two ways, and I’m really excited about that. School is what I’m looking to do right now. I can’t wait to get out there to Fort Worth and just be a part of that program. [If I were taken in the first round, signing] would definitely be something to talk about with my family. It would probably matter a little bit what team, but that would be something to talk about with my family. If I was blessed enough to be that high of a pick, I’d have to consider it for sure.[/perfectpullquote]

Should Baz still carry this sentiment about going to college, the Pittsburgh Pirates may have a tough road ahead to signing the young arm. One also wonders if the current stature of Pirates’ high school arms in MLB — Tyler Glasnow just got demoted while Jameson Taillon is in the midst of a spectacular return start against the Rockies — will cancel each other out, giving Baz further pause.

For complete draft results, head on over to the MLB.com draft site.