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

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.Everydayer Club If you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!   Amazon This Back To School Season, spend less on your kids, with Amazon. With Amazon’s low Back To School Prices, just spend less on your kids. Because every dollar you don’t spend on them, is a dollar you haven’t spent on them.    Proton It’s easy to get started. Right now, Proton VPN is offering our listeners 70% off a two-year plan when you go to https://ProtonVPN.com/LOCKEDONMLB.   Odoo Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon. Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at https://Indeed.com/podcast   KALSHI For a limited time, download the Kalshi app and use code LOCKEDON to get ten dollars when you trade ten. Kalshi. Trade on anything. Gametime Today's episode is brought to you by Gametime. Download the Gametime app, create an account, and use code LOCKEDON for $20 off your first purchase. Terms and conditions apply. FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started now.   FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.