ESPN REPORT: First baseman is the Pirates’ top pick in the upcoming MLB Draft

Carlos Santana and Ji-man Choi both left the Pittsburgh Pirates last season, leaving the team without a natural first baseman. Despite having an above average year considering his age, Santana was moved to the division rival Milwaukee Brewers, and while Choi was by no means an asset, at least he played first base. The Pirates, who are now without a long-term solution at first base, plan to select a top first base prospect in the next draft.

Nick Kurtz of Wake Forest will go first overall for the Cleveland Guardians in the first round mock draft, according to early disclosures of these mock drafts. Although Kurtz is an average athleticism and one of the most skilled hitters in this draft class, he seems more than capable of playing first base at the next level. Another elite prospect, Charlie Condon of the University of Georgia, is predicted to go third to the Rockies. With the fourth pick in the draft, Oakland has the potential to select the best two-way player because Jac Caglianone can play first base and pitch.

Pittsburgh doesn’t select until eighth, so even if they move up a few spots before draft day, the Pirates won’t be able to acquire those three prospects, which raises some doubts about who else they could choose. Some mock drafts by the MLB have the team selecting Kurtz at number nine, while others have them not even selecting a first baseman.

Ethan Anderson of the University of Virginia has to stand out as a high hitting prospect who is probably going to shoulder a big portion of that team’s burden in 2024 if the Pirates do not get their wish to select a first baseman early. With a prospect rating of 44, Anderson is the next-highest first baseman and a decent drop from the top heavy group of prospects.

Three more college first basemen complete the top 100 rankings behind Anderson. The Pirates may decide to pass on one of the top-ranked prospects in the first round and instead target one of the prospects at the second or third round because James Tibbs (Florida State), Cole Mathis (College of Charleston), and Derek Bender (Coastal Carolina) are not nearly as pro-ready as some of the others.