The Pittsburgh Pirates selected UCSB right-handed pitcher Matt Ager with the 174th overall pick in the 6th Round of the 2024 MLB Draft on Monday.
Ager joins a Pittsburgh organization that has found plenty of success developing pitching prospects, most recently Paul Skenes and Jared Jones.
The 6-foot-6 Ager was a starter for the majority of his Gaucho career before transitioning to the bullpen in his final season in 2024.
This past spring, he was named to the All-Big West Second Team after posting a 1.19 ERA with 23 strikeouts in 22 â…” innings of relief.
He also converted 11-of-11 save opportunities throughout the year, including pitching in three of UCSB’s four games at the Santa Barbara Regional.
Perhaps his best season as a Gaucho came in 2023 when Ager was an All-Big West First Team member and was given NCBWA All-American Third Team honors.
In that year as a starter, Ager struck out 115 batters in 92 â…“ innings while making quality starts in 11 of his 15 outings.
Ager, 21, will look to make an immediate impact for one of the minor league teams in the Pirates’ organization.
