Format = Place Participant | Age on 4/1/2024 | Highest Degree Performed | Estimated Time of Arrival
1. RHP Bubba Chandler | 22 | AAA | 2025
Right here’s what I wrote about Chandler on final 12 months’s record:
“His 1.50 WHIP throughout 24 Excessive-A begins isn’t notably spectacular, however his recreation log tells a unique story. Over his ultimate 9 begins, he posted a 0.82 WHIP and 1.66 ERA, culminating in 5 shutout innings throughout his Double-A debut. He struck out eight batters and allowed one hit and nil walks that night time. I believe his 2024 will embody loads of nights prefer it.”
Didn’t take a crystal ball to see this one coming, to be honest, however it was enjoyable to see Chandler come into his personal a pair years after ditching hitting to focus full time on his craft. The 6’2” 200 lb energy righty cruised by way of 119.2 innings throughout two ranges with 148 strikeouts together with a 3.08 ERA and 1.02 WHIP. He’ll throw any of his 4 pitches (fastball, curveball, slider, changeup) at any time and command every of them fairly properly. If Pittsburgh can piece collectively a plus defensive group over the subsequent few seasons, they need to be contenders on the energy of a formidable pitching workers.
2. SS Konnor Griffin | 18 | NA | 2029
Straight from the Division of This Is What They Look Like, Griffin checks in 6’4” 215 lbs with simple pace and energy. He was the Gatorade Nationwide Excessive Faculty Participant of the 12 months after successful his third straight title for Jackson Prep in Mississippi. It’s no exaggeration to say he may steal 100 bases in a minor league season contemplating he stole 87 in 88 makes an attempt in his ultimate highschool season. Considerably shockingly for a participant his measurement and age, he’s a superb defensive shortstop already and has the arm and pace to turn into an elite defender if his arms maintain coming alongside.
3. 2B Termarr Johnson | 20 | A+ | 2025
The 4th total choose in 2022, Johnson posted one other strong season in 2024, posting a 123 wRC+ in 110 Excessive-A video games. He completed the season with 14 Double-A video games and logged a 98 wRC+ there. The outcomes have at all times been constructive, however the best way he will get there isn’t precisely typical. Listed at 5’7” 175 lbs, Johnson employs a crouch from the left aspect and will get essentially the most out of his tiny strike zone through excessive endurance. He did handle 15 house runs and 22 stolen bases in 124 video games throughout two ranges, however I’m hesitant right here as a result of I don’t at all times love the extreme-patience strategy.
4. RHP Braxton Ashcraft | 25 | AAA | 2025
A 2nd spherical choose in 2018, Ashcraft closed the season by kicking some severe ash in Triple-A, recording a 0.47 ERA and 0.98 WHIP throughout 19.1 innings. He was fairly good in 53.2 Double-A innings earlier than that as properly, winding up with a 3.69 ERA and 1.10 WHIP in 53.2 innings on the energy of a fastball that touches 98 and a slider he can constantly spot. He pairs these with a curveball and changeup. At 6’5” 195 lbs, Ashcraft has endured a journey filled with stops and begins and retains some upside that’s obscured a bit by his age.
5. RHP Thomas Harrington | 23 | AAA | 2025
I believe Harrington might’ve helped this season, however Pittsburgh’s pitching workers stayed largely wholesome, and the group didn’t keep in rivalry all year long. In 117.1 innings throughout three ranges, Harrington posted a 2.61 ERA and 0.963 WHIP with 115 strikeouts and solely 19 walks. He instructions for strong pitches in his fastball, slider, cutter and changeup, and he retains a sluggish curve in his again pocket to activate one other velocity band if want be. I believe typically we underrate guys like Harrington as a result of he’s not pumping 99 from a skyscraper, however guys with command and aptitude for spin have their very own type of upside hidden in a 6’2” 185 lb body, possibly extra now than they ever have.
6. 2B Nick Yorke | 22 | MLB | 2024
Yorke was having an ideal season when Pittsburgh acquired him within the Quinn Priester commerce then he turned it up one other degree like Spinal Faucet, slashing .355/.431/.507 in 40 video games with the group’s Triple-A Indianapolis affiliate. He’s not precisely small at 6’0” 200 lbs, however I’m a little bit anxious about his energy upside like I’m with nearly any right-handed hitter who has to battle with that house subject cavern in left-center subject.
7. Johnny Severino | 20 | A | 2028
In 84 video games throughout two ranges, Severino hit 16 house runs and stole 16 bases. I’m no math whizz, however that’ll work. He additionally slashed .271/.341/.528 with strong plate expertise. Severino signed for $1.23 million with Milwaukee and came to visit within the Carlos Santana commerce and is wanting like a reasonably large win for Pittsburgh in the intervening time.
8. 3B Jack Brannigan | 24 | A+ | 2026
The spirit is prepared to roster Jack Brannigan, however the flesh is spongy, bruised from years of Pittsburgh disappointments. Just like the well-known Futurama captain with the identical surname, Brannigan strikes out quite a bit, however when he does make contact, the ball stays hit. He slugged .490 with 18 house runs and 12 steals in 77 Excessive-A video games. A 3rd-round choose in 2022, Brannigan can choose and hearth the tablet from the third and may keep there all the best way up the chain. May even kick over to shortstop in a pinch.
9. LHP Hunter Barco | 23 | AA | 2025
A cool lefty at 6’4” 210 lbs, Barco misplaced loads of reps in school on account of covid and a Tommy John surgical procedure however nonetheless wound up a second spherical choose (forty fourth total) in 2022. Because of this, his supply remains to be a piece in progress, however when he’s in rhythm and repeating, Barco might be dominant due to a tough strategy angle and a slider-change combo that pairs properly together with his fastball. He posted a 1.06 WHIP in 62 Excessive-A innings this 12 months and might be a part of the MLB image final in 2025.
10. SS Mitch Jebb | 22 | A+ | 2026
Tailored for the period, Jebb brings double-plus pace at 6’1” 185 lbs from the left aspect. He posted a .341 OBP and 104 wRC+ together with 43 steals in 113 Excessive-A video games, so he’ll need to hit a little bit extra to earn his spot on the sector, however I believe he can try this as long as he retains growing as a defender who bounces round between quick, second, and possibly outfield as an enormous leaguer.
Thanks for studying!
