Pirates GM Ben Cherington hopes to add a 'ton of talent' by draft, trades over next 6 weeks

Jun. 20—Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington is unapologetic about assessing the team's needs, with acquiring a "ton of talent" among his top priorities.

Cherington hopes to change that over the next six weeks as the Pirates have the top overall pick in the MLB Draft on July 11-13 and are expected to trade some veterans by the July 30 deadline.

Moving the draft from early June to mid-July gave Cherington more time to evaluate the prospects for the top pick. Where scouts typically halt contact with high school and college players when their spring seasons start, they now can talk to them after it ends.

"It's really important, obviously, for us this draft, and having the extra month, more time to prepare, is really important," Cherington said. "Just trying to learn as much as we possibly can."

Vanderbilt right-handers Kumar Rocker and Jack Leiter, Louisville catcher Henry Davis and high school shortstops Jordan Lawlar, Marcelo Mayer, Brady House and Kahlil Watson are considered candidates for the No. 1 overall pick.

"It's ultimately going to be our choice, but there are still a number of players that we're considering, narrowing down," Cherington said. "It doesn't really feel that different from that standpoint. We're still trying to learn as much as we can. There's a lot of good players in this draft. We have got to make a good selection. We'd like to make 21 good selections. They're all important."

The Pirates also can acquire prospects through a trade, with second baseman Adam Frazier and reliever Richard Rodriguez among their top pieces to deal. Cherington admits he's not good at predicting when trade conversations turn to traction but said he's had more calls over the past 10 days than usual.

"It feels like it has picked up a little bit," Cherington said. "I guess we're at a normal — I guess I shouldn't say normal. In the old days with the draft, (it) would be over by now, and that's when those calls start to pick up. Maybe that's why they're starting to pick up. It's basically the same time, even though we haven't had the draft yet."

If the 10-game losing streak exposed the weaknesses on the major league roster, the injuries that sidelined top-10 prospects in infielder Nick Gonzales, outfielder Travis Swaggerty and pitcher Cody Bolton revealed their lack of depth in the minors.

"I think it's always hard, no matter where you are, what the team is," Cherington said. "I think it's always harder the closer you are to the field. In our case in baseball, that's gonna be the players in uniform, players and staff. They're the ones pouring everything they have into every day — into the preparation, into the practice, into the game prep and into the game itself — and then they're dissecting the day after every game. Yes, I have a part of that, I have some visibility to that, I have conversations. Of course I want us to do well, but I'm not quite as close to it."

Cherington said he has split his time between supporting the players and coaching staff with visiting minor league affiliates like Triple-A Indianapolis and concentrating on the MLB Draft in July. He credits Shelton and his staff for working hard to get better.

"We knew that there's going to be challenges this year," Cherington said. "Sure enough, there have been. Very encouraged generally of what's happening in baseball operations and the organization. It doesn't make Major League losses any easier, and particularly those guys who are closest to them every day."

Kevin Gorman is a Tribune-Review staff writer. You can contact Kevin by email at kgorman@triblive.com or via Twitter .