Pittsburgh Pirates Top 50 Prospects (2025)

PITgraphic — Top 50 graphic design by Michael Packard, @CollectingPack on Twitter.

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Pittsburgh Pirates

NL Central
2024 record: 76-86 (5th)

MiLB affiliates
Triple-A: Indianapolis Indians
Double-A: Altoona Curve
High-A: Greensboro Grasshoppers
Single-A: Bradenton Marauders

Notable prospects graduated in 2024
RHP Paul Skenes
RHP Jared Jones
2B/SS Nick Gonzales

Prospects1500 writers who contributed to this column and rankings: Tony Bps (@tonybps1), Greg Bracken (@gregbracken07), Clint Fasse (@ProspectLarceny), Adam Greene (@aj_greene1015), Scott Greene (@Scotty_Ballgame), Shaun Kernahan (@ShaunKernahan), Jeremy Mahy (@JMahyfam) and J.W. Mulpas (@BBoxscore). 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

Levels listed for each player are the highest levels player reached in 2024

Tier 1

1. Bubba Chandler, RHP, 22, Triple-A
A little more consistency with his command and some fine tuning of his slider and Chandler will be ready to roll. He has number two starter written all over him. His 98 mph fastball and 70-grade changeup highlight a nasty arsenal. A Skenes-Chandler-Jones head of the rotation is not far away Pirates fans. (@JMahyfam)

2. Konnor Griffin, SS, 18, High school
The high school class in the 2024 draft lacked a real 1-1 candidate, and Griffin was the first selected at 9th overall. That said, the upside here is massive as he is an absolute tool shed of a prospect. He has four tools with plus to better potential (he can be a plus defender in the outfield) but his game is still pretty raw and probably won’t be the quickest mover through the system. (@ShaunKernahan)

Tier 2

3. Termarr Johnson, 2B/SS, 20, Double-A
There are a couple factors that make Johnson one of the more polarizing prospects in baseball. As the No. 4 pick in 2022, the Pirates envisioned a prospect with an elite hit tool that would hit for average throughout MiLB. While that hasn’t come to fruition as of yet, he’s tapped into some huge power potential. Once the weather warmed up, Johnson hit .290 in June/July and was promoted to Altoona. He’ll return there to begin 2025, and with a big season he can easily recoup his top 100 status. (@aj_greene1015)

4. Nick Yorke, 2B, 22, MLB
The Boston Red Sox logjam of middle infield prospects incentivized them to trade their 2020 first round pick to the Pirates. Yorke had just been promoted to Triple-A Worcester, but after the move, he was playing on another level. He slashed .355/.431/.507 in Indianapolis, and made his MLB debut for 11 games at the end of the year. His defense has come a long way since being drafted, and although his range isn’t elite by any standards, he’s good enough at second that the Pirates can play him there every day in 2025 and also slot him into the back half of their lineup. (@aj_greene1015)

Tier 3

5. Thomas Harrington, RHP, 23, Triple-A
Harrington is the epitome of a low-risk, high-floor pitcher. He is not going to dazzle you with high velocity, but he has pinpoint control and command. Across 117.1 innings last year, he had a walk rate of 1.46 per nine innings and a 0.96 WHIP, which ranked him in the top 10 among qualified minor league pitchers. His five-pitch arsenal keeps hitters off balance and induces weak contact. Harrington was promoted to Triple-A in August, so it’s just a matter of time until he becomes a mid-rotation starter for the Buccos. (@BBoxscore)

6. Braxton Ashcraft, RHP, 25, Triple-A
With all the well deserved attention that other young Pirate’s hurlers get it might be easy to overlook Ashcraft. That would be a mistake. In 73 innings across Double/Triple-A, he recorded a 1.07 WHIP with a 26% K rate. He has a checkered past with injuries, but if he can stay healthy you could absolutely see him in the big league rotation right along side the other young studs. (@JMahyfam)

7. Hunter Barco, LHP, 24, Double-A
Pittsburgh’s second round pick in 2023 out of the University of Florida is a pitcher on the rise, and certainly one to keep an eye on in Tier 3. Following a successful pro debut in Rookie ball and Single-A the summer he was drafted, at 23 he put together an excellent campaign across High/Double-A in 2024. The lefty posted a 3.27 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 18 games (16 starts), with 11.3 K/9. Barco is projected to anchor the Altoona rotation heading into 2025, and nobody should be surprised to see him moved up to Triple-A after the All-Star break. (@Scotty_Ballgame)

Tier 4

8. Mitch Jebb, 2B/SS, 22, High-A
9. Keiner Delgado, SS, 21, Single-A
10. Jack Brannigan, SS/3B, 23, High-A
11. Wyatt Sanford, SS, 19, High school
12. Levi Sterling, RHP, 18, High school
13. Zander Mueth, RHP, 19, Single-A
14. Anthony Solometo, LHP, 22, Double-A
15. Mike Burrows, RHP, 25, MLB
16. Lonnie White Jr., OF, 22, High-A
17. Jhonny Severino, 3B/SS, 20, Single-A
18. Yordany de los Santos, SS, 19, Single-A
19. Tsung-Che Cheng, SS, 23, Triple-A
20. Billy Cook, 1B, 26, MLB
21. Tony Blanco Jr., 1B, 19, Rookie (FCL)
22. Carlson Reed, RHP, 22, High-A

Jebb stole 43 bases last season and has a good hit-tool. Sanford was the team’s 2nd round pick and didn’t play last season but has the ability to hit well with some pop. Sterling has potential to be a mid-rotation starter or more. White Jr. has battled injuries each year, which has limited his number at-bats. Severino has looked about average in his two years but is still young and was highly touted when he signed. de los Santos is a solid all-around player who put up impressive numbers in 2024. He’s one to keep an eye on in this tier. Cheng has a good approach at the plate and has some speed to him. If the power develops, he could be a solid major leaguer. Look for Reed to build on his excellent 2024 and potentially rocket up these Pirates rankings. (@tonybps1)

Tier 5

23. Estuar Suero, OF, 19, Rookie (FCL)
24. Omar Alfonzo, C/1B, 21, High-A
25. Shalin Polanco, OF, 20, Single-A
26. David Matoma, RHP, 18, Rookie (FCL)
27. Edward Florentino, OF, 18, Rookie (DSL)
28. Axiel Plaz, C/1B, 19, Single-A
29. Wilkin Ramos, RHP, 24, Triple-ASS
30. Po-Yu Chen, RHP, 23, Double-A
31. Cy Nielson, LHP, 23, Double-A
32. Alessandro Ercolani, RHP, 20, High-A
33. Jase Bowen, OF, 24, Double-A
34. Matt Ager, RHP, 21, College
35. Adbiel Feliz, SS, 17, Rookie (DSL)
36. Brandan Bidois, RHP, 23, Triple-A
37. Esmerlyn Valdez, OF/1B, 20, Single-A
38. Sammy Siani, OF, 24, Double-A
39. Nick Cimillo, 1B, 24, Double-A
40. Khristian Curtis, RHP, 22, Single-A
41. Bralyn Brazoban, OF, 18, Rookie (DSL)
42. Jeral Toledo, 2B, 22, Single-A
43. Richard Ramirez, C, 19, Rookie (FCL)
44. Antwone Kelly, RHP, 21, Single-A
45. Enmanuel Terrero, OF, 22, Single-A
46. Carlos Castillo, RHP, 18, Single-A
47. Will Taylor, OF, 22, Single-A
48. Eddie Rynders, SS, 19, High school
49. Justin Meis, RHP, 25, Double-A
50. Dominic Perachi, LHP, 23, Double-A

Suero has struggled in his three years but has solid tools and the team will be patient with his development. Alfonzo could be a backup catcher in the major leagues. Polanco was highly touted when he signed back in 2021 but the results haven’t really shown yet. He’s still only 20 years old. Matoma is an interesting prospect, who can hit 100 mph but needs to work more on his control. Florentino had about the same number of walks as strikeouts (minus one) and showed solid power as an 18-year-old. Plaz has good pop but strikeouts could hold him back as he develops. Bowen has solid power but strikeouts have hurt his potential. Terrero has solid power but needs to develop some other tools as he rises through the system. (@tonybps1)

Adam Greene

Adam Greene is a student UMass Amherst's Isenberg School of Management. He currently writes for the Cape Cod Baseball League and UMass Athletics. From Longmeadow, MA, Adam is a huge Red Sox fan and has been following the team his whole life and he's spent the last few years covering their farm system. Follow him on Twitter at @aj_greene1015 and Instagram at the same handle.

Scott Greene

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 by day. Huge Bruce Springsteen and pro wrestling fan. Along with his wife and two boys, lives in Longmeadow, MA. Follow on Twitter at @Scotty_Ballgame.

Greg Bracken

Greg covers the Toronto Blue Jays organization for Prospects1500. Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, a long-suffering fan of both the Blue Jays and the Toronto Maple Leafs. For more than 15 years now a participant/commish in many dynasty baseball leagues, all with extremely deep minor league rosters. Follow on X @gregbracken07.

Jeremy Mahy

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 @_JMahy_ for more baseball content.

"Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good, too." -Yogi Berra

Prospect Larceny

Shaun Kernahan

Shaun Kernahan is the MLB Draft correspondent for Prospects1500 and the founder of Three Quarter Slot, an independent national baseball scouting publication covering Draft prospects, minor leaguers, and international players. When not at a game, chances are the TV and/or tablet has a game on and he has a notepad out taking notes. Shaun can be found on Twitter at @ShaunKernahan.

Tony Bps

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.

J.W. Mulpas

J.W. resides in Northeast Ohio and is a lifelong Cleveland sports fan. His favorite baseball player of all-time is 2018 Hall of Fame inductee, Jim Thome. He enjoys playing Fantasy Baseball, especially dynasty leagues. He has been a contributor to Prospects1500 since January 2025. You can follow J.W. on X at @CLEBoxscoreBeat.