You might not have noticed, but Konnor Griffin is creating some buzz this spring. Whether he breaks camp with the big league team or joins it later this year, it's been fun to see his tools on display right out of the gate in Grapefruit League play.
If the Pirates' Top 30 list, and system overall, only had Griffin to talk about, it would still be exciting. But what's really encouraging for the organization is that there's more, much more. A lot more people would be talking about the Bubba Chandler-Seth Hernandez combination as the best pitching prospect tandem in the game. And Edward Florentino was one of the most exciting breakout performers in the Minors in 2025. And ... and ... and.
Hope among Pittsburgh baseball fans can be hard to find, but there are signs this year and the farm system has a lot to do with it. Not only is there high-end talent ready to contribute this year -- three of the top five should see plenty of time in Pittsburgh -- but things are starting to stack up with talent at all levels, something absolutely essential for a team like the Pirates to have any kind of continued success at the big league level.
COMPLETE PIRATES PROSPECT COVERAGE
Here's a look at the Pirates top prospects:
1. Konnor Griffin, SS (MLB No. 1)
2. Bubba Chandler, RHP (MLB No. 11)
3. Seth Hernandez, RHP (MLB No. 29)
4. Edward Florentino, OF/1B (MLB No. 50)
5. Hunter Barco, LHP (MLB No. 96)
Complete Top 30 list »
Biggest jump/fall
Here are the players whose ranks changed the most from the 2025 preseason list to the 2026 preseason list:
Jump: Antwone Kelly, RHP (2025: NR | 2026: 9)
Signed in January of 2021 out of Aruba, it took a while for Kelly to figure things out. He hadn't gotten past Single-A Bradenton through the 2024 season. His velocity and stuff took a big step forward in 2025, and he pitched his way from High-A Greensboro to Double-A Altoona. He was statistically one of the best pitchers in the organization, topping the system in ERA, batting average against and K-BB%.
Fall: Jhonny Severino, 3B/2B (2025: 12 | 2026: NR)
Acquired from the Brewers in the Carlos Santana trade in 2023, Severino had a bit of a breakout in 2024, reaching full-season ball for the first time and finishing with 16 homers and 16 steals. A full year back with Single-A Bradenton in 2025 did not go well, as the young infielder struggled to have a consistent approach, with a 118/32 K/BB ratio leading to a .215/.277/.359 line.
More from MLB Pipeline:
• Top 100 prospects | Stats | Video | Podcast | Complete coverage
Best tools
Players are graded on a 20-80 scouting scale for future tools -- 20-30 is well below average, 40 is below average, 50 is average, 60 is plus and 70-80 is well above average. Players in parentheses have the same grade.
Hit: 60 -- Konnor Griffin
Power: 65 -- Konnor Griffin
Run: 70 -- Konnor Griffin
Arm: 70 -- Konnor Griffin
Defense: 60 -- Jack Brannigan (Konnor Griffin, Wyatt Sanford)
Fastball: 70 -- Bubba Chandler (Seth Hernandez)
Curveball: 60 -- Seth Hernandez
Slider: 60 -- Reinold Navarro
Changeup: 60 -- Seth Hernandez (Bubba Chandler)
Control: 55 -- Seth Hernandez
How they were built
Draft: 14 | International: 10 | Trade: 6
Breakdown by ETA
2026: 11 | 2027: 5 | 2028: 9 | 2029: 4 | 2030: 1
Breakdown by position
C: 5 | 1B: 1 | 2B: 3 | 3B: 1 | SS: 6 | OF: 3 | RHP: 9 | LHP: 2