The Pirates extended their run on pitchers in the 2020 MLB Draft, selecting Jack Hartman, right-handed pitcher, out of Appalachian State University in Round 4 (No. 108 overall).
After the Pirates took power-hitting infielder Nick Gonzales at No. 7 overall to begin their first draft under Ben Cherington and company, the team turned to the mound, taking right-handers Carmen Mlodzinski (No. 31 overall), Jared Jones (No. 44 overall) and Nick Garcia (No. 79 overall) with consecutive picks.
With Hartman, 21, the Pirates continue that trend, adding another righty into their system.
A true senior, Hartman (6-foot-3, 210 pounds) is a candidate to sign underslot, potentially giving the Pirates the flexibility they need to lock down their other picks.
In 2020, Hartman made 10 relief appearances, registering 22 strikeouts in 12 innings while also tying for first in the Sun Belt Conference with four saves.
Hartman played in 2017 at Tallahassee Community College before pitching at the College of Central Florida in 2018. Then, he transferred again, this time to Appalachian State, where he stuck for the final two years of his collegiate career. In 2019, Hartman tossed 20 games, posting a 4.98 ERA with 26 strikeouts in 21.2 innings.
Clearly, he's excited for the opportunity.
I’m a @Pirates !!! ?? #DreamComeTrue
— jack hartman (@109jhartman) June 12, 2020
Originally entering college as an infielder, Hartman converted to the mound at the next level. He brings a high-spin four-seam cutter and a solid slider, pitching comfortably between 92 and 96 mph and topping out around 97.
The Pirates' full list of picks in the 2020 MLB Draft is as follows:
- Round 1, No. 7 overall (Gonzales)
- Competitive Balance Round A/Round 1, No. 31 overall (Mlodzinski)
- Round 2, No. 44 overall (Jones)
- Round 3, No. 79 overall (Garcia)
- Round 4, No. 108 overall (Hartman)
- Round 5, No. 138 overall
