The Pittsburgh Pirates are in the middle of a rebuild, especially after trading Starling Marte to the Diamondbacks prior to the 2020 season. Ben Cherington is beginning his second year as the Pirates’ general manager and his trades and picks in the draft have really helped this system. They have put together a great core of infield prospects (Hayes, Gonzales, Peguero) to go along with an intriguing group of pitchers (Preister, Thomas, Bolton). They locked up the first pick in the upcoming draft and (by the looks of their current roster) should have the first pick in the next year’s draft as well. While this group is still a few years away, Pirates fans should be excited for the future of the team.
Note: These Top 50 lists are all done through a fantasy baseball-focused lens. Many players who are ranked higher or lower on other platforms will get a boost here. For example, players who profile as middle relievers or glove-first infielders likely won’t have much fantasy relevance, so they won’t be ranked as highly.
1. Ke’Bryan Hayes, 3B
Age: 23
Highest Level: MLB
Even though he only played a month in the major leagues, Hayes’ 2020 season really turned heads. He has been ready for the show defensively for years but the power and poise were great to see. Ever since he was drafted back in 2015, scouts and evaluators were wondering if the power would ever materialize. To his credit, his average fly ball distance had increased each season, even with a thumb injury that caused him to miss games in 2019. While I don’t think we will see 30+ home runs from him, his contact ability and elite defense should keep him in the lineup pretty much every day.
ETA: Debuted
2. Nick Gonzales, 2B
Age: 21
Highest Level: Drafted in 2020
The 2020 draft class was filled with great hitters and number three on that list was Nick Gonzales. He busted on the national radar after hitting .432/.532/.773 as a sophomore and then back it up in the Cape Cod League, where he won the league’s MVP award. He has above-average power, especially for someone his size. His swing and his ability to get the barrel on the ball is great and he should be able to hit 20 plus in his prime. He is also an above-average runner with great base running acumen, so I could also see double-digit stolen bases as well. While he played shortstop during his final year at school, he will probably shift over to second base as he moves up the levels.
ETA: 2022
3. Travis Swaggerty, OF
Age: 23
Highest Level: High-A
Travis Swaggerty brings that coveted power/speed combination that we as fantasy managers crave. His swing is very short but has a surprising amount of pop even taking in his smaller stature. He gets a boost in OBP leagues due to his advanced, patient approach at the plate. He still has some work to do on making contact as his strikeouts have begun to increase. Maybe he is focusing a bit too much on power? Even with those flaws, Swaggerty’s above-average defense should keep him in center field, as well as many games, so he could be one of those ‘compilers’.
ETA: 2022
4. Liover Peguero, SS
Age: 19
Highest Level: Low-A
The Pirates are in a rebuild mode and moved a cornerstone of their team, Starling Marte, to the Diamondbacks for Brennan Malone and Liover Peguero, who could be their shortstop of the future. Peguero has an above-average hit tool and speed with average power. He made it to Low-A at only 19 years old and performed well. While he still puts a bunch of balls on to the ground, he doesn’t strike out too much and his speed on the base paths means his BABIPs and batting averages should be above league average.
5. Quinn Priester, RHP
Age: 20
Highest Level: Low-A
Quinn Priester was easily the best prep pitcher in the 2019 draft class before the Pirates took him 18th overall. His three-pitch mix is pretty advanced for someone who didn’t have a dedicated pitching coach in high school and learned most of his mechanics from YouTube. With a super smooth delivery, Priester’s fastball sits in the mid-nineties and can be thrown consistently for strikes. His curveball has great movement and generates many swings and misses and he is working on a changeup. Priester has the perfect combination of stuff and command and looks like he could be a front line starter for the Pirates for years to come.
ETA: 2024
6. Oneil Cruz, SS
Age: 22
Highest Level: Double-A
Oneil Cruz was the hardest prospect for me to rank on this list. The talent, especially the power, is almost as huge as he is (he is 6’7″ by the way). He made it all the way to Double-A by the age of 20! However, there was some off the field issues that ended tragically. That being said, Cruz easily has plus-plus power that he can easily get to in games. He has made strides at the plate by cutting his swing and miss to league average. Cruz is super athletic and is surprisingly fast for someone that tall. He currently is playing short but I could see him moving to RF by the time makes it to PNC Park.
ETA: 2022
7. Jared Oliva, OF
Age: 25
Highest Level: MLB
Oliva has continued to improve and move up the prospect ranks since he was drafted in the seventh round in 2017. He has moved up a level each year, finishing 2019 in Double-A, and made his major league debut this past season. Oliva brings above-average speed and superb baserunning acumen which should translate to double-digit steals once he gets full-time playing time in the majors. While over the fence power is not really his game, he should be able to rack up a bunch of doubles off the left-field wall in PNC Park. He is a bit on the older side but should see much more playing time during the 2021 season.
ETA: 2020
8. Tahnaj Thomas, RHP
Age: 21
Highest Level: Rookie
Tahnaj Thomas is one of those electric pitching prospects that could be a future ace. He also could end up in the bullpen. He came into the Pirates system in the Jordan Luplow/Max Moreoff deal before the 2019 season. He doesn’t have many innings on his arm as he was signed out of the Bahamas as a shortstop but Cleveland quickly moved him to the mound. He made a slight mechanical change after the trade which added more velocity and better control. #Winning Thomas’ best pitch is easily his plus fastball, which was sitting in the mid-nineties towards the end of 2019. His slider is a true swing and miss offering but he still has some work to do to refine the pitch. If he adds another pitch, like a changeup, watch out! If not, Thomas has the makings of being a dominant reliever out of the pen. He is super young and there is plenty of time for him to become a starter though.
ETA: 2024
9. Brennan Malone, RHP
Age: 20
Highest Level: Low-A
Malone, just like Priester, was an excellent prep pitcher and built a strong case at ING Academy where the Diamondbacks selected him 33rd overall in 2019. He didn’t pitch all that much after being drafted before he was traded to Pittsburgh, along with Liover Peguero, for Starling Marte. Malone fastball sits in the low to mid-nineties with a plus slider that has a bunch of late-life to it. He still has some work to do with his curve and change but I have faith he will improve them, especially with his work ethic. Again, just like Priester, he brings power and command and looks like a bonafide starter for years to come.
ETA: 2024
10. Cody Bolton, RHP
Age: 22
Highest Level: Double-A
Cody Bolton moved up prospect lists after an outstanding 2019 season. He was drafted in the sixth round and received an over-slot bonus in 2017 and a forearm injury (and platelet-rich injection) cost him most of his 2018 season. However, he stayed relatively healthy during 2019 and he also saw an uptick in velocity. His four-seam fastball sits in the mid-nineties which he pairs with an above-average two-seamer that he throws for strikes consistently. He is still refining his secondary offerings as well as limiting the long ball. He was added to the Taxi Squad this summer so there is a possibility for him to debut in 2021.
ETA: 2021
11. Mason Martin, 1B
Age: 21
Highest Level: Double-A
Mason Martin has done pretty well for being a seventeenth round draft pick in 2017. His power exploded in 2019 as he hit 35 home runs between Low-A and Double-A and we also saw his pull% increase to a career-high 53%. Martin has been a patient hitter throughout his career, posting double-digits at each stop, but his strikeout rates are very concerning. It is not often that you see a player with above 15 Swstk% in the lower levels succeed in the major leagues. Also dinging his potential is that he is already a first baseman and guys like that need to continue to hit. I am afraid that Martin will not have the hit tool to make it but if he does, there will be 30 plus home run totals in his future.
ETA: 2022
12. Ji-Hwan Bae, SS
Age: 21
Highest Level: Low-A
After his initial signing with the Atlanta Braves was voided during the 2017 International Signing scandal that cost John Coppolella his career in baseball, Bae signed with the Pirates. Bae is a contact-oriented hitter which is mostly on the ground to the opposite field. He is an above-average runner so he should be able to post great batting averages throughout his career. He has little power and is still looking for his first professional home run. He missed some time during the 2019 season because he was serving a suspension for assaulting his girlfriend. He is an okay defender and played more second base in 2019, and it could be his future home. He appears to be the next ‘Adam Fraizer’ and that has value in deeper leagues.
ETA: 2023
13. Carmen Mlodzinski, RHP
Age: 21
Highest Level: Drafted in 2020
A few injuries limited Mlodzinski’s career at South Carolina, but luckily none were for an elbow or shoulder. He was a draft-eligible sophomore and after performing well during the 2019 Cape Cod league he ranked highly on many team’s draft boards. The Pirates selected him with the 31st overall pick this past summer. Mlodzinski has a sinking fastball that sits in the mid-nineties which generates a bunch of groundballs but not a true strikeout pitch. His slider and cutter have flashed above-average but he has more work to do for them to be a more consistent offering. His mechanics are solid and at 6’2″, 213 pounds he could be an inning eater type.
ETA: 2023
14. Jack Herman, OF
Age: 21
Highest Level: Low-A
Usually, prep-hitters drafted in the 30th round do not sign but Jack Herman likes to do things differently. He started his professional career in the Gulf Coast League and performed well. In 37 games, he walked almost as much as he struck out and slashed .340/.435/.489. He was quickly moved to Low-A and his inexperience began to show. Even as his average dropped, he still put up a 134 wRC+. Herman has a smooth swing with quick hands which he uses to get to his above-average power. He profiles as a corner outfielder, most likely in right field due to his cannon of an arm.
ETA: 2023
15. Sammy Siani, OF
Age: 20
Highest Level: Rookie
The Pirates selected Pennslyvania native, Sammy Siani with the 37th overall pick in the 2019 draft. The Cincinnati Reds selected his older brother, Mike, a year before. Unlike his brother, Sammy has a profile that is more power-oriented than elite defense. Sammy Siani is a solid player but lacks a true standout tool. That being said, he just does everything well. His mechanics are buttery smooth and he can easily get to his above-average power. It is still up in the air where Siani fits in on the grass, but I could see him moving to left field. Siani is a ball of clay player at the moment and there are numerous ways his career could track.
ETA: 2024
16. Jared Jones, RHP
Age: 18
Highest Level: Drafted in 2020
A two-way player in high school, Jones has exclusively moved to the mound after being drafted by the Pirates in the second round this past summer. Jones’ fastball sits in the mid-nineties and flashes an above-average slider. He has improved his command and control throughout his time at school but some scouts ‘fear’ his size and mechanics might move him to the bullpen. Jason Mackey of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette had an excellent interview with Jones during his time at Fall Instructs. Jones has made great strides and now is in a professional organization that can help him even more. The next couple of years are key and will determine if he is a starter or reliever long-term.
ETA: 2025
17. Nick Garcia, RHP
Age: 21
Highest Level: Drafted in 2020
The sky is the limit with Nick Garcia who the Pirates selected 79th overall this past summer. Garcia began his college career at third base before moving to the mound during his sophomore year at Chapman, a D-III school. He was the school’s closer during their 2019 championship run and moved to the starting rotation before the season was cut short this spring. His mechanics are smooth and easy which helps him get his fastball up to 98 MPH. He also has an above-average slider and cutter that hover in the mid to upper eighties. Not bad for an ex-third baseman. Even with the lack of track record of starting, the Pirates will give him every opportunity to do so.
ETA: 2023
18. Jasiah Dixon, OF
Age: 19
Highest Level: Rookie
The Pirates was able to pry Dixon away from the commitment to Southern California during the 2019 draft. Dixon, easily, is a double-plus runner with the arm to stick in center field. After being draft he slashed .329/.417/.425 with eight stolen bases, which is pretty good for a prep player whose biggest question mark was his hit tool. It will be interesting to see how well the Pirates can develop the bat because the speed and defense could be the best in the system.
ETA: 2023
19. Wil Crowe, RHP
Age: 26
Highest Level: Debuted
The Nationals like to target college pitchers in the draft so it wasn’t surprising to see Wil Crowe drafted in the second round of 2017 out of South Carolina. Crowe’s fastball sits in the mid-nineties with a slider, curveball, and show-me changeup. He projects to be a back of the rotation, innings-eater type. He made his debut this past season and struggled but should get plenty of time in the more pitcher-friendly PNC park.
ETA: 2021
20. Cal Mitchell, OF
Age: 21
Highest Level: High-A
Cal Mitchell is just on the edge of becoming an everyday player but has to work on his approach. He has average to slightly above-average power but has ‘fallen in love’ with trying to get to it in games that his strikeout rates have ballooned. Watching video of his swing, I have fallen in love with his mechanics and hope he can get back to his high school days and hitting the ball to all fields. If he can, watch out as he will move up lists quickly and if he can not, he might just be org depth.
ETA: 2022
21. Alexander Mojica, 3B
Age: 18
Highest Level: DSL
Alexander Mojica was one of the youngest players signed during the 2018 J2 signing period but that did not stop him from being one of the league’s best hitters. Mojica slashed .351/.468/.580 and walked more than he struck out. He currently plays third but will have to move to first base at some point due to his size and lack of mobility. Mojica’s swing mechanics are smooth and he uses his lower half to get to his above-average power. He is still young and very risky but there is a chance it all comes together for an enticing power-hitting player.
ETA: 2024
22. Eddy Yean, RHP
Age: 19
Highest Level: Low-A
After being signed by the Washington Nationals in 2017, Yean has added some good weight along with a few ticks on his fastball. The sinker is now sitting consistently in the mid-nineties and has touched the upper nineties during fall instructs. He also has a changeup and slider, the latter being the better at present but needs to work commanding all of his pitches. He came to Pittsburgh this offseason in the Josh Bell trade and should begin the season in High-A.
ETA: 2023
23. Lolo Sanchez, OF
Age: 21
Highest Level: High-A
After being one of the most highly sought after J2 draftees in 2015, Sanchez has not lived up to the hype. His biggest fault is that he never hit like scouts thought he would. Don’t get me wrong, Sanchez makes a bunch of contact and does not strike out often, but all contact is not good contact. Sanchez is extremely aggressive at the plate and hits a bunch of groundball or IFFB, which are just easy outs. He does, however, play above-average defense and his plus speed has not disappointed. Sanchez, as well as the Pirates development team, has a bunch of work to do if he wants to make it out of the minor leagues.
ETA: 2022
24. Braxton Ashcraft, RHP
Age: 21
Highest Level: Low-A
Braxton Ashcroft was hitting the mid-nineties in high school which lead the Pirates to selected him in the second round of the 2018 draft. Sadly, his velocity declined to the high eighties after the draft and he has struggled with command and high ERAs. With how tall he is, 6’5″, I’m unsure if he ever gets a handle on his control. He should begin the 2021 season in High-A and still has a long way to go.
ETA: 2023
25. Rodolfo Castro, 2B
Age: 21
Highest Level: High-A
Castro has shown above-average power, especially for a middle infielder, during his time with the Pirates. He has an aggressive approach and has struggled when moving to more advanced competition. If he can continue to improve in making contact, he could be an interesting source of power at second base.
ETA: 2022
26. Nick Mears, RHP
Age: 24
Highest Level: MLB
It is pretty cool that Nick Mears went from an unsigned free agent to the major leagues in two years. Since he was signed, he has added weight and velocity to his fastball, which now sits in the mid-nineties. He spent all of August with the big league club and held his own, especially for someone making their debut during this crazy year. I’m doubtful if he can make it to higher leverage situations but crazier things have happened.
ETA: 2020
27. Max Kranick, RHP
Age: 23
Highest Level: High-A
Not only did Kranick change up his pitch mix in 2019 but also picked up a few ticks of velocity. He ditched the curve and picked up a slider but he still lacks an overall feel for the pitch. He still relies heavily on his fastball, which makes sense since it is easily his best offering. He will have to make some huge gains on his secondary pitches if he is to remain a starter. The fastball-heavy approach could play up in the bullpen.
ETA: 2023
28. Matt Gorski, RF
Age: 23
Highest Level: Low-A
Matt Gorski put together a couple of good seasons at Indiana before the Pirates selected him in the second round of the 2019 draft. Even with him being a college bat, he still is extremely raw and has a lot of development, especially with his swing and swing mechanics. That being said, he has shown flashes in school and at the Cape which shows the talent is in there but just a long way to go
ETA: 2023
29. Kevin Kramer, 2B
Age: 27
Highest Level: MLB
Kevin Kramer was a hit first prospect with little power and speed that performed well throughout his time in the Pirates minor league system. He has gotten a couple of cups of espresso in the majors but never could put it together. He had hip surgery in March, was placed on the IL, and then reassigned to Triple-A. He has performed well in the minors and couple be a bench option in the future.
ETA: 2020
30. Steven Jennings, RHP
Age: 22
Highest Level: High-A
Jennings was a two-sport star in Tennessee before he was drafted by the Pirates in the second round in 2017. He did not pitch much in 2017 and a fractured rib cost him most of the 2018 season. Even with all of that, he still made it up to High-A and threw 130 innings. He has increased his strikeout rate while decreasing his walk rate each year but was really hurt by the home runs in 2019. His fastball currently sits in the high-eighties to low-nineties and he will have to pump that up for it to play at the major league level.
ETA: 2023
31. Santiago Florez, RHP
Age: 20
Highest Level: Rookie
Florez signed with the Pirates during the 2016 J2 signing period and he has moved a level at a time since then, finishing the 2019 season in the Appy League. At 6’5″, 220 lbs, Florez is a big dude and his size will give him control issues but also, big-time velocity. He added a couple of ticks since his signing and is consistently hitting the mid to upper nineties with his heater. He will have to work on his secondaries along with his control if he is to remain a starter. I could see a move to the bullpen which should fast track his path to the majors.
ETA: 2023
32. Travis MacGregor, RHP
Age: 23
Highest Level: Low-A
After being selected in the second round of the 2016 draft, MacGregor was finally starting to put it all together in Low-A before landing on the IL and then operating room for TJS. Because he had the surgery late in the year, he missed the entire 2019 season. Now, it has been two full years since we have seen him get on the mound and that would hurt anyone’s development. At this point, MacGregor is a wild card. If he can pick back up where he left off, there is a mid-rotation ceiling.
ETA: 2023
33. Jose Soriano, RHP
Age: 22
Highest Level: Low-A
Jose Soriano made his way to the East Coast after the Pirates selected him in the Rule 5 draft this winter. Soriano had TJS in February 2020, so we might not see him until the middle of 2021. That being said, Soriano has a fastball that reaches the upper-nineties, a curveball with a bunch of shape and spin that sits in the mid-eighties, and a show-me changeup. There is still work to do on his command but an excellent player to take a gamble on.
ETA: 2021
34. Jared Triolo, 3B
Age: 22
Highest Level: Rookie
Triolo hit well in college which lead the Pirates to select him in the second round of the 2019 draft. While in school, he was showing the ability to hit the ball to all fields but his power is more doubles than over the fence. He struggled in his first taste of professional ball but has the makings of being a pretty good super-utility player.
ETA: 2023
35. Blake Cederlind, RHP
Age: 24
Highest Level: MLB
Easily the best fastball in the system, Cederlind’s velocity ticked up in 2018 and now sits in the upper-nineties. As with most power relievers, he has trouble with his command but cut down on the walks in 2018 in Double-A. If he can harness that, we are looking at a future closer.
ETA: 2021
36. Stephen Alemais, SS
Age: 25
Highest Level: Double-A
During his time with the Pirates, Alemais was known more for his defensive plays at shortstop than his bat. He moved over to second base in Double-A when he played with Cole Tucker but could easily move back. He dealt with a shoulder injury most of 2019 but is playing winter ball this year. He could fill in as a defensive replacement or bench option.
ETA: 2022
37. Noe Toribio, RHP
Age: 21
Highest Level: Low-A
Since signing with the Pirates during the J2 signing period in 2016, Toribio has moved up a level each year, ending in Low-A in 2019. Toribio is a control-over-stuff kind of pitcher. His fastball hits the upper nineties but he also has two average secondaries. While he will never rack up the strikeouts, he has been able to get induce a massive amount of groundballs and could make an interesting reliever at some point.
ETA: 2023
38. Michael Burrows, RHP
Age: 21
Highest Level: Low-A
Burrows has added a bit of velocity and arm strength since being drafted in the eleventh round back in 2018. His fastball now sits in the low nineties. It was great to see his strikeouts jump up above 20 K% but with that, his walks jumped up as well. His fastball and curveball have some pretty high spin rates and both of those offerings could play up in a bullpen role.
ETA: 2023
39. Shendrik Apostel, 3B
Age: 20
Highest Level: Rookie
Shendrik Apostel the younger brother of Sherten Apostel in the Texas Rangers system is actually bigger than he is. Shendrik is 6’5″, 245 pounds, and has put up some pretty impressive power numbers while playing in the DSL. Due to his size, he will have to play first or DH so the road to the majors will not be easy. That being said, he decreased his strikeouts and increased his walks during 2019.
ETA: 2023
40. Rodolfo Nolasco, OF
Age: 19
Highest Level: Rookie
Rodolfo Nolasco posted some pretty impressive numbers during his first taste of professional ball. He slashed .302/.373/.472 with a 133 wRC+. He also started to add some good weight to his frame and I could see his power production creep up even more in 2021. He still has some work to do on his plate discipline but I would take a gamble on a younger outfielder like this.
ETA: 2023
41. Yerry De Los Santos, RHP
Age: 23
Highest Level:
Injuries have really derailed Yerry De Los Santo’s career so far. After only pitching 27 innings between 2017 and 2018, he threw 50 innings in Low-A and totally dominated the competition. Due to his age, the Pirates will have to fast-track him through the minors, and I could see him begin the year in Double-A. If he can continue to harness the command of his fastball/slider combination, he could be an interesting bullpen guy.
ETA: 2021
42. Colin Selby, RHP
Age: 23
Highest Level: Low-A
Since being drafted in the 16th round, Selby has just consistently thrown strikes. In 88 innings back in 2019, Selby had a 2.97 ERA, 3.74 FIP, and a 16.3 K:BB% which is pretty promising. His fastball sits in the mid-nineties that he pairs with a pretty decent slider. He is a bit of a fly ball pitcher, which could hurt him as he moves up the ranks. I could see Selby begin the season at High-A and finish the season in Double-A if he continues to post excellent numbers.
ETA: 2023
43. Jauri Custodio, OF
Age: 19
Highest Level: Rookie
Jauri Custodio is an undersized outfielder that has an amazing ability to put the bat on the baseball. In his first 53 games of professional ball, he slashed .324/.358/.448 with four home runs and 15 stolen bases. He is very aggressive at the plate (4 BB%) but doesn’t strike out (8 K%). It will be interesting to see how he performs in 2021.
ETA: 2023
44. Deion Walker, OF
Age: 19
Highest Level: Rookie
After being selected in the 35th round, Deion Walker impressed during his first taste of professional ball. He slashed .270/.329/.459 and showed a surprising amount of power for such a tall and skinny frame (He is 6’4″ 180 pounds). However, even with that production, he had a 32.6 SwStk% which is unsustainable when he faces stronger competition. Walker is a wild card but an interesting wild card for sure.
ETA: 2023
45. Cameron Junker, RHP
Age: 23
Highest Level: Low-A
Cameron Junker, moved from the bullpen to the starting rotation during his junior year at Notre Dame. In a surprising move, his lack of control as a reliever improved with the move. After the Pirates drafted him in the 10th round, they moved him back to the bullpen and he performed well in Low-A. In 28 innings, he had a 1.29 ERA, .86 WHIP, and 43.3 K%. He should be a quick mover in the Pirates system with his fastball/slider combination.
ETA: 2023
46. Aaron Shortridge, RHP
Age: 23
Highest Level: High-A
Shortridge, just like Junker, transitioned from the bullpen to the starting rotation at California before the Pirates selected him in the fourth round of the 2018 draft. Shortridge has a three-pitch mix; low to mid-nineties fastball, mid-eighties changeup, and low-eighties slider. He brings plus control and is an inning-eater type. Because of his history of working in the pen, I could see him moving back there as a long-man type.
ETA: 2022
47. Osvaldo Bido, RHP
Age: 25
Highest Level: High-A
He did not sign with the Pirates until he was 21 years old but even with the later starter, Bido has performed well. His fastball sits in the mid-nineties and he pairs a high-eighties cutter with it. He has been able to limit home runs but his biggest issue has been his inability to throw consistent strikes. He should begin the season in High-A with a pretty quick promotion to Double-A. He is eligible for the Rule 5 draft and while he was not selected this year, he could easily be snatched next year.
ETA: 2022
48. Sergio Umana, RHP
Age: 20
Highest Level: Rookie
Sergio Umana performed well in the DSL in 2019. The 6’0″ righty struck out 59 batters, with only eight walks, in 64 innings. His fastball is currently in the low-nineties but he should be able to add a few more ticks as he gets older. It is pretty impressive to see this level of control for someone so young.
ETA: 2024
49. Juan Jerez, 2B
Age: 19
Highest Level: Rookie
Juan Jerez has the potential to be an average to slightly above-average hitter but he still has some work to do. A 32.5 SwStk% in his first 60 games is not great and something he will have to cut down on if he is to make it to the major leagues.
ETA: 2024
50. Valentin Linarez, RHP
Age: 20
Highest Level: Rookie
Valentin Linarez really broke out in 2019. He improved his strikeout rate by 9 percentage points and dropping his walk rate by 6 percentage points and not giving up a single home run in 55 innings. Linarez is a big guy (6’5″, 226) with a three-pitch mix. There is some potential here and he has the chance to quickly rise through the system with his stuff and control.
ETA: 2023
51. Blake Weiman, LHP
Age: 25
Highest Level: AAA
Weiman is close to the majors and throws a ton of strikes. He is really tall (6’5″) but doesn’t throw extremely hard (fastball sits in the high-eighties to low nineties). He should fit nicely in the Pirates bullpen at some point in the 2021 season.
ETA: 2021
52. Sergio Campana, OF
Age: 18
Highest Level: Rookie
Campana is a true 80-grade runner with the ability to make contact. If he can continue to put the bat on the ball, there is some sneaky stolen bases upside but he has a long way to go.
ETA: 2024
Photo by Cliff Welch/Icon Sportswire | Adapted by Ethan Kaplan (@DJFreddie10 on Twitter)
Awesome work thanks for the info does give us pirate fans some hope if ownership doesn’t screw it up