The Pittsburgh Pirates today signed the following players from the 2022 First-Year Player Draft. The announcement was made by Joe DelliCarri, Pirates Senior Director of Amateur Scouting.
Round Name Position Height/Weight School Affiliate Assignment
4 Michael Kennedy LHP 6-1/205 Troy High School Florida Complex League
Was named the 2022 New York Gatorade Baseball Player-of-the-Year (posted a 6-0 record with a 0.60 ERA and 65 strikeouts in 35.0 innings while surrendering just 15 hits and eight walks during the season)…Recorded a 13-strikeout no-hitter against Albany Academy in what would be his final high school start on May 20…Was ranked No. 89 on the Top 250 draft prospects list by MLB Pipeline…Was a member of the USA Baseball 18U National Team and was named a Rawlings/Perfect Game preseason second-team All-American…Went 13-0 over the course of his junior and senior seasons at Troy High School…Took home Times Union large school Athlete-of-the-Year honors in both 2021 and 2022…Was signed by Pirates scout Eddie Charles.
Round Name Position Height/Weight School Affiliate Assignment
13 Miguel Fulgencio LHP 6-1/205 Cowley County CC Florida Complex League
Went 6-0 with five saves, a 1.83 ERA (44.1ip/9er), 57 strikeouts and just two home runs allowed in 25 games in 2022 with Cowley County Community College…Went 7-1 with one save, a 2.73 ERA (33.0ip/10er) and 46 strikeouts in 20 games in 2021 with Cowley County…Started his collegiate career as a member of the Oklahoma State University football team before transferring to Cowley County…Was signed by Pirates scout Matt Bimeal.
Round Name Position Height/Weight School Affiliate Assignment
Non-drafted Ryan Velazquez RHP 6-4/225 University of Washington Florida Complex League
Went 3-1 with four saves, a 4.39 ERA (41.0ip/20er) and 39 strikeouts in 27 appearances in 2022 for the University of Washington…Played for the West Virginia Black Bears in the MLB Draft League in 2022 after playing for Williamsport in the same league last year…Went 1-1 with a 2.70 ERA (10.0ip/3er) and 18 strikeouts for West Virginia in this year’s MLB Draft League…Was signed by Pirates scout Brett Evert.
The Pirates have now signed 16 of their 21 selections from this year’s draft, which includes 11 of their first 12 picks.
