{"id":114725,"date":"2026-02-25T19:47:13","date_gmt":"2026-02-26T00:47:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/?p=114725"},"modified":"2026-02-25T19:47:13","modified_gmt":"2026-02-26T00:47:13","slug":"rule-5-draft-eligible-pirates-prospects-playing-protection","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/lastwordonsports.com\/baseball\/2026\/02\/25\/rule-5-draft-eligible-pirates-prospects-playing-protection\/","title":{"rendered":"Five Pirates Prospects Who Will Be Fighting for Rule 5 Draft Protection"},"content":{"rendered":"

Every year is a new opportunity for minor league players to take a step forward in their development. One pivotal thing for many is making their team\u2019s 40-man roster to get protection from the Rule 5 draft. Last year, the Pittsburgh Pirates<\/a> added multiple players to their 40-man roster before the draft. Esmerlyn Valdez, Wilber Dotel, Antwone Kelly, and Brandan Bidois were no surprises. However, Jack Brannigan, Tyler Samaniego, and Ryan Harbin were slightly more shocking. Either way, the Pirates have plenty of top prospects looking to secure a 40-man roster spot by performing well this season. These five are the most notable.<\/p>\n

Five Prominent Pirates Prospects Hoping for Rule 5 Draft Protection<\/h2>\n

Termarr Johnson<\/h3>\n

Termarr Johnson is the highest-ranking Pirates prospect who is looking to secure his Rule 5 draft protection. The Pirates\u2019 2022 first-round pick<\/a>, Johnson, batted .272\/.363\/.382 with a .348 wOBA and 118 wRC+ at Double-A Altoona in 2025<\/a>. The second baseman is known for his ability to draw walks and put up an 11.7% free pass percentage last year. On top of that, he had a career-best 18.5% strikeout rate and 75.1% contact rate. However, he didn\u2019t hit for much power. His .111 isolated slugging percentage was worse than the league average of just .130 in the Eastern League.<\/p>\n

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Jul 29, 2022; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates first round pick Termarr Johnson and fourth overall player drafted in the 2022 MLB Draft takes batting practice before the Pirates host the Philadelphia Phillies at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

While Johnson\u2019s bottom line may not seem impressive for a former first-round pick, it was only his age-21 season. He was the 16th youngest player at Double-A who had at least 400 plate appearances (Johnson stepped to the dish 503 times). Only seven players in total at Double-A had a wRC+ of at least 115 and were 21 years old or younger in 400+ trips to the plate.<\/p>\n

Johnson is still one of the Pirates\u2019 best prospects. Both MLB Pipeline<\/a> and Baseball America<\/a> rank him as the organization\u2019s seventh-best minor leaguer. With how well he has performed in the minor leagues so far, Johnson may make his MLB debut in 2026, making the need to add him to the 40-man roster in the offseason needless. He certainly has the potential to be a key member of the Pirates.<\/p>\n

Khristian Curtis<\/h3>\n

Khristian Curtis was drafted a year later out of college in 2023. Last season, the right-hander pitched to a 3.90 ERA, 4.09 FIP, and 1.238 WHIP over 110 2\/3 innings of work. He struck out just over a quarter of opponents, with a 25.1% K%, and had a respectable 9.7% walk rate. He was not very home-run-prone either, with a 0.97 HR\/9 ratio. Most of Curtis\u2019s bad outings happened very early in the year. After his eighth start of the season, Curtis put up a 2.83 ERA, 25.2% K%, and 8.9% BB% over his final 18 starts.<\/p>\n

Curtis spent most of his season at Greensboro and made it to Altoona before the end of the year. He only pitched in one game, but it was a great first impression. Curtis tossed two innings, allowing no hits or walks and striking out three. He utilizes five different pitches. His four-seam fastball sits mid-to-upper 90s. His slider, change-up, and cutter all project as above-average offerings by Baseball America. Only his curveball grades out as a 50-grade pitch.<\/p>\n

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This is from Sunday, Khristian Curtis facing Kevin McGonigle, one of the best hitting prospects in all of baseball.<\/p>\n

Works backwards with a CRV to jump in front 0-1 before blowing two fastballs by him at 96 and 97 mph. pic.twitter.com\/rkmgPQ0zkx<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Anthony Murphy (@__Murphy88) September 16, 2025<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n