The Pirates have held a Top 10 pick in each of the past seven drafts, including the upcoming 2026 edition. In that time, Pittsburgh has established a trend, selecting either a shortstop or a right-handed pitcher. According to Jim Callis’s most recent mock draft, the Bucs don’t seem likely to break that pattern any time soon.
Callis recently connected the Pirates, who will be selecting at No. 3, to Alabama shortstop Justin Lebron. Lebron ranked in the top 10 among SEC players in stolen bases, home runs, and doubles in 2025. He was one of the more notable players in the conference behind Pirates ninth-round pick in 2024 Jared Jones.