The Pittsburgh Pirates will have the fifth overall pick in this year’s MLB draft. Like any draft, this year’s class has a handful of extremely talented players at the top of the draft. However, one of the best catchers that the draft has seen in a while will likely go within the first five picks. That is Georgia Tech backstop Vahn Lackey. The Bucs need Vahn Lackey to fall to their pick at #5 this year.
Lackey has obliterated ACC pitching this year, slashing .407/.529/.790 with a .551 wOBA and 175 wRC+ over 278 plate appearances at the time of writing this. He has a blend of power and speed that you rarely see from backstops. Lackey has already hit 20 home runs with a .383 isolated slugging percentage. He has only gone down on strikes 13.3% of the time, and is drawing walks at a healthy 18.8% rate.
Lackey has the potential to be a five-tool catcher. MLB Pipeline does not grade any of his abilities below 50 (which is average on the 20-80 scale). On top of a plus hit tool, Lackey has above-average power. His defense behind the dish is another trait he looks great at. Lackey has had no problems throwing out base stealers either. Lackey’s baserunning and speed could give him double-digit steal totals.
Lackey falling to the Pirates would not only be fantastic for the Bucs because he is one of the most talented players in the draft, but it would also make the future of the Pirates’ catching situation a lot more promising. Henry Davis, Endy Rodriguez, Joey Bart, and Rafael Flores Jr. make up the Pirates’ current crop of 40-man rostered catchers. Davis may stick around as Paul Skenes’ personal catcher, but the rest have questionable futures with the Pirates.
The Pirates do have some interesting young catchers spread throughout their system. Easton Carmichael, their 2025 third-round pick, has hit well at High-A Greensboro. Former international signee Axiel Plaz has also crushed High-A hurlers. Edgleen Perez was also acquired as part of the David Bednar swap at the 2025 trade deadline and is getting on base at a high clip at A-Ball Bradenton. Omar Alfonzo is also still in the system, however he has struggled since reaching Double-A Altoona.
Although there are some interesting names here, none have the same potential as Vahn Lackey. His ceiling looks like that of J.T. Realmuto, a catcher who can do just about anything. The question is if he’ll still be on the board when the Pirates are on the clock. It seems destined that UCLA shortstop Roch Cholowsky will go first overall. Lackey is considered the consensus #3 draft prospect. Obviously, that doesn’t mean he is guaranteed to go third overall. However, after Cholowsky, all the Pirates need is for one team to go overslot on one pick, another to go underslot on another pick, and Lackey will fall into their laps.
