With one winning season since 2015 and just three postseason appearances since losing three straight championship series matchups 1990-1992, the Pittsburgh Pirates are the definition of a rudderless dinghy.
They’re not without young talent, however, with Ke’Bryan Hayes, Oneil Cruz, and Bryan Reynolds holding up an otherwise drab roster.
Might the farm system provide impact assistance soon?
Ages as of July 1, 2023
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 1 | 23 | Endy Rodriguez | C/OF | 55 |
Rodriguez is a capable switch hitter with zone feel, above-average speed and a chance to play multiple impact positions
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 2 | 21 | Termarr Johnson | 2B | 55 |
Johnson’s short path, bat speed, and shot to play second base make him one of the more unique prospects in the the game.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 3 | 23 | Henry Davis | C | 55 |
Armed with plus power and a cannona rm, Davis profiles as a bat-first catcher, but one with all-star upside.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 4 | 22 | Quinn Priester | RHP | 55 |
Priester doesn’t throw hard, but his curveball is plus and he commands four pitches to all edges of the zone.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 5 | 24 | Nick Gonzales | 2B | 50 |
There’s no true lead tool here if Gonzales’ two-year contact rates in pro ball ring true (27%) for the long haul.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 6 | 20 | Bubba Chandler | RHP | 50 |
A two-way prospect now focused on pitching, Chandler offers athleticism and projectable velocity and command.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 7 | 20 | Anthony Solometo | LHP | 50 |
Solometo is mostly projection right now, but flashes plus command and a chance at a swing-and-miss slider.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 8 | 24 | Luis Ortiz | RHP | 45 |
Ortiz has big raw stuff, but is likely headed for the bullpen without more strikes and a better third pitch.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 9 | 21 | Thomas Harrington | RHP | 45 |
Harrington can touch the mid-90s with three viable offspeed pitches, including a plus changeup.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
| 10 | 22 | Liover Peguero | SS | 45 |
Known more for contact than power, Peguero has flashed average pop and brings impact speed as a good-enough defender at short.
| RANK | AGE | PLAYER | POS | OFP |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11 | 23 | Michael Burrows | RHP | 45 |
| 12 | 22 | Hunter Barco | RHP | 45 |
| 13 | 21 | Jared Jones | RHP | 45 |
| 14 | 24 | Kyle Nicolas | RHP | 40 |
| 15 | 20 | Lonnie White Jr. | OF | 40 |
| 16 | 25 | Jared Triolo | 3B | 40 |
| 17 | 25 | Travis Swaggerty | OF | 40 |
| 18 | 24 | Canaan Smith-Njigba | OF | 40 |
| 19 | 22 | Malcom Nunez | 3B | 35 |
| 20 | 23 | Ji Hwan Bae | 2B/OF | 35 |
| 21 | 24 | Carmen Mlodzinski | RHP | 35 |
| 22 | 25 | Matt Fraizer | OF | 35 |
| 23 | 19 | Jun-Seok Shim | RHP | 35 |
| 24 | 21 | Dariel Lopez | 3B | 35 |
| 25 | 22 | Tres Gonzalez | OF | 35 |
| 26 | 25 | Matt Gorski | OF | 35 |
| 27 | 22 | Hudson Head | OF | 35 |
| 28 | 24 | Ryan Vilade | OF | 35 |
| 29 | 17 | Raymond Mola | OF | 35 |
| 30 | 21 | Po-Yu Chen | RHP | 35 |
Rankings, OFPs by Joe Doyle.
Player notes by Jason A. Churchill.
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