{"id":244763,"date":"2026-07-16T11:34:08","date_gmt":"2026-07-16T11:34:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/244763\/"},"modified":"2026-07-16T11:34:08","modified_gmt":"2026-07-16T11:34:08","slug":"three-pirates-prospects-most-likely-to-be-called-up-after-all-star-break","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/244763\/","title":{"rendered":"Three Pirates Prospects Most Likely to Be Called Up After All-Star Break"},"content":{"rendered":"

Unlike just about every season so far this decade beyond 2024, the Pittsburgh Pirates<\/a>‘ focus coming out of the All-Star break is on adding veteran talent as a means of pushing for a playoff spot.<\/p>\n

At 50-47 and two games back of the last National League Wild Card spot, the Pirates will presumably be rather aggressive in upgrading their 26-man roster over the next couple of weeks leading up to the August 3 trade deadline<\/a>, particularly when it comes to the bullpen.<\/p>\n

Pittsburgh<\/a> is also going to need reinforcements from the minor leagues throughout the remainder of the regular season while it looks to snap its 10-year postseason drought. <\/p>\n

With that, here are three prospects who are likely to be called up by the club after the All-Star break officially concludes.<\/p>\n

\"Indianapolis<\/p>\n

Indianapolis Indians relief pitcher Khristian Curtis (31) throws during a game celebrating the Indians\u2019 30th anniversary Saturday, July 11, 2026, at Victory Field in Indianapolis. The Indians fell to the Mud Hens 4-3. | USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

Khristian Curtis<\/p>\n

One of the Pirates’ lone top upper-level prospects who has yet to make his major league debut, Curtis could either be used as a spot starter or out of the bullpen.<\/p>\n

The 24-year-old right-hander, whom FanGraphs<\/a> lists as the club’s No. 12 prospect, sits in the mid-to-upper 90s with his fastball and can touch 99 mph while also having a deep arsenal that includes a slider, curveball, cutter and changeup.<\/p>\n

The former 12th-round pick’s command (4.84 BB\/9 this year) is extremely spotty, and he’s prone to giving up homers (1.21 HR\/9) in addition to sporting a 4.96 ERA over 18 outings (16 starts) totaling 74 1\/3 innings for Triple-A Indianapolis, but Curtis has the stuff (31.6 percent strikeout rate) to succeed at the major league level and help Pittsburgh out down the stretch.<\/p>\n

Jack Brannigan<\/p>\n

Brannigan made his major league debut for the Pirates on July 7 and went hitless in his only at-bat before later being sent back down to Triple-A Indianapolis after the club acquired Jacob Gonzalez and Brandon Eisert<\/a> from the Chicago White Sox for the No. 34 overall pick in the 2026 MLB Draft and Jaden Woods.<\/p>\n

He’s not going to tear up big-league pitching even if he is off to a hot start in Triple-A with a 155 wRC+ in six games and has a fair amount of power. Where Brannigan can help out Pittsburgh, though, is as an athletic, strong-armed defender on the left side of the infield.<\/p>\n

Should another injury occur or the Pirates decide to end the Jared Triolo experiment, Brannigan (No. 29 prospect per FanGraphs) is a prime candidate to return to the bigs.<\/p>\n

\"Pittsburgh<\/p>\n

May 26, 2026; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates relief pitcher Brandan Bidois (77) pitches against the Chicago Cubs during the seventh inning at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-Imagn Images | IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect<\/p>\n

Brandan Bidois<\/p>\n

Amidst Pittsburgh’s immense bullpen issues, Bidois has been given an extended run as a rookie. <\/p>\n

First recalled from Triple-A on May 12, the Australian right-hander has pitched in 15 games and posted a poor 6.32 ERA. Bidois’ numbers are even worse for Indianapolis, as he’s logged a 7.31 ERA over 16 innings after putting himself on the map with a 0.74 ERA in 61 minor league frames during the 2025 campaign.<\/p>\n

As a hard thrower, Bidois naturally has been plagued with command issues this season (6.19 BB\/9 in Indianapolis and 6.89 BB\/9 for the Pirates). The 25-year-old has no problems with striking out hitters, as evidenced by 13.50 K\/9 in Triple-A and 11.49 K\/9 in MLB, meaning he has the stuff necessary to get outs at the highest level.<\/p>\n

If Pittsburgh still needs relievers once the deadline passes, giving Bidois another shot should be firmly on its radar.<\/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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