If they continue going after young pitching, and figure out a way to teach the strike zone, they can rise above the ranks of the mediocre. The Pirates went after pitching in the 2000 draft, and were willing to put out big bucks to do it. His fastball is a tick above average, but his breaking stuff and changeup are very good, and he knows what he is doing. Second-rounder David Beigh, a high school pitcher from Indiana, can hit 95 mph but is less refined than Burnett. If all goes well, the Pirates drafted the core of their future pitching staff in 2000.
Trouble is, high school pitching is notoriously unreliable.
It will take at least a couple of years before we know how good this draft class becomes. 95-mph fastball, excellent curve, and great control make him a top prospect if healthy. Superb bat speed and adequate strike zone judgment make him offensive force. Still a risk he will play college football, however. Hard-nosed type, with very good glove and decent hitting potential.