Last week we took a look at the draft picks of the 2019 Pittsburgh Pirates to see how they were doing in the early stages of the minor league season. Today we go back to the 2018 draft class. This one is a little bit smaller than the 2019 class, which had 38 players signed, a very large number during the days of 40-round drafts. The 2018 draft class had 33 draft picks signed and many of them are no longer around. Here’s an update on all of them sorted by their draft order, from first round pick Travis Swaggerty down to 40th round pick Jake Mielock.
Travis Swaggerty, Indianapolis – He got off to a strong start in Triple-A, then quickly fell off before a shoulder injury and subsequent surgery ended his season after just 12 games.
Braxton Ashcraft, Greensboro – A high school pitcher, he’s currently in High-A, where he has a 3.54 ERA in 20.1 innings, with 21 strikeouts and an 0.98 WHIP.
Connor Kaiser, Indianapolis – He started all the way up at Indianapolis, played five early season games, then hasn’t played since.
Aaron Shortridge – Out with Tommy John surgery, was slated for Altoona.
Grant Koch, Greensboro – He’s hitting .220 with a .613 OPS in High-A
Michael Flynn – Released this year
Brett Kinneman – Released last year
Zach Spears – Released this year
Logan Stoelke – Retired last year
Michael Gretler – Retired last year
Michael Burrows, Greensboro – High school pitcher signed over-slot, he has a 2.12 ERA in 29.2 innings, with 43 strikeouts and an 0.84 WHIP.
Zac Susi – Released this year
Zack Kone – Released this year
Daniel Amaral, Altoona – Speedy outfielder, he’s hitting .236 with a .732 OPS in 23 games for Altoona. Only two steals in four attempts
Jonah Davis, Altoona – Another Altoona outfielder, he’s hitting .167 with 54 strikeouts in 113 plate appearances. Upside is that he has 12 extra-base hits, but only four singles to go along with that.
Colin Selby, Greensboro – Seeing limited work as he returns from Tommy John surgery 15 months ago. He has a 7.27 ERA in 17.1 innings over ten games.
Brad Case, Altoona – Pitching in long relief for Altoona, he has a 5.14 ERA in 21 innings, with 19 strikeouts and a 1.48 WHIP. He gave up six runs in his first three innings and six runs since.
Michael LoPresti – Released after the 2019 season
Will Kobos, Greensboro – He has a 1.71 ERA in 21 innings, with 26 strikeouts and a 1.00 WHIP. He has allowed just seven hits, but he’s walked 14 batters
Conner Loeprich – He was traded to the Baltimore Orioles for international bonus pool space in November and hasn’t pitched this year due to injury.
Will Gardner, Altoona – He’s having a rough start to his Double-A time with an 8.64 ERA in 16.2 innings, with a 1.86 WHIP and a 23:14 SO/BB ratio.
Cam Alldred, Altoona – He has a 2.18 ERA in 20.2 innings, with 20 strikeouts and an 0.97 WHIP.
Luke Mangieri – Released last year
Ryan Haug – Released last year
Nick Patten – Released after the 2019 season
Jack Herman – Started off 2021 very slow, then was sent to Pirate City for Extended Spring Training. He hit .115/.148/.173 in 15 games with Greensboro
Chase Lambert – Released after the 2019 season
Dean Lockery – Released in 2020
Joe Jacques, Indianapolis – 33rd round draft pick, he has a 2.76 ERA in 16.1 innings over 11 outings, with 19 strikeouts and a 1.35 WHIP.
Justin Harrer – Retired this year
Brendt Citta, Altoona – He skipped from short-season ball in 2019 to Altoona this year and he’s hitting .312/.366/.462 in 28 games.
Cody Smith – Retired this year
Jake Mielock – Released early in 2019
