The Pirates announced Monday that they have reached a deal with five players from the 2024 MLB draft class. Each of the first five picks to sign was selected on Day 2 of the draft. All five are college draft picks who will now report to the Florida Complex League. Below is more information on each of the five new members of the Pittsburgh Pirates organization:
Matt Ager, pitcher
Pick: 174 (Round 6)
School: UC Santa Barbara
Height/Weight: 6-6, 225 pounds
Bat/Throw: R/R
About: Rated the No. 135 prospect in this year’s draft by MLB Pipeline, Ager looks to have a future in the bullpen. He appeared in 63 games over three seasons at UC Santa Barbara (24 starts), going 10-8 with a 3.52 ERA. He struck out 216 batters in his 192 career innings pitched at the collegiate level. Ager’s highest-rated pitch is his slider, which grades slightly above average. His fastball and changeup are his next-best pitches. Ager’s greatest trait is his ability to pound the strike zone, something that matches well with the Pirates’ current pitching strategy.
Connor Wietgrefe, pitcher
Pick: 204 (Round 7)
School: Minnesota
Height/Weight: 6-2, 200 pounds
Bat/Throw: L/L
About: Wietgrefe comes to the Pirates after a successful transition from the bullpen to the starting rotation with Minnesota in 2024, when he went 8-4 with a 2.77 ERA. The left-hander originally started his collegiate career at North Iowa Area Community College and then transferred to Minnesota in 2023. He received first-team All-Big Ten honors this season.
Gavin Adams, pitcher
Pick: 234 (Round 8)
School: Florida State
Height/Weight: 6-3, 185 pounds
Bat/Throw: R/R
About: Adams is the hardest thrower the Pirates have drafted this year, boasting a fastball that can reach the triple digits. That live arm, however, comes with an injury history. Adams missed the 2024 season due to Tommy John surgery. He spent the two seasons prior at the junior college level, playing for State College of Florida in 2022 and Indian River State College in 2023. He was selected in the 11th round of last year’s draft by the Washington Nationals.
Duce Gourson, shortstop
Pick: 264 (Round 9)
School: UCLA
Height/Weight: 6-0, 200 pounds
Bat/Throw: L/R
About: Rated the No. 158 prospect in this year’s draft by MLB Pipeline, Gourson comes to the Pirates after batting .300 over three seasons at UCLA. Gourson’s primary position was second base, but he can also play shortstop. Some scouts believe he could also have a future at first base. Analysts have praised Gourson’s plate discipline (15% walk rate this season). Gourson boasts league-average hit, fielding and arm tools. His power will need development.
Derek Berg, catcher
Pick: 294 (Round 10)
School: Army
Height/Weight: 6-3, 200 pounds
Bat/Throw: R/R
About: Paul Skenes is no longer the only military man in the Pirates system. The Pirates bring in Berg, a four-year starter at West Point. Berg hit a career .298 in 182 games. He ended his collegiate career reaching base in 28 straight games. In addition to catcher, he can also play first and second base. His efforts in the field led him to be named the 2024 Patriot League preseason Defensive Player of the Year.
Noah Hiles: nhiles@post-gazette.com and @_NoahHiles on X
First Published: July 22, 2024, 9:56 p.m.
Updated: July 23, 2024, 2:00 a.m.
