The 2023 season may have marked a turning point in this Pirates rebuild. The team improved from a 62-win 2022 to a near .500 mark in 2023, winning 76 games and spending 27 days in 1st place, as late as June 15th. Pirates fans also finally got to see some of their premier prospect talent in Pittsburgh, as the team promoted Endy Rodriguez, Henry Davis, Nick Gonzales (still prospect eligible and on this list), Quinn Priester, and Liover Peguero during the season. That’s fix of our top six prospects from last year’s pre-season top 50!
Building off that exciting 2023 season, more reinforcements are on the way. Critically, the Pirates system is flush with young arms who are knocking on the door. The big league club acquired a few veteran stopgaps in Martín Pérez and Marco Gonzales, and Bailey Falter has shown occasional flashes, but this rotation needs some oomph. Seven of our top ten Pirates prospects are pitchers, and of those, four have already hit Double-A. By the time we get around to our mid-season updates, I expect the Pirates rotation will look considerably different than it does right now on paper.
Oh, and they’re getting Oneil Cruz back! Pirates fans have a lot to be excited about this year, with a solid young position player nucleus, and some electric arms on the horizon. (@ATXRainDog)
Seven Prospects1500 writers contributed to this column and rankings including Daniel Hoyle (@ATXRainDog), Scott Greene (@Scotty_Ballgame), Tony Bps (@tonybps1), Greg Bracken (@gregbracken07), Adam Greene (@aj_greene1015), Clint Fasse (@ProspectLarceny), and Jeremy Mahy (@JMahyfam). The writer’s Twitter handle follows each player write-up or paragraph.
Prospects1500 Tiers:
Tier 1: Players with high expectations of both making the majors and playing at an All-Star level for a number of years
Tier 2: Players with an above-average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor
Tier 3: Players with an average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor
Tier 4: Players who have the potential to make the majors; possible sleeper candidates for sustained MLB success
Tier 5: Players of interest, worth keeping an eye on, who may make (or have made) the majors but provide minimal impact
Brailyn Brazodan, OF from the Dominican Republic was one of Pittsburgh’s top J15 international signees. Look for him to be ranked in our midseason update later this summer.
Levels listed for each player are the highest levels player reached in 2023
Tier 1
1. Paul Skenes, RHP, 21, Double-A
Skenes, the #1 overall pick in the 2023 MLB Draft, is arguably the top pitching prospect in baseball. Although scouts have raised questions about the shape of his fastball, he has a prototypical power arsenal with upper 90s gas and one of the best sliders in the minors. His changeup is still a work in progress, and there may be adjustments needed with his heater, but this is an electric arm that’s very likely to see Pittsburgh in 2024. (@ATXRainDog)
Tier 2
2. Termarr Johnson, 2B, 19, High-A
Heading into his second full pro season, the prospect profile for Johnson has shifted dramatically. Billed as having a generational hit tool coming out of the prep ranks in 2022, Johnson has shown significantly more swing-and-miss than anticipated while showcasing more power than expected. He also has one of the best batting eyes in the minors, rarely expanding the zone and running 20%+ walk rates at both A-ball levels. There are likely adjustments coming, but this version of Johnson, a power hitting OBP machine, will still play. (@ATXRainDog)
3. Jared Jones, RHP, 22, Triple-A
Jones made a leap in 2023, dominating AA on his way to an 80-inning stint in AAA Indianapolis as a 21-year-old. Jones has now eclipsed 120 innings in consecutive seasons and looks likely to stick as a starter long term. He has a four pitch mix with a high 90s 4-seam, a nasty slider/cutter, a changeup that flashes plus, and a curveball that is a pretty clear 4th option. The fastball and cutter alone give him a solid reliever floor, but improvements with his changeup and command suggest he’ll stay in the rotation. There’s a very good chance he’ll join Skenes in Pittsburgh in 2024. (@ATXRainDog)
Tier 3
4. Anthony Solometo, LHP, 21, Double-A
Solometo was Pittsburgh’s 2nd round pick in 2021. Following a stellar pro debut in 2022 for Single-A Bradenton, the lefty split this past year almost evenly between High-A Greensboro (12 starts, 58.2 IP) and Double-A Altoona (12 starts, 51.2 IP). That’s almost a perfect trajectory for his pitching development. Look to see at least a few more starts in AA to start this season, and then hopefully he’s on his way to Indianapolis, with PNC Park not in the too distant future. His MiLB career ERA is 3.08, he’s striking out more than a batter per inning (9.6 K/9), and he keeps his hits/walks under control (1.14 WHIP) – three indicators of success in the big leagues. (@Scotty_Ballgame)
5. Bubba Chandler, RHP, 21, Double-A
Chandler came into the Pirates organization as a two way player, but last season the teams decided the time had come for him to solely focus on pitching. After bursting onto the scene with a 2.61 ERA in 2022, there were high expectations for Chandler even though he struggled at the beginning of the season. He settled in though, finished the year strong, and set himself up to bounce back in 2024. His fastball is his best offering sitting in the high 90s, and he uses a slider/curve pairing too. There’s a changeup too, but Chandler doesn’t throw it nearly as much as the others. A slight improvement over his command and zone control will go a long way for carrying him through the upper minors. (@aj_greene1015)
6. Thomas Harrington, RHP, 22, High-A
Perhaps the most impressive debut season for any pitcher in Pittsburgh’s system belonged to Harrington last season. In 127.1 innings, he struck out 146, tying Jones for the most in the Pirates’ minors, with a 3.53 ERA. His changeup gets him the most whiffs, and when worked in tandem with his curve, Harrington has no problem putting away hitters. The velocities on those two pitches are drastically lower than his fastball; it’s similar to his slider, but that features much more horizontal break. The K/BB rate improved once he made the jump to High-A which is exactly that you want to see, so barring any setbacks Harrington should break through to Altoona this year. (@aj_greene1015)
7. Mitch Jebb, SS/2B, 21, Single-A
Jebb, whom the Pirates selected 42nd overall last July, coming off three years in the Michigan State lineup and a summer on the Cape (2022, Hyannis), impressed in his 34 games pro debut for the Marauders last season. After 50 games for the Spartans, Jebb hit .297 in the Florida State League, with only 11 strikeouts in 153 plate appearances (7.2%). He’s likely going to start 2024 in High-A Greensboro and could move through the system quickly. (@Scotty_Ballgame)
8. Mike Burrows, RHP, 24, Triple-A
I feel like I snagged Burrows in dynasty three years ago. Heck, maybe I did. He’s been around since the Pirates took a shot on him in the 11th round back in 2018. He debuted that summer in Rookie ball, started 11 games in then Advanced-A West Virginia (NYPL), and then lost 2020 to the pandemic. Fast forward three years, Burrows dominated AA in 12 starts for Altoona last season and earned himself a promotion to AAA Indy, where he did struggle in the minors’ highest level. He’ll look to turn things around in Triple-A and might be able to help the Pirates either as a starter or out of the pen. (@Scotty_Ballgame)
9. Hunter Barco, LHP, 23, Single-A
The Pirates saw enough potential in the former Florida Gator to take him 44th overall in the 2022 draft despite TJ surgery cutting short his final collegiate season. When healthy, the 6’4” lefthander displays a solid three pitch mix that could land him in the Bucs future rotation plans. Despite a deceptive low-slot, cross-body delivery, he showed good control/command prior to surgery. If the control returns, the Pirates might get rewarded for their draft day gamble. (@JMahyfam)
10. Tsung-Che Cheng, SS/2B, 22, Double-A
Cheng split time between High-A and Double-A in 2023, earning a promotion and climbing prospect rankings after posting a 163 wRC+ in Greensboro. The versatile switch hitter can play really good defense at both positions up the middle. When combining that with his speed, 26 steals last year, Cheng can be considered one of the best utility men in the organization. The Taiwanese prospect has some of the best bat-to-ball skills in the Pittsburgh pipeline, which could make him an impact major leaguer in the next few seasons. (@aj_greene1015)
Tier 4
11. Jack Brannigan, 3B/SS, 22, High-A
12. Lonnie White Jr., OF, 21, Single-A
13. Jackson Wolf, LHP, 24, MLB
14. Braxton Ashcraft, RHP, 24, Double-A
15. Zander Mueth, RHP, 18, High School
16. Jun-Seok Shim, RHP, 19, Rookie (FCL)
17. Nick Gonzales, 2B/SS, 24, MLB
18. Michael Kennedy, LHP, 19, Single-A
19. Yordany De Los Santos, SS/2B, 18, Single-A
20. Garret Forrester, 3B/1B, 22, Single-A
21. Jase Bowen, OF/1B, 23, Double-A
22. Malcom Nuñez, 1B/3B, 22, Triple-A
23. Matt Gorski, OF, 26, Triple-A
24. Po-Yu Chen, RHP, 22, High-A
25. Shalin Polanco, OF, 19, Single-A
26. Kyle Nicolas, RHP, 24, MLB
27. Jesus Castillo, 3B/1B/2B, 20, Single-A
28. Enmanuel Terrero, OF, 21, Single-A
Brannigan has been great defensively for the Pirates and has about average hitting skills. Shim was signed after pitching very well in Korea looks to be a mid-rotation starter. White, Jr. was a two-sport athlete in high school and has dealt with injuries during his time in the organization limiting his ability to show off his many tools. Gonzales is only 15 at bats away from losing eligibility. His power has been coming at the expense of his hitting tool, but he’s still a very talented 2B to buy low. De Los Santos is a good-hit, good-power young shortstop with a chance to move up these rankings as he matures and develops. Forrester was one of the better college hitters in the draft with a good feel for hitting with solid power in the bat. Bowen starred in the Arizona Fall League, participating in the HR Derby, named to the Fall Stars Game, and was tied for fourth in the league with 50 total bases. Nuñez has very solid power and an improving hit-tool. Gorski is a little older for a prospect at 26 years old but has some good pop and speed and may be able to contribute in the majors this season as a backup outfielder. Chen is a backend rotation type with potential for more as he develops. Polanco was a hyper international signee during the 2021 period but his many tools haven’t led to positive results just yet. (@tonybps1)
Tier 5
29. Axiel Plaz, C, 18, Rookie (FCL)
30. Tony Blanco Jr., 1B, 18, Rookie (DSL)
31. Jhonny Severino, 3B/SS, 19, Rookie (FCL)
32. Josiah Sightler, 1B, 24, High-A
33. Joe Perez, OF/3B, 24, Triple-A
34. Hudson Head, OF, 22, High-A
35. Estuar Suero, OF, 18, Rookie (FCL)
36. Owen Kellington, RHP, 20, Single-A
37. Tres Gonzalez, OF, 23, High-A
38. Maikol Escotto, SS/2B, 21, High-A
39. Carlson Reed, RHP, 21, Rookie (FCL)
40. Sean Sullivan, RHP, 23, Double-A
41. Alexander Mojica, 1B, 21, Single-A
42. Patrick Reilly, RHP, 22, Single-A
43. Charles McAdoo, OF/2B, 21, Single-A
44. Tyler Samaniego, LHP, 24, Double-A
45. Khristian Curtis, RHP, 21, College
46. Alessandro Ercolani, RHP, 19, Single-A
47. J.P. Massey, RHP, 23, High-A
48. Kalae Harrison, 3B/2B, 21, Single-A
49. Jaden Woods, LHP, 21, Single-A
50. Esmerlyn Valdez, OF/1B, 19, Single-A
Plaz is more of a defensive catcher with limited hitting ability. Blanco, Jr. has immense talent but hasn’t shown much yet in the two years with the team. Keep your eye on this one, though. Severino is a potential utility type player in the majors. Sightler had Tommy John surgery which delayed his debut until this past season and he didn’t disappoint. He’s a potential contributor in the outfield. Perez had a solid season in his first year with Pittsburgh but projects to a bench role in the future. Suero is all about his tools right now being 18 years old with less than 400 at bats in the minors. Could move up the rankings after this season. Head has been struggling the last couple of years and is starting to lose his prospect luster. Gonzalez is a solid hitter with a great eye at the plate but the lack of power limits him. Escotto, once a higher-ranked Yankees prospect, hasn’t put it all together since coming over from the Yankees in 2021. Sullivan could be a backend rotation piece as soon as later this season. @byrontx has a soft spot for Mojica and considers him one of the last great Marauders after three seasons in Bradenton. Reed, Samaniego, Reilly, and Kellington are potential middle relievers. Curtis hasn’t pitched for the team yet after being taken in the 2023 draft. (@tonybps1)
Prospects1500 is your comprehensive dynasty league resource, featuring deep MLB/MiLB top prospect lists, news and rankings.
Adam Greene is a Sport Management and Marketing double major at UMass Amherst's Isenberg School of Management. His main focus is sport marketing, where he's already had internships with the local Westfield Starfires and Springfield Thunderbirds. He now writes for the Cape Cod Baseball League. From Longmeadow, MA, Adam is a huge Red Sox fan and has been following the team his whole life. When Covid hit, he started paying a lot more attention to the Red Sox minor league teams, and now, follows them almost as much as the big league squad. Follow him on Twitter at @aj_greene1015 and Instagram at the same handle.
President of Prospects1500. Founder of Diamond Duos dynasty fantasy baseball leagues and the MLB Fantasy Playoffs Parlay. Participant and champion in several dynasty/fantasy baseball and football leagues. Sales Manager for Reminder Publishing in real life. Huge Bruce Springsteen and pro wrestling fan. Along with his wife and two boys, lives in Longmeadow, MA. Follow on Twitter at @Scotty_Ballgame.
Jeremy covers the St Louis organization and contributes on Prospects of the Week for Prospects1500. Born and raised in the Midwest, he is a lifelong fan of the Birds on the Bat. You can follow him on Twitter @JMahyfam for more baseball content.
"Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good, too." -Yogi Berra
Tony Bps Spina is a lifelong baseball fan hailing from the City of Brotherly Love - Philadelphia! Tony has loved baseball since 1980 and has followed the Phillies through good and bad times. Tony is married with 3 kids and works for a financial institution but has enough free time to play in 20 fantasy baseball leagues with 75% of them being Dynasty Leagues. He lives a few blocks away from Citizens Bank Park and attends many Phillies games per year in addition to their minor league teams in Lehigh Valley and Reading. He can be reached on Twitter at @TonyBps1.
Daniel is a longtime baseball fanatic, born and raised in North Carolina on a sports diet of Tar Heels basketball and Braves baseball. He has lived in the Austin area since 2006 and now resides just a few miles from the Dell Diamond where the Texas Rangers AAA affiliate Round Rock Express play their home games. He has been playing fantasy baseball for more than 20 years, and over the past 5 years has developed a potentially unhealthy relationship with dynasty baseball. His deepest league is a mostly offline 20 team contracts league with 130-man rosters, and he enters 2023 looking to defend his first league title.
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Daniel Hoylehttps://www.prospects1500.com/author/dhoylep1500/
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