Pirates sign 5 Day 2 draft picks, including a pitcher with Westmoreland County ties

The Pittsburgh Pirates signed five college players selected on the second day of the MLB Draft — including one with Westmoreland County ties — and assigned them to the Florida Complex League in Bradenton, Fla.

Pirates amateur scouting director Justin Horowitz announced the signings Monday of three pitchers, a shortstop and a catcher. Terms of the signing bonuses were not revealed.

• Right-handed pitcher Matt Ager, a sixth-round pick from UC-Santa Barbara, is the son of Penn-Trafford graduate Jeff Ager. The 6-foot-6, 225-pounder, who went 3-4 with a 4.02 ERA and 11 saves this past season, was signed by scout Brian Tracy.

• Left-hander Connor Wietgrefe, a seventh-rounder from Minnesota, went 8-4 with a 2.77 ERA in 78 innings over 15 appearances (13 starts) with 74 strikeouts. He was signed by scout Anthony Wycklendt.

• Right-hander Gavin Adams, an eighth-rounder from Florida State, averaged 15.04 strikeouts per nine innings at Indian River State College in 2023. Adams was drafted by the Washington Nationals in the 11th round but didn’t sign, and missed the 2024 season after undergoing Tommy John surgery. He was signed by scout Darren Mazeroski.

• Shortstop Duce Gourson, a ninth-round pick from UCLA, led the Bruins in OBP, doubles, extra-base hits, walks, and stolen bases this past season. He also was signed by Tracy.

• Catcher Derek Berg, a 10th-rounder from Army, is a 6-3, 200-pounder who hit .290 with a team-high 15 home runs and 38 RBIs for the Black Knights. He was signed by scout Eddie Charles.