A look at the top new prospects in Pirates' farm system

In the days leading to Thursday’s Trade Deadline, Pirates general manager Ben Cherington spoke about an urgency to position the team to compete in 2026 while also acknowledging that they cannot back away from risks. Reading between the lines, that came off as a desire for Major League-ready prospects, but also a willingness to take younger players at the lower levels.

It turns out the Pirates did a bit of both this Deadline, bringing in four Minor League players who now rank within their Top 30 prospects. It cost a lot to acquire that trio, sending Ke’Bryan Hayes to the Reds and David Bednar to the Yankees, two controllable players who were viewed several years ago as the faces of the team’s rebuild.

But the Pirates are moving forward thinking they can compete next year with a retooled roster. These four new players could either be part of a future team or be flipped for Major Leaguers who could help. Let’s take a look at them.

Sammy Stafura, SS, Single-A Bradenton, No. 7
Acquired in: Trade with Reds for Ke’Bryan Hayes
Pipeline scouting report: Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 65 | Arm: 55 | Field: 55 | Overall: 50

Organizational fit: A second-round pick in 2023, Stafura is just 20 years old and will need some time in the Minors. The organization is in need of impact position players, and he has the potential to be one. He’s swiped 28 bases to pair with 18 doubles and nine triples, showing a combination of speed and pop the Pirates need.

ETA: 2027

Rafael Flores, C, Triple-A Indianapolis, No. 11
Acquired in: Trade with Yankees for David Bednar
Pipeline scouting report: Hit: 45 | Power: 50 | Run: 35 | Arm: 50 | Field: 45 | Overall: 45

Organizational fit: Catcher is a position in flux at the moment, with Henry Davis and Joey Bart struggling offensively and Endy Rodríguez set to miss almost two whole seasons due to elbow injuries. The Pirates aren’t writing anyone off, but Flores gives them another option to bolster the group. His exit velocities ranked near the top of the Yankees’ farm system, which translated to 16 home runs in the Minors this year.

Flores was the Yankees’ Minor League Player of the Year in 2024. He is also the most Major League-ready prospect acquired this Deadline and needs to be added to the 40-man roster this winter or be exposed to the Rule 5 Draft. That could lead to him coming to Pittsburgh sooner rather than later, either as a catcher or first baseman.

ETA: 2025-2026

Edgleen Perez, C, Single-A Bradenton, No. 15
Acquired in: Trade with Yankees for David Bednar
Pipeline scouting report: Hit: 50 | Power: 45 | Run: 40 | Arm: 60 | Field: 55 | Overall: 45

Organizational fit: A defensive-minded catcher, Perez boasts a plus arm and glove, and the Pirates have shown a knack for being able to help catchers improve their pitch framing system-wide. That could be a recipe for him to develop into a really solid defender. The slug hasn’t been there this year, but there might be some untapped potential. If nothing else, he has one of the best batting eyes at just 19, leading the Florida State League in walks with 68. Perez is years away from the Majors, but it’s always good to have quality catchers in the system.

ETA: 2028

Jeter Martinez, RHP, Single-A Bradenton, No. 23
Acquired in: Trade with Mariners for Caleb Ferguson
Pipeline scouting report: Fastball: 55 | Slider: 55 | Changeup: 50 | Control: 40 | Overall: 40

Organizational fit: The Pirates have had success developing pitching lately, and Martinez was one of the higher profile international pitching prospects in 2023. He’s raw and there are control issues, but he’s 6-foot-4 and has already seen his fastball get up to 94-95 mph with potential for more. It will be years until he reaches the Majors, so the Pirates have a project on their hands. If it works out, he could either be part of the next wave of pitching or be traded to help the current group.

ETA: 2028