PITTSBURGH (93.7 The Fan) – With the exciting debut of Paul Skenes paired with what Jared Jones is doing as a rookie, there is optimism, at least with the starting pitching. You're now thinking where do they get runs? Who is the hitting prospect to get excited about?
The reality is the best fix for the Pirates issues are the guys at the MLB level raising their game. Bryan Reynolds hitting .184 in May with no home runs and four RBI and Ke'Bryan Hayes was 2 for 23 in May before going on injured reserve again with lower back pain. There have to be conversations of Jack Suwinski (hasn't homered in a month) and Jared Triolo (.208 with three extra base hits in 37 games) going to the minors. Similarly, the talk has to be how much longer you keep rolling Rowdy Tellez (.186, 4 extra base hits, 8 RBI in 39 games) out there.
Internally, what is out there for Pirates fans? The three most ready to make an impact have failed in Pittsburgh last year or are rebuilding their career. There is promise with a few but no consistent results that speak to them reaching the majors in the near future.
Ji Hwan Bae-CF, AAA
I can remember when he played at the end of a Spring Training game in 2018 and it seemed like he got from the batters' box to first base in a second. He quickly made his way to second and then third. The question at the time was 'who is this teenager?'
Currently the 24-year-old is in AAA after starting there on a rehab assignment. Bae is hitting .355 with three home runs and six stolen bases in 76 at bats. The on-base percentage is .479 and OPS is 1.005. The left-handed hitter still strikes out a lot and is relatively new to centerfield.
Liover Peguero-INF AAA
When the Pirates traded Starling Marte to Arizona, the return were pitchers Eddie Yean-who just hasn't developed and infielder Liover Peguero, a highly sought-after Dominican player. The right-handed hitter struggled in the majors last year, with a .237 average/.280 on-base/.654 OPS. He did hit seven home runs in 59 games. Peguero lost the second base competition in training camp to Jared Triolo.
Still just 23-years-old, Peguero is hitting .290 in AAA with a team-leading 23 RBI and nine doubles. The OPS is .736 and he's struck out 32 times to nine walks.
Jake Lamb-1B AAA
The 33-year-old was an All-Star in 2017 with 30 home runs and 105 RBI with the Diamondbacks. He hasn't batted higher than .222 or driven in more than 31 runs since then. Last year the left-handed hitting first-baseman hit .216 with a pair of homers in 18 games with the Angels. Like Tellez, he's had success previously, but it's been a minute.
Off to a great start in AAA, Lamb has a .359 average, .452 on-base percentage, .995 OPS with eight doubles, three homers and 18 RBI. The team would have to drop a player from the 40-man roster to call-up Lamb.
Lonnie White-OF High A
Drafted out Malvern Prep HS in the second round in 2021 and signed after the Pirates convinced him to play baseball instead of accepting a scholarship to play football at Penn State, he's got the tools. The athleticism jumps off the page and he looks the part at 6'2", 212 pounds. They are excited about the power potential, but it hasn't all come together.
In just 20 games, he has six home runs at Greensboro, however the average is .177/.293 on-base percentage/.749 OPS. He's also struck out 34 times in 79 at bats, not that striking out is as big an issue in today's game. White, 21, has also dealt with injuries limiting him to 92 games after starting his professional career in 2021.
Sammy Siani-OF High A
Pirates were excited about the Philadelphia high school outfielder, using a first-round, competitive balance pick on him in 2019. The 5'10", left-handed hitter, now 23-years-old dealt with the struggles of developing during COVID, but has just been promoted to AA after five doubles, four homers, a .324 average, .402 on-base and .965 OPS in 20 games at High-A Greensboro.
Termarr Johnson-INF High A
Just 19-years-old, the Pirates first-round pick, fourth overall in the 2022 MLB Draft is still early in his career. He showed off his power potential in Bradenton during his first full professional season last year with 13 homes and 10 doubles in 75 games. He walked 72 times at Low A with a .419 on-base percentage. This season in 30 games at High A, .167 average/.382 OBP/.797 OPS with one home and one double in 96 at bats.
Is there some position-player talent in the minors, yes, but it's nothing of the sure thing that Paul Skenes was. The two with the biggest upside have still yet to show the consistency of making a major league splash.
