There are two basic ways to measure the strength of a farm system. Perhaps it’s over-simplifying, but for the most part, there are elite-level prospects to look at and there’s depth to consider.

The Pirates have both.

That might provide little solace right now for the Pirates faithful in Pittsburgh on the heels of having the No. 1 pick in the Draft and finishing with over 100 losses at the big league level in 2021. But good things are brewing down on the farm.

There’s definite elite-level talent, with a half-dozen players on this year’s Top 100 list. The Draft has provided half of that group, with the last three first-round picks -- Quinn Priester (2019), Nick Gonzales (2020) and, course, that No. 1 pick in Henry Davis -- all ranking highly. The Pirates have three players in the top 26 alone, with Oneil Cruz joining Gonzales and Davis.

Beyond the top names, there is talent at every level as the Pirates hope to build a sustainable system that creates competition and continues to flow upward. GM Ben Cherington and Co. continue to use all avenues of talent acquisition. This year’s Top 30 continues to be very trade heavy, with 13 players total coming via the art of the deal. All but two have been brought in since Cherington took over.

Here’s a look at the Pirates top prospects:

1. Nick Gonzales, 2B (MLB No. 20)
2. Henry Davis, C (MLB No. 24)
3. Oneil Cruz, SS (MLB No. 26)
4. Quinn Priester, RHP (MLB No. 54)
5. Roansy Contreras, RHP (MLB No. 71)
   Complete Top 30 list »

Biggest jump/fall
Here are the players whose ranks changed the most from the 2021 preseason list to the 2022 preseason list.

Jump: Matt Fraizer, OF (2021: NR | 2022: 10)
All Fraizer did in his first full season of pro ball was put up a .306/.388/.552 slash line with 23 homers and 15 steals as he hit his way from High-A to Double-A in 2021. He has plus speed and a ton of raw power and might still be learning how to tap into his considerable tools.

Fall: Brennan Malone, RHP (2021: 8 | 2022: NR)

Acquired in the Starling Marte deal with the D-backs, Malone offers arm strength and athleticism on the mound, but he’s struggled with consistency and getting reps. He totaled only 14 innings in 2021 and needs innings to work on his secondary stuff and command. The good news is he’s still just 21 years old, with time to figure it out.

Top 30s
NLE: ATL | MIA | NYM | PHI | WSH
ALE: BAL | BOS | NYY | TB | TOR
NLC: CIN | CHC | MIL | PIT | STL
ALC: CWS | CLE | DET | KC | MIN
NLW: ARI | COL | LAD | SD | SF
ALW: HOU | LAA | OAK | SEA | TEX

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 above average and 70-80 is well above average. Players in parentheses have the same grade.

Hit: 65 -- Nick Gonzales
Power: 60 -- Henry Davis (Mason Martin)
Run: 70 -- Lonnie White Jr. (Ji-Hwan Bae)
Arm: 70 -- Oneil Cruz (Henry Davis, Bubba Chandler)
Defense: 60 -- Jared Triolo (Travis Swaggerty, Lonnie White Jr.)
Fastball: 70 -- Kyle Nicolas
Curveball: 60 -- Michael Burrows (Quinn Priester)
Slider: 55 -- Roansy Contreras (Anthony Solometo, Jared Jones, Carmen Mlodzinski, Kyle Nicolas)
Changeup: 55 -- Michael Yajure (Roansy Contreras, Carmen Mlodzinski)
Control: 55 -- Michael Yajure (Anthony Solometo)

How they were built

Draft: 14 | International: 3 | Trade: 13

Breakdown by ETA

2022: 14 | 2023: 7 | 2024: 6 | 2025: 3

Breakdown by position

C: 2 | 1B: 1 | 2B: 5 | 3B: 1 | SS: 3 | OF: 8 | RHP: 9 | LHP: 1