Pedro Alvarez goes No. 2 overall in MLB Draft

In what should come as little surprise to anyone, the Pittsburgh Pirates drafted Vanderbilt 3B Pedro Alvarez with the second overall pick in the 2008 MLB Draft. Alvarez was hurt for much of the 2008 season, but still managed 9 HR and 30 RBI in 40 games.

Alvarez will likely headline a relatively week Pirates farm system that hasn't produced a legitimate power hitting prospect in several years. Check back for more analysis later, and tune into ESPN to see where the rest of the Dores will go in the draft.

UPDATE: In his pick-by-pick analysis, ESPN's Keith Law said this about Alvarez:

"The pick makes sense for the Pirates, who have had a hard time developing power hitters and don't have a lot in their system. If he moved to first base, he'd have a clear path to the majors there. Same thing at third base. My only concern is that they didn't pick the best player on the board at this point. Justin Smoak would have made just as much if not more sense. But if everything clicks with Alvarez, the Pirates have a cleanup hitter for the next several years with 40-homer potential in the majors."

Additionally, Vanderbilt recruit Anthony Hewitt, a shortstop from Salisbury, Conn., went No. 24 to the Philadelphia Phillies, which means there is a good chance he will sign. Here's what Law had to say about Hewitt:

"Hewitt looks as good as anyone in a uniform in this year's draft. He's a five-tool package. He will put on a show in batting practice, but he's struggled in game situations against tough competition, like at the Area Code Games last summer. He projects more as a center fielder than as a shortstop. If everything clicks, he's a potential superstar. The problem is that he's about 4-6 years away unless he developmentally makes a quantum leap forward. He's high risk, potentially high reward."

Hewitt's comments to Baseball America suggest that he will not be joining the Commodores.

"All that hard work has paid off," he said. "I was kind of hoping I’d end up with Philadelphia. They have a good farm system and develop their players."

Photo [Associated Press]