Pirates' first-round draft pick could come down to these two players

Pirates' first-round draft pick could come down to these two players originally appeared on The Sporting News . Add The Sporting News as a Preferred Source by clicking here . Over the last three years, the Pittsburgh Pirates have found themselves drafting within the top 10 in the first round of the draft, and that won't change this year.

They were awarded the fifth overall pick later this summer. Last year, they had the sixth overall pick and went with prep arm Seth Hernandez, while they went with Konnor Griffin, another prep player in 2024, and of course, LSU's Paul Skenes in 2023. So, it's safe to say that they have had a good track record of picking early in the first round and will look to be doing the same thing when July comes along.

MORE: Pirates' two glaring MLB trade deadline needs brought to light by ex-GM Pirates' first-round draft pick could come down to these two players There will be plenty of talent for the Pirates to choose from when their name is on the clock. It's just about finding someone who can fit into the system and someone whom the organization believes in. This is where it gets tricky.

There are a few names that have been linked to Pittsburgh throughout the mocks, and it will be on the front office to decide which is the best option. According to Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter , he believes the decision will come down to either prep bat Eric Booth Jr. or UC Santa Barbara pitcher Jacklson Flora, with a strong lean to drafting the latter.