The Pittsburgh Pirates will not be signing their second-round draft pick. Right-hander Angel Cervantes, selected No. 50 overall in the 2025 MLB Draft, announced last week that he will honor his commitment to UCLA.
Cervantes, a standout from Earl Warren High School in Downey, California, had a dominant senior season, posting a 1.59 ERA with 106 strikeouts and four complete games. The Pirates viewed him as one of the most talented prep arms available but knew from the outset that signing him might be a long shot.
General manager Ben Cherington addressed the situation candidly, saying the club was aware of the potential risk when they made the pick.
“We understood enough about the situation,” Cherington said, as transcribed by Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. “There was some risk he would not sign. We took him knowing that.” Cherington emphasized that the team made a strong offer but Cervantes ultimately chose to return college.
“We respect that decision,” he said, noting the Pirates will now receive the 51st overall pick in 2026 as compensation.
Story continues below advertisement
This marks the second time in recent memory the Pirates have failed to sign a top-50 pick out of high school. In 2016, they drafted Nick Lodolo at No. 41, only to see him head to TCU. He was later taken by the Cincinnatti Reds in the top 10 and developed into a key piece of the club’s rotation.
Even without Cervantes, the Pirates’ draft haul remains promising.
They used the No. 6 pick on Seth Hernandez, a right-hander with a power fastball, elite changeup and sharp-breaking curve. Pittsburgh also added Jack Anker out of Fresno State in the sixth round, a hard-throwing righty who notably notched 16 strikeouts in a game last season against San Diego State.
More MLB: Pirates Finalize Plan To Preserve ‘Bucco Brick’ Messages
Story continues below advertisement
Featured image via Isaiah J. Downing/Imagn Images