Here's where to watch Bucs' top prospects in 2024
Alex Stumpf
@AlexJStumpfThe Pirates’ farm system finds itself in a bit of a transitory spot this year. Last season, Henry Davis, Endy Rodríguez, Nick Gonzales, Liover Peguero, Jared Triolo, Luis Ortiz and Quinn Priester all shed their prospect status, and with the exception of the injured Rodríguez, all should contribute to the Major League team this year.
As a result, the Pirates dropped from the No. 2 farm system during MLB Pipeline’s 2023 midseason update to No. 9 this spring. Don’t misconstrue that drop in the power rankings: Graduating prospects to big leaguers is the best way for a farm system to drop in the rankings. There are still some high-upside players and some depth with this group, especially on the pitching side, where the Pirates are the only team to have four top 100 pitchers.
The Pirates have been open that they need to keep producing Major League talent through their farm system to be competitive long-term. These players are worth keeping an eye on in 2024 and potentially beyond.
TRIPLE-A INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS
Player to watch: OF/1B Matt Gorski (not ranked)
Gorski’s 2022 put him on the Major League radar when he clubbed 24 homers and stole 21 bases, and while he did have another 20-20 season last year, his OPS dropped from .956 to .725. Now 26 years old, this is a pivotal season for his career.
Pitcher to watch: RHP Paul Skenes (No.1 prospect)
Is there really any other answer here? The 2023 first-overall Draft pick, who dominated in his Triple-A debut, will get the call to the Majors at some point this season, and there are going to be plenty of eyes on him every time he takes the ball for the Indians.
DOUBLE-A ALTOONA CURVE
Opening Day: Friday at Akron RubberDucks, 7:05 p.m. ET
Player to watch: INF Tsung-Che Cheng (No. 9 prospect)
Cheng had his contract selected by the Pirates this winter, and while he isn’t quite ready for the show yet, he can be a contributor in the near future. Speed may be this prospects’ best tool, as evidenced by his 26 steals and 10 triples last season.
Pitcher to watch: RHP Bubba Chandler (No. 5 prospect)
Chandler went 7-1 with a 1.66 ERA in his nine starts after the All-Star break last year. If he can show that his improved routine and mentality are repeatable, the No. 90 overall MLB prospect could climb even higher on the Top 100 list.
HIGH-A GREENSBORO GRASSHOPPERS
Opening Day: Friday vs. Greenville Drive, 6:35 p.m. ET
Player to watch: 2B Termarr Johnson (No. 2 prospect)
The No. 42 prospect in all of baseball more than held his own playing in Major League Spring Training this year. And unlike last year, he is breaking camp fully healthy.
Pitcher to watch: RHP Thomas Harrington (No. 6 prospect)
Harrington’s spring was cut a little short due to an injury to the posterior rotator cuff, but the expectation is he will be ready to get back into action sooner rather than later. When he does return to the mound, the 2022 Competitive Balance Round-A pick boasts one of the best sweeping sliders in the system.
Other Top 30 prospects on roster: SS/3B Jack Brannigan (No. 10 prospect), OF Lonnie White Jr. (No. 12), OF Tres Gonzales (No. 28)
SINGLE-A BRADENTON MARAUDERS
Opening Day: Friday vs. Clearwater Threshers, 6:30 p.m. ET
Player to watch: SS Yordany De Los Santos
One of the Pirates’ big international signings in 2022, De Los Santos has solid baseball instincts and a good all around tool set. He’ll return to Bradenton at just 19 years old.
Pitcher to watch: LHP Hunter Barco
Barco only has 7 2/3 professional innings under his belt due to his Tommy John surgery recovery, but if his Spring Breakout performance is an indicator of things to come, the 2022 second-rounder could make up for lost time.