Pirates grab Delaware ace in ninth round

Chad Kuhl performed at the collegiate level, so it's just a matter of whether or not his skills translate to professional ball.

The Pirates selected Kuhl, a University of Delaware right-hander, in Round 9 of the First-Year Player Draft on Friday.

Kuhl went 10-2 with a 3.75 ERA for the Blue Hens this season, striking out 76 while walking 31 in 105 2/3 innings -- a team-high. He became the first Delaware pitcher in more than a decade to win 10 games in a season. Kuhl was the team's No. 1 CAA starter.

The Bear, Del., native went 5-5 with a 4.42 ERA as a sophomore in 2012, and 1-4 with a 6.39 ERA as a freshman.

Kuhl earned first-team All-State honors in Delaware as a high school senior both on the mound and as a first baseman.