by J.T. Toth
Photo courtesy of USA Today.
Name- Mitch Jebb
Pos-SS B- L T-R
Team- Michigan State.
HT/WT- 6’1” 185 lbs.
Born- 5/13/2002
Home – Saginaw, MI
Drafted- 2nd Round (42)
The Pittsburgh Pirates selected shortstop, Mitch Jebb, in the 2nd round of the rookie draft last night. Jebb, out of Michigan State, is a left-handed hitter who eventually could be moved to center field.
Jebb was the Saginaw High School Player of the Year as a junior in 2019 before losing his 2020 season to Covid-19.
Jebb started at shortstop for Michigan State from day one and was named all-Big Ten honors all three years. As a freshman, Jebb hit .276 with 0 home runs in 163 at bats and as a sophomore improved, hitting .356 with 6 home runs and 20 stolen bases.
Jebb played in the Cape Cod League during the summer of his sophomore year and excelled in the hardest wood bat league for hitters, again hitting .356 and adding 2-home runs. He was named no. 3 on Baseball America’s Top 50 Cape Cod Prospects list.
During his junior year at Michigan State, Jebb hit .337, led the Big Ten in triples with 7, and swiped 14 bases.
From a prospect’s perspective, Jebb has a great bat-to-ball approach, maintaining a 88% contact rate in 2023. He possesses above average bat speed from the left side and demonstrates excellent hand-eye coordination both at the plate and in the field.
Jebb does not project to be any more than a 10-15 home run power hitter in the pros, but it does not limit his line drive ability. Watching his film at the plate, he has an awkward stance and swing which seems to cut down his power, which may be corrected over time.
On the bases and in the field, Jebb runs well. This may be his best, too, having the speed to become a true lead off hitter for the Pirates down the road or a “table setter” that the organization is lacking.
On the downside, Jebb isn’t the best fielder at shortstop, and he only has a fringe arm to play the position in the majors. He could project as a future center fielder for Pittsburgh, a position they desperately need.
Conceptually, Draft 412 likes the Jebb selection in the 2nd round, especially if he can become a future leadoff hitter and/or center fielder. Tommy Edman of the St. Louis Cardinals may be a strong MLB comparison as to what may be expected of Jebb in the Bigs.