How Not To Build a Team: Looking at The Pittsburgh Pirates' Drafts

For the past 17 years, the Pirates have been a franchise mired in futility. Ownership unwilling to spend the money necessary to build a competitive team and boneheaded trades are a big reason this has gone on for so long. One factor that has been overlooked though is the Pirates' first round draft selections. One would assume that constant access to low picks would lead to some eventual success. Not so. Here is a list of who the Pirates chose first from 1999-2009, what became of that player, and who they could have taken instead.

1999: With the 8th pick in the draft, the Pirates selected pitcher Bobby Bradley. He performed relatively well in the minor league system, going 8-2 with a 2.29 ERA in his first season with the Hickory Crawdads. For the rest of his career, he was plagued by injuries and was released in 2005. Players selected after Bobby Bradley in the first round: Barry Zito, Ben Sheets, and Alex Rios.

2000: With the 19th pick in the draft, the Pirates selected pitcher Sean Burnett. By 2004, he made the major league roster, but then had Tommy John surgery and spent 2006 and 2007 in AAA. In 2009, he was traded along with Nyjer Morgan to the Washington Nationals. There were no future all-stars selected after Burnett in this draft, so this pick doesn't look so bad in hindsight.

2001: With the 8th pick in the draft, the Pirates selected John Van Benschoten as a pitcher although in college he was an elite hitter. In three stints with the Pirates, his career statistics were a 2-13 record with an ERA of 9.20. He was released by the Pirates in 2008. Notable players selected after Van Benschoten: Casey Kotchman, Jeremy Bonderman, and Noah Lowry.

2002: With the 1st pick in the draft, the Pirates selected pitcher Bryan Bullington. He never stood out in the minor leagues and never made it to Pittsburgh. Drafted after him: BJ Upton, Zach Greinke, Prince Fielder, Joe Saunders, Scott Kazmir, Cole Hamels, James Loney, Denard Span, and Matt Cain. Can you say bust?

2003: With the 8th pick in the draft, the Pirates selected pitcher Paul Maholm. Maholm is currently in the Pirates' starting rotation and has pitched well for them. Aaron Hill, Chad Cordero, Chad Billingsley, and Carlos Quentin were selected after Maholm. This was a good pick that has worked out.

2004: With the 11th pick in the draft, the Pirates selected C Neil Walker. The team later converted him to 3B. He was born in Pittsburgh, and made his first major league appearance in the 2009 season. He is currently in AAA. Selected after him that year: Jered weaver and Stephen Drew.

2005: With the 11th pick in the draft, the Pirates selected OF Andrew McCutchen. Need I say more? Some other notable major leaguers drafted after him: Jay Bruce, Jacoby Ellsbury, and Colby Rasmus. From what we have seen him do on the field so far it's safe to say this was a great pick.

2006: With the 4th pick in the draft, the Pirates selected pitcher Brad Lincoln. He is considered a top prospect in the Pirates' system and is on the AAA team as of now. He is expected to join the Pirates this season. Selected after Lincoln that year: Clayton Kershaw, Tim Lincecum, Max Scherzer, and Kyle Drabek. Would have been nice to have a 2-time Cy Young award winner wouldn't it?

2007: With the 4th pick in the draft, the Pirates selected pitcher Daniel Moskos. He is currently in A and struggling. This was widely seen as a "signability pick" Matt Wieters and Jason Heyward were selected after Moskos and are already proving themselves on the major league level.

2008: With the 2nd pick in the draft, the Pirates selected 3B Pedro Alvarez. He has performed very well in the minor leagues and is expected in Pittsburgh by May or June. Brian Matusz and Buster Posey are the only players of note selected after him. A bit early to tell, but so far so good.

2009: With the 4th pick in the draft, the Pirates selected C Tony Sanchez. He is on the Pirates' high-A team. He had a good season last year, let's hope that trend continues.

The bottom line is that many stars were passed on by the Pirates. While drafting in baseball is a very inexact science, two good players and one hopeful future star in ten first rounds is not a good sign. The problems apparently extended past the first rounds too, because the Pirates' minor league system was one of the worst in baseball when current GM Neal Huntington took over. The current management team says they have a plan, but so have other management teams in the past. If the Pirates have any hope of becoming competitive again, their drafting and scouting must improve.