MLB Pipeline released their rankings of the 100 top prospects going into the 2023 season.
The Pirates are tied for 6th in the MLB with 4 prospects on the list, just behind their division rivals The Cardinals.
Let's take a further look into this group of guy's futures and what it means for the team.
Termarr Johnson (26th ranked)
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So, Termarr Johnson comes in as the top Pirates prospect, rising three spots on this years list. He was the 4th overall draft pick in last year's MLB draft and only has 23 professional games under his belt, but is projected to be a future superstar and team leader of the organization.
Termarr split time between the rookie league and the Single A Bradenton Marauders. He started coming into his stride in Bradenton slashing .275 with 1 HR and 6 RBIs at the tail end of the season.
The lefty second baseman was regarded as one of the best pure high school hitters within the past few years and his hitting ability is what's going to propel him to the majors too.
Johnson projects average in both speed and fielding, but his contact ability should see him become a high average and on base percentage threat.
I think Termarr could come up a premier doubles hitter similar to Dustin Pedroia and develop his power later into his career to bring him to the level of those like Robinson Cano and record 25+ HRs a season.
He's currently projected to reach the league in 2025 and if Oneil Cruz develops into the player we all believe he could be, they could form one of the most dominant and exciting middle infield duos in baseball.
Endy Rodriguez (55th ranked)
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Endy Rodriguez has been one of biggest risers within the Pirates organization over the past couple of seasons. He came over from the Mets in the three team deal that sent Joe Musgrove to the Padres in 2021.
The 22-year-old rose from 97th last year and is a versatile fielder whose main position is behind the dish at catcher, but he's also seen a lot of time at first base, second base, and in the outfield.
He progressed through three levels in 2022 from High A all the way to Triple AAA slashing a ridiculous .323/.407/.590 with 25 HRs and 95 RBIs in his definitive breakout season.
Rodriguez is a switch hitter who ranks consistently across all assets of his game with only below average speed. He actually was the Pirates top ranked prospect in Baseball America's Top 100 rankings, coming in at 23rd overall.
The optimist outlook on Endy would see him playing and progressing up to the level of former longtime Yankee catcher Jorge Posada. He's currently projected to break into the league this season and, if he continues his offensive tear in the minors, could easily bump Austin Hedges out of his starting role.
Henry Davis (57th ranked)
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The former 1st overall draft pick in 2021 actually comes in second best in Pirates catching prospects. A plus defender, Davis has been outshined by the rise of fellow Pirate Rodriguez as he falls from 19th in the Top 100 list.
Davis had it tough in what was supposed to be his first full year of pro ball. He dealt with a wrist injury that came back twice over the course of the season.
He played across four levels total, rookie ball to Double AA, a .264/.380/.472 with 10 HRs and 42 RBIs over 59 games this season, but don't let that very average slash line fool you. Davis was tearing up Single A and High A before the injury, hitting well over .340 in both leagues before the injury problems.
He came back and participated in the Arizona Fall League where he preformed decently, but not eye opening like some expected. MLB Pipeline has him estimated to debut in 2024, but I think if Davis has a good healthy season and play at the level he started at last year, you could see him in the Pirates dugout come September.
It's an interesting situation with having Endy also debuting relatively soon. I think once Davis does reach the majors, he would bump Rodriguez out of the starting catching spot longterm and Rodriguez would fill more of a utility/designated hitter role for the team purely because Davis is a much better defender behind the plate.
The team could also follow suit with the situation the Toronto Blue Jays have right now with two very good catchers in Alejandro Kirk and Danny Jansen in which they split time behind the dish and the other fills the DH role.
Quinn Priester (60th ranked)
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Priester was the 1st round draft pick by the Pirates back in 2019 as one of the best high school arms available that year. He's been a steady developer in the organization, but fell from 44th in the Top 100.
The story of Quinn's 2022 season was actually pretty similar to his teammate Davis'. He initially came out dealing to start the season at Double-AA, pitching to a 2.87 ERA over 15 starts and a nice strikeout to walk rate.
Alas, an oblique injury derailed his season and was only to comeback to pitch two games in Triple-A with his stuff not looking as commanding. Priester made up for the lost innings by going to the AFL with Davis, but was a disappointing performer with a 6.26 ERA in 6 starts.
This upcoming season is going to be the most important in Priester's career so far as he tries to bounce back and dominate again. He owns a plus curveball and fastball that can touch 97 mph accompanied by a slider and changeup which gives him a commanding mix to get batters out.
The 2023 season is the current projection for Quinn Priester to debut if all goes well and he has a chance to form one of the most exciting young rotations in the MLB over the next few seasons alongside Roasny Contreras and Luis Ortiz.
Liover Peguero and Nick Gonzales fell off the Top 100 rankings after mediocre seasons, being ranked 62nd and 93rd last year respectively.
Luis Ortiz was left off MLB Pipelines list but was the only Pirates pitcher on Baseball America's list at 74th.
