matt-gorksi-drafted

(Photo: IUHoosiers)

Indiana Hoosier OF Matt Gorski was selected in the second round, 57th overall by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2019 MLB Draft. Gorski is the highest drafted Big Ten player and he becomes the 95th all-time draft pick of the Indiana University baseball program. The Hamilton Southeastern graduate and Fishers, Indiana native has taken the seventh slot among highest drafted Hoosiers in program history and the highest since Kyle Schwarber in 2014.

Matt Gorski, who just completed his junior year of college and thus eligible for the draft, was ranked 92nd overall in SBNation’s MLB prospect rankings and ranked 112th in MLB.com’s Prospect Pipeline. Baseball America listed him at 150th overall. His selection in the second round gives Indiana some good news after a wild season-ending finish in Louisville this weekend.

Indiana’s LHP pitcher Andrew Saalfrank is also on the radar for the rounds to come in the 2019 MLB draft. The Big Ten pitcher of the year was listed as the 127th ranked prospect in the class by SBNation, but was not listed on MLB.com’s Prospect Watch. The remaining rounds of the draft will be broadcasted online at MLB.com between June 4th and June 5th.

What the Pittsburgh Pirates are Getting in OF Matt Gorski

Matt Gorski is a 21 year old player listed at 6-foot-4 and 195 pounds. Right away, Gorski has the size and athleticism that interested the Pirates. Specifically he has more room to grow on top of his 195 pound frame that would add even more strength to his already rawly-powerful swing. Gorski’s heat at the plate (12 home runs in the 2019 season) was a major contributor to the Hoosiers setting a program record for home runs and dominating the Big Ten in that category.

He already has the speed that has enabled him to get 57 stolen bases during his three years with the Hoosiers. In that category, he is second in the Big Ten and 25th in the nation among active players.

The Pirates are adding an all-around versatile player that can be a significant piece if he can make contact at the next level; however, like many other players in the professional ranks, hitting becomes extraordinarily difficult against higher level pitching targets.

Notable areas of improvement for Gorski include his pitch recognition and an over-extension in his right-handed swing, as mentioned by MLB.com.

Gorski can play both MIF and outfield and has recorded velocities of 89 mph from both positions according to Prep Baseball Report. His consistent outfielding has given him back-to-back perfect fielding percentages, with his 2 only career errors at Indiana University occuring during his freshman campaign. In the majors, the Pirates organization may look to use him at the right fielder position.

OF Matt Gorski Statistics at Indiana University

Season AVG GP GS AB R H 2B 3B HR RBI SLG% BB HBP SO GDP OB% SF SH SB PO A E FLD%
2017 0.288 51 45 170 28 49 5 1 4 22 0.4 15 1 35 3 0.348 1 12 15 380 16 2 0.995
2018 0.356 59 58 222 41 79 14 3 8 40 0.554 18 2 37 7 0.404 3 7 24 78 5 0 1.000
2019 0.271 55 55 225 58 61 13 1 12 46 0.498 37 0 62 6 0.374 0 0 18 111 5 0 1.000
Total 0.306 165 158 617 127 189 32 5 24 108 0.491 70 3 134 16 0.378 4 19 57 569 26 2 0.997

Highest Drafted Hoosiers in the MLB Draft

As mentioned, Matt Gorski becomes the 7th highest picked Hoosiers in the MLB Draft. Here are the top 15 highest drafted Hoosiers as of June 2019. Note that LHP Andrew Saalfrank may shake up this list even further in the next couple of days.

  1. C Kyle Schwarber (2014 – 1st Round / 4th Overall)
  2. SS Jim DeNuff (1966 – 1st Round / 8th Overall)
  3. RHP Eric Arnett (2009 – 1st Round / 26th Overall)
  4. 3B Kevin Orie (1993 – 1st Round / 29th Overall)
  5. C Josh Phegley (2009 – 1st Round / 38th Overall)
  6. LHP Matt Bashore (2009 – 1st Round / 46th Overall)
  7. OF Matt Gorski (2019 – 2nd Round / 57th Overall)
  8. 1B Sam Travis (2014 – 2nd Round / 67th Overall)
  9. RHP Barry Jones (1984 – 3rd Round / 69th Overall)
  10. OF Kennard Jones (2002 – 3rd Round / 85th Overall)
  11. DH Alex Dickerson (2011 – 3rd Round / 91st Overall)
  12. SS Mickey Morandini (1988 – 5th Round / 120th Overall)
  13. RHP Zach McClellan (2000 – 5th Round / 134th Overall)
  14. RHP Jonathan Stiever (2018 – 5th Round / 138th Overall)
  15. RHP Aaron Slegers (2013 – 5th Round / 140th Overall)