2017 Acquisitions: Calvin Mitchell and Conner Uselton, OF
Birthday (age on opening day 2018): Mitchell: 3/8/1999 (19), Uselton: 5/20/1998 (19)
2017 teams/levels played for: Mitchell: Gulf Coast League Pirates, Uselton: Gulf Coast League Pirates
2017 Stats: Mitchell: .245/.351/.352, 185 PA, 2 HR, 2 SB, 24/35 BB/K; Uselton: .429/.429/.571, 7 PA, 0/1 BB/K
Info: The Pittsburgh Pirate grabbed two great high school outfielders in the 2nd round of the 2017 draft, so it was hard to pick just one of them.
Mitchell was the 50th overall pick, going in the 2nd round to the Pirates after he was an elite talent coming into his senior year before having a rough final high school season. He finished on a tear, just like he did with his time in the GCL.
Mitchell has plus raw power and a quick bat that should be able allow him to hit for power and average. He does have below-average speed, which will keep him in a corner, but he has enough arm to handle a corner outfield spot long-term. He should open 2018 at low-A.
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With the 72nd overall pick, the Pittsburgh Pirates selected Oklahoma high school product Uselton, who was an impressive pitcher and outfielder in high school.
Uselton ended up with an injury after his second game at the GCL and missed the rest of the season, but Pirates officials were still very excited with what they saw from him once he was in camp.
Uselton has a swing that has a lot of movement going on, but he has been able to have success to this point, though he’ll likely struggle with his first long-term exposure with pro breaking stuff and top-end velocity.
Defensively, Uselton has an impressive arm in the outfield, and he could work in center field right away with above-average speed. While he’s more raw than Mitchell on the field, he has more ceiling as well. He’ll likely open 2018 in extended spring and probably the New York-Penn League.
Next: CTTP's Top 150 prospects
So that is the Pittsburgh Pirates top 10 prospects for 2018. Who is too high? Too low? Missing entirely from the list? Comment below!!