Draft signing updates

GM Neal Huntington gave a brief update on the progress of signing some of the targeted players from the Pirates’ 2009 Draft class.

Here’s a look at where the organization stands so far; and remember, the signing date is midnight on Aug. 17, so plenty of time remains to reach agreements.

1st round: C Tony Sanchez; signed on June 12; currently with low Single-A West Virginia

Supplemental 1st round: RHP Victor Black; signed June 22; currently with State College

2nd round: RHP Brooks Pounders; signed June 18; currently with Gulf Coast League Pirates

3rd round: CF Evan Chambers; Huntington reported being “very close” to signing the outfielder out of Hillsborough (Fla.) Community College

4th round: LHP Zackry Dodson; Huntington described Dodson as a “tough” sign, as the Medina Valley (Texas) high school product is set to go to Baylor University

5th round: LHP Nathaniel Baker; another early pick that Huntington said he feels good will get signed and playing this summer

Huntington characterized the negotiations with sixth-round pick RHP Zachary Von Rosenberg, seventh-round selection RHP Trent Stevenson and eighth-round choice LHP Billy Cain as “challenging.”