PITTSBURGH — No matter what they say or do in advance, the Pittsburgh Pirates always seem to take the same path in the first round of the June draft.

They choose a pitcher they can sign.

Daniel Moskos, a Clemson left-hander ranked as the No. 5 pitcher in the draft by Baseball America, went to the Pirates with the No. 4 overall pick — or about four to five spots higher than projected.

Because of his size (6-foot-1, 200 pounds), he is expected to be a reliever in the majors, although he has started for Clemson of late.

"We see him helping our major league staff in the near future," Pirates scouting director Ed Creech said.

Although Moskos has three excellent pitches and could advance through their farm system quickly, the Pirates have so many needs that a left-handed reliever would seem to be a luxury with so high a pick in the first round.

Moskos apparently felt so, calling his selection by Pittsburgh a surprise and a major shock.

Moskos' selection marked the seventh time in nine years and eighth in 11 years the Pirates went for a pitcher in the first round. Five of the six most recent first-rounders have needed reconstructive arm surgery, and that group has combined for only 19 major league victories — 13 by Paul Maholm (2003).

The Pirates, on pace for a 15th consecutive losing season, were believed to have wanted Cypress, Calif., high school third baseman Josh Vitters, but he went to the Cubs with the No. 3 pick.

Still, Pittsburgh had position player options with the No. 4 pick, including Georgia Tech's Matt Wieters, an excellent offensive and defensive catcher who was seen as the best college hitter available in the draft. But he is represented by agent Scott Boars, who often demands his clients be paid a premium.