With the fifth pick in the first round of the major-league portion of the Rule 5 Draft, the Pirates selected right-handed pitcher Carter Baumler.

Baumler, 23, had a 2.04 ERA and 1.08 WHIP over 28 appearances between the rookie, high Class A and Class AA levels in the Orioles organization last season. He was a fifth round pick of the Orioles in 2020.

In the minor-league phase of the draft, the Pirates selected 23-year-old right-handed pitcher Junior Flores (Giants), 26-year-old left-handed pitcher Brandon Neeck (Dodgers), 22-year-old right-handed pitcher Kyle Larsen (Rangers) and 21-year-old right-handed pitcher Bryan Meña (Rockies).

Flores made eight appearances and threw 10 2/3 innings between low and high Class A in 2025. Neeck had a 5.40 ERA, 1.76 WHIP and .264 batting average against over 39 appearances at the Class AA level. Larsen finished with a 4.09 ERA and 1.39 WHIP in 20 appearances between the rookie and low Class A levels. Meña made 29 appearances (18 starts) at the low Class A level, compiling a 5.62 ERA and 1.69 WHIP. 

Right-handed reliever Jack Carey, who spent this past season pitching between high Class A Greensboro and Class AA Altoona, was the only player not protected by the Pirates who was selected. He was taken by the Guardians in the minor-league phase.