# Locked On Pirates discusses MLB Draft strategies, key prospects, Pittsburgh's playoff chances, pitching issues, and Pirates lineup decisions for 2026.

Page: https://stenobird.com/podcast/locked-on-pirates-daily-podcast-on-the-pittsburgh-pirates-63933/locked-on-pirates-discusses-mlb-draft-strategies-key-prospects-pittsburgh-s-playoff-chances-pitching-issues-and-pirates-lineup-decisions-for-2026
Text version: https://stenobird.com/podcast/locked-on-pirates-daily-podcast-on-the-pittsburgh-pirates-63933/locked-on-pirates-discusses-mlb-draft-strategies-key-prospects-pittsburgh-s-playoff-chances-pitching-issues-and-pirates-lineup-decisions-for-2026.md
Podcast: [Locked On Pirates - Daily Podcast On The Pittsburgh Pirates](https://stenobird.com/podcast/locked-on-pirates-daily-podcast-on-the-pittsburgh-pirates-63933)
Published: 2026-07-07T04:00:00+00:00
Episode link: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/podcasts/locked-on-pirates/
Audio file: https://dts.podtrac.com/redirect.mp3/pdrl.fm/c332f6/lockedon.simplecastaudio.com/ca178804-c720-476f-9857-ad70690e8c6a/episodes/9125215a-e444-4387-89b2-2a218b2fe9e2/audio/128/default.mp3?aid=rss_feed&awCollectionId=ca178804-c720-476f-9857-ad70690e8c6a&awEpisodeId=9125215a-e444-4387-89b2-2a218b2fe9e2&feed=z3NI6hOx
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JSON: https://stenobird.com/v1/public/podcasts/locked-on-pirates-daily-podcast-on-the-pittsburgh-pirates-63933/episodes/locked-on-pirates-discusses-mlb-draft-strategies-key-prospects-pittsburgh-s-playoff-chances-pitching-issues-and-pirates-lineup-decisions-for-2026
Duration seconds: 2370

## Resource

Pittsburgh Pirates prepare to shape their next decade with the MLB Draft’s fifth overall pick and the league’s largest bonus pool. Will Jackson Flora become the latest ace to emerge from Pittsburgh's elite pitching pipeline, or will the front office target high-upside prep stars like Eric Booth Jr. or Jacob Lombard? The conversation focuses on draft strategy, the organization’s pitching development success, and the flexibility offered by coveted supplemental picks. Attention shifts to the Pirates’ playoff push, fueled by a top-five offensive unit led by Bryan Reynolds, Brandon Lowe, and Esmerlyn Valdez. With the team’s biggest obstacle now clearly the pitching staff, key questions arise: Can Paul Skenes and Mitch Keller return to form? Is a veteran starter or bullpen arm the missing piece? The discussion explores roster construction, the likelihood of cutting ties with Marcell Ozuna, Nick Yorke’s future, and how internal talent and possible trades could define the Pirates’ 2026 outlook.

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## Transcript

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