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The Pittsburgh Pirates have come out with their right foot forward this season. Going into Wednesday's matchups, they hold third place firmly in the National League Central with their 34-33 record.
However, this is a tough division this season as everyone has come out to play. The Cincinnati Reds are the worst team in the division, and they are only two games under .500.
So, the club will have to keep its foot on the gas pedal if they want to make the postseason for the first time since the 2015 season.
MORE: Oneil Cruz is Pirates' big trade deadline question
Latest draft predictions send UC Santa Barbara ace to the Pirates
While the fans are locked in to what the team is doing right now, it's never a bad idea to think about the future. And with the Pirates holding the No. 5 pick in this year's draft, another game-changer could be headed to the organization.
There are some rumors that the top four picks could be a total shake-up, with Roch Cholowsky not going No. 1 to the Chicago White Sox. This could set up a snowball effect where UC Santa Barbara pitcher Jackson Flora lands with the Pirates, per The Athletic's Keith Law.
"This pick is based solely on the scenario that has unfolded above. I imagine this would be an absolute dream for the Pirates, picking fifth and getting the best pitcher on the board."
Flora is a 6-foot-5 righty that can touch the triple digits. His combination of height and arm strength has scouts salivating.
He has two different sliders that work well off his fastball and a kick change that tends to fall off the table with a good command of the strike zone, which has helped separate him from other arms on the board.
Pair him with Paul Skenes in a few years, and this could be an absolute nightmare for opposing batters.
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