Pirates have big No. 1 pick decision to make while recent top pick shines

If the Pittsburgh Pirates are going to build themselves into a contender in the near future, it is going to have to be a couple of No. 1 overall picks who help them get there.

They are already getting a return on one such investment, and now they have a huge decision to make with another No. 1 pick in the coming weeks. 

The Pirates were the winners of the 2023 MLB Draft Lottery and won the right to select first overall in the July draft. All of the focus for that pick has centered around LSU teammates Dylan Crews (outfielder) and Paul Skenes (starting pitcher). 

They are the consensus top prospects in the class, and both of them would be a worthy top choice. Which direction will the Pirates choose to go with that pick? 

There are pros and cons to both. Crews has the benefit of being an everyday player who could have a more significant impact on the roster long term, while not carrying as much injury risk as a pitcher. Then again, there have been some rumblings — perhaps agent-generated — that he may not be completely interested in signing with the team. 

Would he really turn down $8 million or $9 million if the Pirates offered it?

If that does end up scaring the Pirates away, Skenes could also be an option. The Pirates farm system lacks a potential ace starting pitcher, and there are not many other avenues for a small-market team like the Pirates to land one outside of a top draft pick. Skenes fits that profile and is coming off of a 2023 season that saw him set an SEC strikeout record. 

The concern with Skenes, though, is that pitchers carry an enormous injury risk, and Skenes has already logged a lot of innings on his arm throughout his college career. That might not be a risk worth taking for the Pirates when a potential impact player like Crews is sitting right there. 

While the Pirates contemplate that decision, their most recent No. 1 overall pick — Henry Davis — is really starting to make his presence felt in the team's lineup. 

He went 3-for-4 in a come-from-behind win on Thursday afternoon that raised his average to .351 through his first 10 games to go along with a .901 OPS. The Pirates selected Davis as a catcher with the top pick in the 2021 draft and rapidly moved him through the system. He has been playing right field in the majors, but the important thing for them right now is getting his bat in the lineup. 

With Davis, Oneil Cruz, Bryan Reynolds and the potential that will come with next month's top pick, the Pirates might finally have some impact players to build around.