It is no secret that the Pittsburgh Pirates have been miserably bad for a long time now. However, one perk of that is the prospects that they’ve drafted and acquired beginning to trickle into the big leagues. That is now beginning to happen with the Pirates top prospects.
“Bucco Blasts” took a short two week-long hiatus but returns following the Pirates breaking their horrid losing skid. Things have gone considerably sideways in Pittsburgh. However, they’ve called upon the young guns to start getting them some MLB-experience as they inch toward relevancy again.
I’m going to use this space this week to highlight the prospects who are here in Pittsburgh looking to make their name and stick with the big club for the foreseeable future.
Pirates Top Prospects in MLB
Henry Davis
The 2021 first overall pick was called up with less minor league at-bats than a handful of hall-of-famers. Henry Davis is in Pittsburgh and looks to be here to stay for good. The youngster is off to a roaring start with a .373 OBP in his first 13 games. Playing right field so far for Pittsburgh, Davis’ catching development has been put on hold as the Pirates try and claw back into the NL Central race. Pittsburgh has another catching prospect in Endy Rodriguez that should make his MLB debut relatively soon.
Davis came out of Louisville polished offensively and made a quick rise through the minor leagues. His fast track has him hitting in the heart of the Pirates’ lineup to this point. The 23-year old hit a home run and has six RBI in 46 at-bats. He has yet to make an error in the outfield.
Davis was the safe pick in 2021 that also signed for a bit under slot so that the Pirates could load up on depth later in the draft. But as a 1.1, you really need him to be a cornerstone piece. The Pirates’ number two prospect has a winning mentality and looks like he can be an offensive weapon. If his catching days are in fact done then hopefully he can continue to be a steadying presence in the outfield for the Pirates.
Nick Gonzales
Pittsburgh’s number six prospect is 2020 first-round selection Nick Gonzales. Gonzales was Ben Cherington’s first draft pick as GM of the Pirates so he’s now brought two first rounders up to the big leagues.
Gonzales isn’t thought of as much of a power hitter but he’s got a sweet swing. The quick, explosive short-to-the-ball swing is reminiscent of Mike Trout. Gonzales has already clubbed two homers in his first few weeks in the big leagues. It did take him a few games to get his first hit. However, he broke out Tuesday night by securing his first MLB-hit with a triple off the wall. He followed that up by hitting a home run off the batters-eye at PNC Park.
Nick Gonzales to the outfield bushes again. pic.twitter.com/OIodEUemWH
— AT&T SportsNet™ PIT (@ATTSportsNetPIT) July 2, 2023
Four of the Pirates’ top ten prospects can play the middle infield. This is going to eventually cause a squeeze for playing time. Gonzales is the first to get an opportunity to make his case. He came out of college labeled as the best pure hitter of his draft class. Eventually, the Pirates will have a decision to make when Liover Peguero and Termarr Johnson join the major league ranks within the next few seasons. For now, Gonzales will try and continue to make an impact while providing stability at both second base and short stop.
Jared Triolo
Labeled the Pirates’ 16th best prospect according to MLB’s official website, Jared Triolo doesn’t profile as a premier prospect. However, he can play a very smooth third base. The biggest problem for Triolo is that he is stuck behind Ke’Bryan Hayes who now has a long-term deal with the Pirates.
Triolo’s major-league debut came because Hayes is currently on the injured list. He likely won’t make it beyond Hayes’ reinstatement but if he continues to play well, he can showcase himself for a team looking to acquire a smooth fielding 25-year old hot corner glove.
Triolo was a comp pick in 2019 and is now hitting .235 in 17 at-bats this season. At 6’3″, 210 lbs., Triolo has an athletic build that allows him to play that smooth hot corner. He needs to use that body to translate it into some extra power to make him a legitimate MLB player at some point in his career.
Photo Credit- Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Players Mentioned- Henry Davis, Endy Rodrigues, Nick Gonzales, Mike Trout, Liover Peguero, Termarr Johnson, Jared Triolo, Ke’Bryan Hayes
