MLB Pipeline has released its list of the top 30 Pirates prospects heading into the 2024 season.
Development needs to continue but, just by looking at this list, the future of the organization could be very bright, especially with the team’s pitching.
14 of the top 30 Pirates prospects are pitchers along with four of the top 5.
The number 1 overall number one draft pick last year, 21-year-old RHP Paul Skenes tops the list for the Pirates, just like he did at the end of last season.
It was reported Tuesday that Skenes will start the season in the minor leagues.
Skenes is likely to make it Major League debut sometime this coming season
Right behind Skenes is the Pirates first draft pick in 2022, taken 4th overall, second baseman 19-year-old Termarr Johnson.
At just 19, Johnson is rated with the best power potential of all the team’s prospects. He’s projected to arrive in Pittsburgh in 2025, at just 20 years old.
22-year-old RHP Jared Jones is third on the list. He was taken in the second round of the 2020 draft and has an above average fastball, but some control issues.
21-year-old Anthony Solometo is fourth on the list.
He was taken in the 2nd round of the 2021 draft.
He has a slightly above average fastball, slider and control.
Rounding out the top five is 21-year-old RHP Bubba Chandler, who was taken in the third round of the 2021 draft.
Chandler was offered to play football and baseball at Clemson, but was lured away by the Pirates, signing him for first round money, after they saved cash signing Henry Davis in the first round. (The first-round savings also afforded them Solometo in the second round).
Jones and Solometo could make their Big-League debuts this coming year, Johnson and Chandler are expected next season.
Rounding out the Pirates top 10:
6. RHP Thomas Harrington
7. RHP Braxton Ashcraft
8. SS Mitch Jebb
9. SS Tsung-Che Cheng
10. SS/3B Jack Brannigan
Solometo, Harrington and Chandler were sent to Minor League camp on Monday.
See the full Top 30 prospects here.