The Pittsburgh Pirates today signed the following players from the 2016 First-Year Player Draft. The announcement was made by Joe DelliCarri, Pirates Director of Amateur Scouting.
Round | Name | Position | Height/Weight | School | Affiliate Assignment
21, Matt Eckelman, RHP, 6-4/240, St. Louis University, Bristol Pirates
Led St. Louis University in nearly all major pitching categories during his senior season in 2016 while earning second-team All-Atlantic 10 honors... Went 9-4 with a team-best 3.12 ERA (101.0ip/35er) and 81 strikeouts in 15 starts in 2016… Earned first-team All-Conference in 2014 season while serving as St. Louis University's closer...Finished the 2013 season with a 1.64 ERA, 42 strikeouts and a 6-1 record, the third-most wins by a freshman in Saint Louis history.
26, Robbie Coursel, RHP, 6-2/195, Florida Atlantic University, Bristol Pirates
Made 18 appearances (one start) in 2016 while compiling a 5-3 record, 2.73 ERA (33.0ip/10er) and 30 strikeouts for Florida Atlantic University... Was one of four players drafted out of Florida Atlantic University this past season.
35, Pasquale Mazzoccoli, RHP, 6-5/200, Texas State University, Bristol Pirates
Recorded a Texas State University single-season record 13 saves in 2016 while going 0-4 with a 4.43 ERA (40.2ip/20er) and 48 strikeouts in 28 relief appearances… Was one of five players selected in the 2016 draft from Texas State University, tied for the most ever in school history.
The Pirates have now signed 26 players from this year's draft.