Top 50 graphic design by Michael Packard, @CollectingPack on Twitter
Pittsburgh Pirates
NL Central
2025 record: 71-91 (5th)
MiLB affiliates
Triple-A: Indianapolis Indians
Double-A: Altoona Curve
High-A: Greensboro Grasshoppers
Single-A: Bradenton Marauders
2025 End-Of-Season farm system rank: #5
Jeremy Mahy’s organization take from our 2025 End-Of-Season Farm System Rankings:
An arm like Paul Skenes comes around once in a generation. The Pirates need to go all in while they have him. Chandler and Barco in addition to a returning JaredJones should give them plenty of pitching to build around. As soon as they are ready they need to get Konnor Griffin, Termarr Johnson and Esmerlyn Valdez in Pittsburgh. The only thing standing in their way are the two teams at the top of this list.
2026 International Signing: Wilton Guerrero, Jr. SS (Dominican Republic) $1.9M. Not included in the Top 50 rankings below. Would likely be slotted in lower Tier 4 or upper Tier 5 and should show up in our next Pirates prospects update.
Prospects1500 writers who contributed to this column and rankings: Greg Bracken (@gregbracken07), Scott Greene (@Scotty_Ballgame), Shaun Kernahan (@ShaunKernahan), J.W. Mulpas (@CLEBoxscoreBeat), and Jeremy Mahy (@JMahyfam). The writer’s Twitter handle follows each player write-up or paragraph.
Prospects1500 Tiers:
Tier 1: Players with high expectations of both making the majors and playing at an All-Star level for a number of years
Tier 2: Players with an above-average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor
Tier 3: Players with an average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor
Tier 4: Players who have the potential to make the majors; possible sleeper candidates for sustained MLB success
Tier 5: Players of interest, worth keeping an eye on, who may make (or have made) the majors but provide minimal impact
Levels listed for each player are the highest levels player reached in 2025
Tier 1
1. Konnor Griffin, SS, 19, Double-A
Does having the number one overall prospect in baseball automatically put your farm system into the top five? Regardless of your answer to that question, Griffin entered Spring Training as the consensus #1, and his star is only shining brighter, quickly. The 6’3” 222 lb shortstop is making a case early on this spring to break camp with the Pirates and be in their Opening Day lineup. Pittsburgh’s 2024 first round selection (9th overall) debuted last season and played across A+/AA/AAA slashing .333/.415/.527/.941, with 21 HR, 94 RBI and 65 stolen bases in 122 games and 563 plate appearances. If he doesn’t play another MiLB game and does make the MLB squad, he’ll join only four other players who reached the majors with 130 or less MiLB games and 575 or fewer PAs. That short list – Ken Griffey Jr., Alex Rodriguez, Bryce Harper, and Juan Soto. Griffin could soon be in elite company. (@Scotty_Ballgame)
2. Bubba Chandler, RHP, 23, MLB
Going into the 2025 season I would have all but guaranteed that Chandler would have spent more significant time with the big-league club. The delay can very likely be attributed to an uneven stint in Triple-A to start the season. His stuff still looked as good as ever, but his command seemed to back up a bit evidenced by a 12% walk rate. It is important to remember that prospect development is hardly ever linear, especially for a pitcher, Who knows what adjustments he was working on during that time. Any concerns were quickly put to rest in his 31-inning debut with the Pirates in which he posted a 0.93 WHIP and miniscule 3.2% walk rate. Chandler is the real deal, and I can’t wait to see him pair with Skenes at the top of the Bucs rotation. (@JMahyfam)
Tier 2
3. Edward Florentino, OF, 19, Single-A
Florentino is the absolute definition of “pop up prospect”. The 19-year-old entered 2025 as our 27th ranked Pirates prospect, then opened a lot of eyes and gained a lot of followers as he had a great season playing in the Florida Complex League and then in Single-A Bradenton. He ended up hitting .290, posting a .948 OPS, with 16 home runs, 59 runs batted in, and 35 stolen bases. In one season, the Dominican Republic native has gone from a Tier 5 player worth keeping an eye on, who may make the majors but provide minimal impact, to a solid Tier 2 guy, with an above-average expectation of making the majors and being a solid contributor. It really is amazing how one season can drastically change the industry’s view of a prospect. Florentino should be one of the starting OFs for High-A Greensboro to open 2026. (@Scotty_Ballgame)
4. Seth Hernandez, RHP, 16, High school
Hernandez is a power right-hander with frontline traits, pairing upper-90s velocity with one of the better changeups in the minor leagues. He works from a low 3/4 slot with a loose, explosive arm, sitting 94–98 and touching higher with life, while consistently throwing strikes and showing the athleticism to repeat. The changeup is already a true plus pitch with heavy run and late tumble, flashing near 70 at its best and giving him a legitimate weapon against left-handers. He complements it with both a high-spin 12–6 curveball and a sharper mid-80s slider, giving him multiple breaking looks with bat-missing potential. With a fastball-changeup foundation that can anchor a rotation and the ability to spin quality secondaries, Hernandez projects as a high-upside starter capable of developing into a top-of-the-rotation arm if the command and consistency continue to mature. (@ShaunKernahan)
Tier 3
5. Jhostynxon Garcia, OF, 23, MLB
6. Hunter Barco, LHP, 25, MLB
7. Esmerlyn Valdez, OF/1B, 22, Double-A
8. Rafael Flores Jr., 1B/C, 25, MLB
9. Wyatt Sanford, SS/2B, 20, Single-A
10. Termarr Johnson, 2B, 21, Double-A
“The Password” brings big power after hitting .267 with 21 homers across AA and AAA in 2025. He’ll compete for a Pirates roster spot this year, but he’ll need to cut down his strikeouts. Barco is a big lefty with a four-pitch mix highlighted by a strong splitter and slider. He’s set to join the Pirates’ rotation at some point in 2026 as a back-end arm. Valdez broke out in 2025 with 26 homers and AFL Offensive Player of the Year honors. He brings exciting upside despite some swing-and-miss risk. Flores Jr., acquired in the David Bednar trade, posted a 134 wRC+ and back-to-back 20+ homer seasons and should see time at first base after a brief MLB debut. In his first pro season, Sanford stole 34 bases with strong defense before an injury cut his year short. A fast riser in the system, he’s a strong breakout candidate this season. Johnson hasn’t lived up to the hype as a hitter, but his on-base skills and solid power still make him a top second base prospect. (@CLEBoxscoreBeat)
Tier 4
11. Sammy Stafura, SS, 21, High-A
12. Thomas Harrington, RHP, 24, MLB
13. Nick Yorke, 2B, 23, MLB
14. Antwone Kelly, RHP, 22, Double-A
15. Levi Sterling, RHP, 19, Single-A
16. Edgleen Perez, C, 19, Single-A
17. Murf Gray, 3B, 22, College
18. Tony Blanco Jr., 1B, 20, Single-A
19. Darell Morel, SS, 18, Rookie (DSL)
20. Jeter Martinez, RHP, 20, Single-A
Stafura, the Reds’ second rounder in 2023, was part of the package for Ke’Bryan Hayes at the 2025 trade deadline. Initially assigned to Bradenton, the highly-regarded shortstop was promoted to High-A for 26 games and will likely be in the Grasshoppers uniform again in April. Harrington was considered a Top 100 prospect heading into last season, coming off an excellent 2024 across three levels. The former first round pick (2022) spent most of 2025 in Triple-A, but got some MLB experience with two games in April and one in August, although he was hit hard. Yorke, who came over to the Pirates in the Red Sox trade for Quinn Priester, got some MLB playing time over the last couple of seasons. His 106 at bats leave him still prospect-eligible in many dynasty leagues, so check on his availability if you need a middle infielder. He’s projected to back up Brandon Lowe in Pittsburgh to start the season. Kelly made 25 starts last year (High-A 14, Double-A 11) and is projected to front the Altoona in early 2026. The right-hander had a solid 3.02 ERA and 1.06 WHIP in 2025. Sterling and Martinez look to be ticketed to head up the Bradenton rotation to start 2026. Sterling, a first round selection in 2024, debuted in 2025 in the FCL and got one game at Single-A. Jeremy Mahy is high on Martinez and bumped him from upper Tier 5 to get slotted into our Tier 4. Perez is one of five catchers in the Pirates top 50, and will likely be the primary catcher for Bradenton to open the season. Gray impressed me when I saw him starring for Wareham on the Cape during the summer of 2024. Pittsburgh’s second round pick out of Fresno State should debut with Single-A Bradenton. Blanco Jr had a good Arizona Fall League after only playing in 30 games in 2025, 28 at the Single-A level. Morel, 18, is years away but showed us enough in his 50-game Dominican Summer League debut to believe he has the potential to make the majors at some point. He hit .287, had an OBP of .425 and stole 26 bases.
Tier 5
21. Jhonny Severino, 3B/SS, 21, Single-A
22. Omar Alfonzo, C/1B, 22, Double-A
23. Yordany De Los Santos, SS, 21, High-A
24. Wilber Dotel, RHP, 23, Double-A
25. Zander Mueth, RHP, 20, Single-A
26. Jack Brannigan, SS/3B, 24, Double-A
27. Callan Moss, 1B, 22, High-A
28. Mitch Jebb, OF/2B, 23, Double-A
29. Khristian Curtis, RHP, 23, Double-A
30. Anthony Solometo, LHP, 23, Double-A
31. Duce Gourson, IF, 23, Double-A
32. Johan De Los Santos, SS/2B, 17, Rookie (DSL)
33. Axiel Plaz, C/1B, 20, High-A
34. Jesus Travieso, RHP, 18, Single-A
35. Easton Carmichael, C, 22, High-A
36. Keiner Delgado, SS, 22, High-A
37. Carlson Reed, RHP, 23, High-A
38. Javier Rivas, SS/3B, 23, Double-A
39. Reinold Navarro, LHP, 19, Single-A
40. Nick Cimillo, 1B, 26, Double-A
41. Estuar Suero, OF, 20, Single-A
42. David Matoma, RHP, 20, Single-A
43. Will Taylor, OF, 23, High-A
44. Ivan Brethowr, OF, 23, High-A
45. Billy Cook, 1B, 27, MLB
46. Jared Jones, 1B, 22, High-A
47. Gustavo Melendez, 2B/SS, 18, College
48. Shalin Polanco, OF, 21, High-A
49. Eddie Rynders, 3B, 20, Single-A
50. Inmer Lobo, LHP, 22, High-A
Brannigan is an underrated power-speed infielder with a cannon of an arm well suited for the Pirates open third base position. There were rumors that a strong spring from him might speed up that timeline, but after taking a batted ball to the face in a Grapefruit League game last week, that is currently on hold. Alfonzo is a power-over-hit bat with big exit velocities and a leveraged swing built to lift the ball. The power is real, but the swing path has led to more whiffs than you would like (29% K-rate last year). Yordanny De Los Santos repeated Low-A last season with more encouraging results, popping 11 home runs and stealing 51 bags, but the strikeouts remain a concern (27% K-rate). Jebb is a true contact-first hitter with moderate speed, he profiles as a solid utility type player thanks to his defensive versatility and ability to get on base. Curtis has future mid-rotation starter with swing-and-miss potential if his command can hold and his changeup develops. The Pirates’ pitching development has done well of late and the 6’5” righthander could really make some noise this season. Gourson does not get enough hype but that could change this spring due to the untimely injury to Brannigan. Combined at High-A and Double-A last year he posted a .377 wOBA, .164 ISO, stole 31 bags with only a 22.7 strikeout rate. Delgado came over from the Yankees organization back in 2024 and has quietly impressed. He’s a switch-hitter with excellent speed, solid contact, and more pop than you’d expect. Why not finish off the Bucs with a couple of intriguing southpaws to watch? The 19-year-old Navarro might have the nastiest two-pitch combo in the system with his fastball and slider both grading out at potentially 60-grade, but the control needs work (27% walk rate last year). Prior to his 23 innings in High-A last year, the 21-year-old Lobo had never had an ERA above two. His future looks to be in the pen, but he could be an impact arm late in games. (@JMahyfam)
Author
Prospects1500 is your comprehensive dynasty league resource, featuring deep MLB/MiLB top prospect lists, news and rankings.
Greg covers the Toronto Blue Jays organization for Prospects1500. Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, a long-suffering fan of both the Blue Jays and the Toronto Maple Leafs. For more than 15 years now a participant/commish in many dynasty baseball leagues, all with extremely deep minor league rosters. Follow on X @gregbracken07.
President of Prospects1500. Founder of Diamond Duos dynasty fantasy baseball leagues and the MLB Fantasy Playoffs Parlay. Participant and champion in several dynasty/fantasy baseball and football leagues. Sales Manager for Reminder Publishing by day. Huge Bruce Springsteen and pro wrestling fan. Along with his wife and two boys, lives in Longmeadow, MA. Follow on Twitter at @Scotty_Ballgame.
Shaun Kernahan is the MLB Draft correspondent for Prospects1500. When not at a game, chances are the TV and/or tablet has a game on and he has a notepad out taking notes. When not scouting draft prospects, he is the Director of Baseball Operations for the Mile High Collegiate Baseball League, a collegiate wood bat league in Colorado. Shaun can be found on Twitter at @ShaunKernahan.
Jeremy covers the St Louis organization and contributes on Prospects of the Week for Prospects1500. Born and raised in the Midwest, he is a lifelong fan of the Birds on the Bat. You can follow him on Twitter @JMahyfam for more baseball content.
“Love is the most important thing in the world, but baseball is pretty good, too.” -Yogi Berra
J.W. resides in Northeast Ohio and is a lifelong Cleveland sports fan. His favorite baseball player of all-time is 2018 Hall of Fame inductee, Jim Thome. He enjoys playing Fantasy Baseball, especially dynasty leagues. He has been a contributor to Prospects1500 since January 2025. You can follow J.W. on X at @CLEBoxscoreBeat.