Best Pure Hitter: Fresno State 3B Murf Gray (2S) was the first hitter the Pirates drafted this year. He has impressive natural hitting traits and lots of strength with a 6-foot-4, 230-pound frame. He’s a career .306/.368/.551 hitter in three seasons with Fresno State and makes a ton of contact, though that also comes with lots of swings on balls out of the zone.  

Best Power Hitter: LSU 1B Jared Jones (9) has displayed massive power dating back to his underclass days as a high schooler. He was one of the most prolific home run hitters in the country as the main presence in the middle of LSU’s lineup and hit 64 home runs across three seasons. He finished his career as the No. 3 home run hitter in LSU history, trailing only Brad Cresse (78) and Eddy Furniss (80).

Fastest Runner: Hofstra 2B Dylan Palmer (11) is an above-average runner who was a consistent menace on the bases throughout his college career. He stole at least 20 bases in all three seasons he played and finished his career with 82 stolen bases in 98 attempts—an 84% success rate. 

Best Defensive Player: Georgia Southern OF Josh Tate (8) led the team in most offensive categories, but the Pirates are excited about his defensive potential as much as his bat. He has played all three outfield positions as well as second base and third base in college, and he earned innings in left, center and right in his pro debut with Low-A Bradenton. 

Best Fastball: RHP Seth Hernandez (1) was the top-ranked pitcher in the class and has a near double-plus fastball that is consistently in the mid 90s and has already touched 100 mph in a number of different outings. It’s a pitch that has tons of power, and Hernandez pitches off it with more polish than is typical of a high school pitcher. Some analysts have critiqued the fastball shape, but the power/command combo should be enough to make it effective in pro ball no matter the shape. 

Best Secondary Pitch: Hernandez (1) also has the best changeup in the 2026 class. It’s a consistent 70-grade offering that stacks up with Georgia prep righthander Dylan Lesko as one of the best amateur changeups scouts have seen. The pitch has significant velocity separation from his fastball in the low 80s, and he has the ability to generate tons of tumbling life or shorten the pitch up and land it in the zone for strikes. 

Best Pro Debut: Palmer (11) played just three games with Low-A Bradenton but went 4-for-10 (.400) in that stretch with three walks and a strikeout. Righthander Cameron Keshock (12) pitched seven games as a reliever with Bradenton. He posted a 1.86 ERA, struck out 11 batters and walked three.

Best Athlete: The Pirates are high on the athleticism that Palmer (11) provides, but it’s hard not to mention Hernandez (1) here, as well. He would have been a legitimate draft prospect as a shortstop and righthanded hitter with aptitude on both sides of the ball and impressive bat speed and power at the plate. 

Most Intriguing Background: Outfielder Carter Gwost (17) was an under-the-radar prepster who comes from an athletic family and had two-way potential that could have shown itself if he reached campus at Nebraska. He signed for just under $500,000 as a hitter. His father played college baseball, as did both of his older brothers.

Closest To The Majors: Many of Pittsburgh’s early picks come from demographics that typically take a fair share of minor league seasoning. Hernandez (1) is a high school righthander and college catchers Easton Carmichael (3) and Adonys Guzman (5) will need to do plenty of work on both sides of the ball. Puerto Rican SS Gustavo Melendez (4) is extremely young and will need more polish and physicality. That makes Gray (2S) one of the best choices to be the quickest mover in this group. He has present physicality, three years of college performance and plays a less demanding defensive position—which could become even less demanding if he moves to first base. 

Best 11+ Round Pick (Or UDFA): Palmer (11) has been all over Pittsburgh’s draft report card, which makes him the obvious choice, though Gwost (17) and RHP McLane Moody (15) are the team’s biggest financial investments after the 10th round.