The Pirates have made major strides toward relevance in 2023, but there is still one more prize for Pittsburgh to claim from its long rebuild.
The No. 1 overall pick in a highly anticipated MLB Draft belongs to the Pirates thanks to some lottery luck, and what a year it is to get that selection with a multitude of strong options on the board.
MORE: Why the Pirates drafted Paul Skenes at 1-1 over LSU teammate Dylan Crews
It will be tough for Pittsburgh to get it wrong. LSU outfielder Dylan Crews was the season-long favorite to go first overall, but his reported contract demands, plus the emergence of Crews' teammate Paul Skenes, have made the top pick less than certain.
Skenes might be the most talented player on the board, but could the Pirates try to save money by snagging Florida's Wyatt Langford or a high school hitter? It wouldn't be the first time GM Ben Cherington got creative at the top of the draft. If Pittsburgh does go the money-saving route, the team's next few picks could be equally as interesting.
MLB DRAFT: Top 100 big board | SN's mock draft
The Pirates will be making 21 total picks in the 2023 MLB Draft. Here's a look at when Pittsburgh will be picking and who Cherington could target early in the draft.
Pirates draft picks 2023: When does Pittsburgh pick?
- Round 1, Pick 1: Paul Skenes, SP, LSU
- Round 2, Pick 42: Mitch Jebb, SS, Michigan State
- CB Round B, Pick 67: Zander Mueth, P, Belleville East HS (IL)
- Round 3, Pick 73:
- Round 4: Pick 104:
- Round 5: Pick 140:
- Round 6, Pick 167:
- Round 7, Pick 197:
- Round 8, Pick 227:
- Round 9, Pick 257:
- Round 10, Pick 287:
- Round 11, Pick 317:
- Round 12, Pick 347:
- Round 13, Pick 377:
- Round 14, Pick 407:
- Round 15, Pick 437:
- Round 16, Pick 467:
- Round 17, Pick 497:
- Round 18, Pick 527:
- Round 19, Pick 557:
- Round 20, Pick 587:
Pirates MLB Draft order 2023
| Round | Overall pick |
| 1 | 1 |
| 2 | 42 |
| Competitive Balance Round B | 67 |
| 3 | 73 |
| 4 | 104 |
| 5 | 140 |
| 6 | 167 |
| 7 | 197 |
| 8 | 227 |
| 9 | 257 |
| 10 | 287 |
| 11 | 317 |
| 12 | 347 |
| 13 | 377 |
| 14 | 407 |
| 15 | 437 |
| 16 | 467 |
| 17 | 497 |
| 18 | 527 |
| 19 | 557 |
| 20 | 597 |
Pirates mock draft 2023
Here are the current projections for the Pirates' first four picks, according to the three-round mock draft from SN's Edward Sutelan.
Sutelan has the Pirates spurning Dylan Crews and other premier prospects to take LSU ace Paul Skenes with the first overall pick before choosing position players with their following three picks.
| Round | Overall pick | Player | Position | School |
| 1 | 1 | Paul Skenes | P | LSU |
| 2 | 42 | Kevin McGonigle | SS | Monsignor Bonner H.S. |
| CB B | 67 | Maui Ahuna | SS | Tennessee |
| 3 | 73 | Ryan Lasko | OF | Rutgers |
Pirates' Top 5 prospects
Here are the Pirates' top five prospects, according to MLB Pipeline:
| Rank | Name | Position |
| 1 | Termarr Johnson | 2B |
| 2 | Henry Davis | C |
| 3 | Endy Rodriguez | C |
| 4 | Quinn Priester | P |
| 5 | Anthony Solometo | P |