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Sep 16, 2025; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; A hat and glove belonging to Pittsburgh Pirates third baseman Jared Triolo (not pictured) on the field against the Chicago Cubs during the sixth inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images
While the Pittsburgh Pirates are battling to get above .500, the front office is paying close attention to the draft class. With the college and the majority of high school seasons over, we are getting closer and closer to the draft.
For those out of the loop, the draft takes place on July 11 and 12, which will take place during All-Star week.
Last year, the Pirates were awarded the No. 6 pick, where they took California prep arm Seth Hernandez. This year, they were given a little better of a pick, drafting in the five-spot.
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MLB analyst links a top prep talent to the Pirates at pick No. 5
The Pirates have gone the last two drafts, taking prep players with their first-round selection. They're not afraid to take the younger and more inexperienced players, and that could be the case this year as well.
Bleacher Report's Joel Reuter predicts they will draft Florida prep shortstop Jacob Lombard with pick No. 5.
"Lombard might have the highest ceiling of anyone from the 2026 prep class, albeit with less overall polish than Grady Emerson. His 55-hit, 60-power, 65-speed toolbox tells the story, and he shares some similarities with Konnor Griffin in that all the pieces are there for him to be a star with just some minor tinkering to his swing and approach."
Lombard is the younger brother of New York Yankees top prospect George Lombard Jr, but has made his own name for himself the last few years.
He has a ton of juice in his bat, which is great for someone who plays a premium position like shortstop, the position he expected to remain at after he becomes a pro.
On top of his bat, he's also a threat on the basepaths, and could be an excellent fit for the Pirates.
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