High Contact Rate Makes Mitch Jebb A Hit With Pirates
The Pirates focused on pitchers in the 2023 draft.
Including No. 1 overall pick Paul Skenes out of Louisiana State, Pittsburgh drafted pitchers with nine of its 11 picks in the first 10 rounds—and with 14 of 21 total picks.
Second-rounder Mitch Jebb out of Michigan State was a rare exception.
The 21-year-old shortstop has outstanding bat-to-ball skills and had an 88% contact rate as a junior.
“(He is a) well-versed college hitter who very much knows how he hits, likes how he hits,” Pirates scouting director Joe DelliCarri said.
The lefthanded-hitting Jebb’s swing is compact. He holds his hands close to his chest as he crouches over the plate. His setup features a lot of pre-pitch movement and rhythm.
The Pirates like Jebb’s ability to make contact and feel he’s in tune with his movements.
“High contact. Swing decisions. Delivers the barrel consistently,” DelliCarri said. “(He) may have a little old-time look to how he does it, but make no mistake, he knows very well what he’s doing.
“He knows his swing well.”
That swing played early in in his pro career. He went 12-for-32 (.375) in his first seven games for Low-A Bradenton. He struck out only once through 34 plate appearances and had been aggressive on the bases with plus speed.
The 6-foot-1, 185-pound Jebb doesn’t bring a lot of power to the plate. His fringy arm and plus speed might make him a candidate for a move to the outfield.
“He knows there’s opportunities ahead of him of some areas that he can still build upon,” DelliCarri said.
The Pirates met with Jebb a few times during the scouting process and came away impressed with his growth mindset and the aptitude he showed in college. Both will help as he works his way up the minor league ladder.
BURIED TREASURE
— Second baseman Termarr Johnson, drafted fourth overall out of high school in 2022, was promoted to High-A Greensboro. At Low-A Bradenton he hit .244/.419/.448 with 13 home runs in 75 games. He hit 12 of his 13 homers in June and July, while posting a near 24% walk rate and a 22.5% strikeout rate in 222 plate appearances during that stretch.
