With the Minor League season kicking off, here's where the Pirates’ Top 30 Prospects are projected to start:
- Konnor Griffin (MLB No. 1), SS -- Indianapolis (Triple-A)
- Bubba Chandler (MLB No. 9), RHP -- Pittsburgh (MLB)
- Seth Hernandez (MLB No. 27), RHP -- Bradenton (Single-A)
- Edward Florentino (MLB No. 48), OF -- Injured (ankle)
- Hunter Barco (MLB No. 93), LHP -- Pittsburgh (MLB)
- Jhostynxon Garcia, OF -- Indianapolis (Triple-A)
- Termarr Johnson, 2B -- Indianapolis (Triple-A)
- Wyatt Sanford, SS -- Greensboro (High-A)
- Antwone Kelly, RHP -- Indianapolis (Triple-A)
- Rafael Flores Jr., C -- Indianapolis (Triple-A)
- Esmerlyn Valdez, OF -- Indianapolis (Triple-A)
- Sammy Stafura, SS -- Injured (elbow)
- Wilber Dotel, RHP -- Indianapolis (Triple-A)
- Thomas Harrington, RHP -- Indianapolis (Triple-A)
- Levi Sterling, RHP -- Bradenton (Single-A)
- Omar Alfonzo, C -- Altoona (Double-A)
- Darell Morel, SS -- Extended spring training
- Easton Carmichael, C -- Greensboro (High-A)
- Murf Gray, 3B -- Bradenton (Single-A)
- Yordany De Los Santos, INF -- Greensboro (High-A)
- Axiel Plaz, C/1B -- Greensboro (High-A)
- Edgleen Perez, C/1B -- Bradenton (Single-A)
- Khristian Curtis, RHP -- Altoona (Double-A)
- Jack Brannigan, SS/3B -- Injured (facial fracture)
- Zander Mueth, RHP -- Bradenton (Single-A)
- Reinold Navarro, LHP -- Bradenton (Single-A)
- Jeter Martinez, RHP -- Bradenton (Single-A)
- Duce Gourson, INF -- Altoona (Double-A)
- Tony Blanco Jr., 1B -- Greensboro (High-A)
- Callan Moss, 1B -- Altoona (Double-A)
COMPLETE PIRATES PROSPECT COVERAGE
Team to watch
Any organization that relies on its farm system wants to see a pool of talent forming at the highest level. That kind of competitive logjam is good for the franchise, giving the big league team options for help, something to push the big leaguers and -- if all goes well -- pieces that can be traded away to help a competitive big league squad. So there’s no doubt the Pirates are thrilled they have eight Top 30 guys with Triple-A Indianapolis. It all starts with the top prospect in baseball, of course, with Konnor Griffin already back to showing off all of his tools. All eight of those baby Bucs are in the top half of this list, with six in the top 10.
Players we could see in MLB in 2026
Hmmm, who should we highlight here? Even though he didn’t make the club out of Spring Training, it’s pretty safe to say we’re asking when, not if, Griffin makes his big league debut in 2026. We even discussed the when on this week’s MLB Pipeline Podcast, with some agreement that it could be by some point in June. Both “The Password,” Jhostynxon Garcia, who saw big league time in 2025, and Esmerlyn Valdez, could provide some power for the big league club at some point as well.
New faces
Seth Hernandez might have wowed with his inning in the Spring Breakout Game, when he kicked things off with a pitch north of 102 mph. But he’ll make his official debut with Bradenton on Thursday. Fellow draftee Murf Gray, taken in Competitive Balance Round B out of Fresno State, also didn’t play last summer after signing and could very well play behind Hernandez at third base for the Marauders.
On the shelf
Edward Florentino was a breakout prospect who shot up to the middle of the Top 100 to start the year. He was slowed by an ankle injury early in Spring Training, which not only kept him out of the Spring Breakout game, but will keep him from starting the year on a roster. He’s not too far off and it should be exciting to see what he can do in hitter-friendly Greensboro. Sammy Stafura is also ramping up with an elbow issue that slowed him in camp, while Jack Brannigan is recovering from a facial fracture.
How to watch
Fans can watch Minor League Baseball games for free on the Bally Sports Live app or at BallySports.com. Fans may also purchase an MLB+ subscription, which includes access to MiLB games live and on demand, in addition to live MLB audio for all 30 teams, MLB Network and MLB Big Inning. Plus -- with or without a subscription -- Minor League games featuring MLB's top prospects are available in the MiLB Free Game of the Day.