Pirates clinch No. 1 draft pick in 2011

The Seattle Mariners defeated the Texas Rangers 3-1 Tuesday evening, to clinch the Pirates will have the Number one overall draft pick in 2011.

This marks the first time the Pirates have had the first overall draft pick since 2002.

The top talent in the draft is third baseman Anthony Rendon from Rice University. 

“Really, we look forward to the day we start picking 28th and 30th,” general manager Neal Huntington said. “We’ve had two No. 2s already and, in our minds, it’s no different except that we’re able to pick out the guy we want a little earlier than usual. We’ve got to get the right pick, whether it’s that round or the 32nd round.”

“I’ll be able to give a lot more information about who we take No. 1 in the country after we take him,” he said. “There’s a good list of guys available, some college arms, and there could be some college bats. Prior to the injury, Rendon’s a very interesting player. We’ve got to see where he is post-injury.”

The injury Huntington is referring to is an ankle injury that required surgery on July 14th. He is expected to recover fully but the Pirates will continue to monitor him.

If drafted, Pedro Alvarez is expected to move to first base and Rendon will be the new third baseman.

Get your Jersey’s soon. If the Pirates select him, he will sure be a stud in a great lineup.