{"id":244471,"date":"2026-07-16T02:29:12","date_gmt":"2026-07-16T02:29:12","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/244471\/"},"modified":"2026-07-16T02:29:12","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T02:29:12","slug":"5-pirates-most-likely-to-be-traded-before-mlb-trade-deadline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/244471\/","title":{"rendered":"5 Pirates Most Likely to Be Traded Before MLB Trade Deadline"},"content":{"rendered":"

After cultivating one of the strongest minor league systems across baseball, the Pittsburgh Pirates<\/a> are getting ready to cash in as buyers at this year’s trade deadline.<\/p>\n

Sitting at 50-47 and two games back of the final Wild Card spot in the National League<\/a>, the Pirates are a dangerous club that could go on a run due to their potent lineup and starting rotation as long as they adequately upgrade their middling bullpen before the August 3 deadline.<\/p>\n

Pittsburgh will have to part ways with some of its young talent in order to do so, and here are five players who could find themselves on the move as a result. <\/p>\n

\"Pittsburgh<\/p>\n

Mar 28, 2026; New York City, New York, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Hunter Barco (45) delivers a pitch against the New York Mets during the eleventh inning at Citi Field. Mandatory Credit: Gregory Fisher-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

Hunter Barco<\/p>\n

Ranked as the No. 3 prospect in Pittsburgh’s farm system by MLB Pipeline<\/a> and No. 11 by FanGraphs <\/a>back in early June, Barco has the look and feel of a trade chip. <\/p>\n

The Pirates aren’t exactly hurting for young arms with high upside, allowing them the luxury of potentially parting ways with a few of them in order to land a big fish at the deadline.<\/p>\n

A second-round pick in the 2022 MLB Draft, Barco made his major league debut in 2025 and has thrown a total of 14 2\/3 innings for Pittsburgh. His ERA over that span is 6.14, however, and his 4.91 ERA across 40 1\/3 minor league frames this season doesn’t inspire much confidence either.<\/p>\n

Still, the left-hander’s unorthodox delivery and off-speed stuff should be enough for several clubs to express interest in him over the coming weeks as he begins a rehab assignment in the Florida Complex League, and the Pirates might just oblige.<\/p>\n

Jhostynxon Garcia<\/p>\n

Dubbed “The Password”, Garcia arrived in Pittsburgh this past offseason to plenty of fanfare after being sent over from the Boston Red Sox in a trade for Johan Oviedo.<\/p>\n

A 2025 Futures Game participant and former Top 100 prospect whom Pipeline views as the No. 4 farmhand in the system, Garcia’s cup of coffee in the majors from May 19 to June 7 this season didn’t go well. He slashed .200\/.243\/.229 over 35 at-bats, and his numbers for Triple-A Indianapolis (.759 OPS, six home runs) are average at best.<\/p>\n

The emergence of young outfielders like Esmerlyn Valdez and Tyler Callihan, coupled with Bryan Reynolds, Jake Mangum and Oneil Cruz (when healthy), Garcia has become a bit more expendable for the Pirates, and he could theoretically serve as a headliner in a sizable trade due to his raw power, rocket of an arm and speed.<\/p>\n

\"<\/p>\n

Jun 12, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Antwone Kelly (62) pitches during the seventh inning against the Miami Marlins to make his major league debut at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

Antwone Kelly<\/p>\n

In a system that has plenty of intriguing right-handed prospects, Kelly<\/a> could provide some of the most trade value of the bunch due to his big-league readiness and upside as a reliever.<\/p>\n

The 22-year-old made his major league debut in June and has a 10.38 ERA over 4 1\/3 total innings for the club while also struggling in Triple-A to the tune of a 4.85 ERA over 17 outings (12 starts) totaling 68 2\/3 frames.<\/p>\n

Kelly, who’s currently the Pirates’ No. 7 prospect by Pipeline and No. 19 by FanGraphs, is a flamethrower whose fastball sits in the upper 90s and can reach over 100 mph, in addition to a cutter and changeup that both have potential as out pitches with additional refinement.<\/p>\n

His K\/9 rate has dropped from 9.73 in 2025 to 7.08 in the minors this year, while his BB\/9 rate has gone from 2.77 to 4.33, but those numbers should improve if he spends more time in the bullpen.<\/p>\n

Duce Gourson<\/p>\n

A ninth-round pick in the 2024 MLB Draft who is now rated as the No. 13 prospect in the system by FanGraphs, Gourson is already a player development win for Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n

The UCLA product is slashing .227\/.375\/.357 with 29 stolen bases over 337 plate appearances for Double-A Altoona this year and has showcased impressive swing decisions with a 16.0 percent walk rate and 20.14 percent chase rate.<\/p>\n

As an athletic infielder who has played first base, second base and third base, Gourson could fetch a quality back-end reliever as the headliner of a package or be a secondary piece in a more wide-ranging deal.<\/p>\n

Easton Carmichael<\/p>\n

Pittsburgh has quite a few notable catching prospects, including Rafael Flores Jr., Omar Alfonzo, Axiel Plaz and Edgleen Perez.<\/p>\n

Carmichael is a part of that group as well, as the 22-year-old is slashing .307\/.352\/.523 with 15 home runs and 11 stolen bases in 68 games for High-A Greensboro.<\/p>\n

Even if he’s a below-average hitter long-term with some pop despite his minor league numbers suggesting otherwise, the 2025 third-rounder will provide more than enough value as a starter or high-level backup behind the plate due to his strong defense. <\/p>\n

Catchers are always in demand, and Carmichael’s high floor could very well lead to him being shipped out at the deadline due to a potentially high volume of inquiries from sellers around the league.<\/p>\n

Make sure to visit Pirates OnSI for the latest news, updates, interviews and insight on the Pittsburgh Pirates!<\/a><\/p>\n

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