Pittsburgh Pirates
· 2026-07-12
Pittsburgh Pirates selected prep shortstop Aiden Ruiz with the 44th overall pick and Auburn second baseman Chris Rembert at 51st in the second round of the 2026 MLB Draft, reinforcing an infield as the club sits 8th in the National League with a 49-47 record and a two‑game winning streak.
Aiden Ruiz, a 19‑year‑old switch‑hitter from Stony Brook High School in New York, earned top defensive grades from MLB Pipeline (60 arm, 65 fielding) and Baseball America (55 arm, 70 fielding). Ranked sixth among shortstops by both services, he projects as a contact hitter with solid speed. Ruiz has committed to Vanderbilt and could re‑enter the draft in 2028 if he honors that pledge.
Chris Rembert, a 21‑year‑old sophomore from Auburn, posted a .343/.399/.459 slash line with an .858 OPS over 58 games in 2026. He logged 80 hits, four homers, 46 RBI and 12 steals. Pipeline gave him a 60 hit grade, while Baseball America assigned a 55. Ranked third among second basemen, Rembert’s defensive work is average, but his speed could eventually see him in left field.
After finishing last season with a sub‑.500 record, Pittsburgh’s front office identified defensive consistency as a priority. The two selections address both shortstop and second base, positions that have seen turnover in recent years. Ruiz’s glove work and Rembert’s contact hitting fit the club’s philosophy of building a gritty, fundamentals‑first roster.
The move also follows a recent trade with the Chicago White Sox, where Pittsburgh gave up its 34th overall Competitive Balance pick and left‑handed prospect Jaden Woods for reliever Brandon Eisert and infield prospect Jacob Gonzalez, signaling a clear intent to shore up the middle of the diamond.
The Pirates entered the week with a 49‑47 record, sitting eighth in the NL and riding a two‑game winning streak. They just earned a 3‑2 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers on July 11, 2026, a tight win that highlighted the need for reliable defense and timely hitting—exactly what Ruiz and Rembert promise to deliver in the future.
Adding two high‑graded infield prospects gives the club depth for the upcoming season and a pipeline of talent that could replace aging veterans or fill gaps caused by injuries. The selections also keep Pittsburgh competitive in the draft, following the first‑round pick of LSU outfielder Derek Curiel at fifth overall.
Ruiz will likely spend his first professional season in the low‑A affiliate, where his defensive instincts can be refined against seasoned competition. Rembert may start at high‑A, giving him a chance to adjust to wooden bats and a longer schedule.
Both players will be monitored closely by manager Derek Baker and hitting coach Mike Miller, who will assess their readiness for a potential call‑up if the Pirates need a defensive boost later in the year. Their progress will be a key storyline as Pittsburgh aims to climb out of the NL’s lower tier and contend for a playoff spot.
Pirates supporters have welcomed the focus on home‑grown talent, especially after a season that saw the club hover around .500. The draft picks provide a narrative of rebuilding from within, a theme that resonates with a fan base eager for sustained success. As the team looks to improve its standing, the addition of Ruiz and Rembert could become a cornerstone of the next competitive window.