ALTOONA, Pa. -- Welcome to the new DKPS top-10 ranking of the Pirates' prospects, as selected -- and debated -- by our baseball staff of Alex Stumpf, Chris Halicke, Jarrod Prugar and myself.
Each week, we'll move players up and down as warranted, though the final ranking's always intended to reflect the overarching potential for their performance upon arriving in Pittsburgh, rather than being a short-term hot/cold list. Also, if they're in the majors, even on an emergency basis, they won't be on this list. It's for players in the minors.
1. ONEIL CRUZ
Position: Shortstop
Affiliate: Class AAA Indianapolis
Acquired: Trade with Dodgers, 2017
Age: 23
Stats: .223/.333/.411, 8 HRs, 28 RBIs
Not much to share here that isn't obvious. The system's most ultra-talented prospect got off to a slow start, hitting below .200 for a month, but has come on of late to show why he's so highly regarded: Since May 15, he's slashing .311/.408/.623 with six home runs and a 1.031 OPS in 71 plate appearances. Do not be at all surprised if the Pirates call him up any day now. They couldn't have done that while he was batting below .200, but with the youth movement having begun, it's time for Cruz to start getting the big-league experience he deserves.
How did that ball leave the park?@OneilCruz4. That's how. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/DPJVpm3onP
— Indianapolis Indians (@indyindians) June 5, 2022
2. HENRY DAVIS
Position: Catcher
Affiliate: Class AA Altoona
Acquired: Pirates' first-round pick, 2021
Age: 22
Stats: .200/.500/.800, 1 HR, 2 RBIs
The reigning No. 1 overall pick in the land was fantastic at high Class A Greensboro, hitting .342 with five homers and 22 RBIs in 22 games, then got called up to Altoona. He only played two games for the Curve before going on the injured list May 18 with a wrist injury that was later confirmed to be a small fracture. The good news is that Davis has resumed baseball activities and is expected to play in Florida some before returning to Altoona. The bad news is that he's been hit by a pitch 11 times already this season, to go with 11 times he was hit in only 228 plate appearances his final season at Louisville. So he's been hit a whopping 22 times over his last 375 plate appearances going back to college. Whether all of that is just a giant fluke or if there's anything he can do at the plate to avoid getting hit so much is certainly something that needs to be addressed. Regardless, it will be good to see Davis doing this again soon:
Henry Davis has arrived in Altoona!!! pic.twitter.com/Pz0bNIcVMt
— Young Bucs (@YoungBucsPIT) May 11, 2022
3. LIOVER PEGUERO
Position: Shortstop
Affiliate: Class AA Altoona
Acquired: Trade with Diamondbacks, 2020
Age: 21
Stats: .293/.320/.476, 4 HRs, 30 RBIs
He got off to a great start and was one of the most productive hitters in the Eastern League for more than a month. He's cooled off a bit of late but still has good numbers. He's tied for third in the league with 29 extra-base hits, and his 29 RBIs are the seventh most by any minor-league shortstop. One concern with Peguero has been his defense. He has a lot of range and a strong arm, but already has 11 errors in only 38 games. That number is way too high and will have to be watched as the season goes along.
My goodness, Peggy! Liover crushes the first pitch of the third to extend our lead to 4-0!
— Altoona Curve (@AltoonaCurve) May 26, 2022
LISTEN: https://t.co/aioWvW3Svf
WATCH: https://t.co/6GP894jPtF pic.twitter.com/OCqOgt8sx0
4. MIKE BURROWS
Position: Right-handed pitcher
Affiliate: Class AA Altoona
Acquired: Pirates' 11th-round pick, 2018
Age: 22
Stats: 3-1, 2.36 ERA, 1.051 WHIP, 57 K, 16 BB
He's no longer an under-the-radar prospect, not after the brilliant start he's had this season. He was leading all qualified minor-league pitchers in ERA (1.90) going into his last start. All of that has brought him a lot more attention from media and fans, and deservedly so. He's even jumped Quinn Priester in our top 10, although in fairness to Priester he's been injured and hasn't pitched yet this season. Burrows probably deserved a lot more love than he got coming into this season, after posting a 2.20 ERA and phenomenal 0.898 WHIP at high Class A Greensboro last season.
miKe burrows continues to dominate 🔥 pic.twitter.com/hsZZHp5HpY
— Young Bucs (@YoungBucsPIT) May 27, 2022
5. NICK GONZALES
Position: Second base
Affiliate: Class AA Altoona
Acquired: Pirates' first-round pick, 2020
Age: 23
Stats: .247/.366/.377, 4 HR, 15 RBIs
He certainly has all the tools to be much higher on this list, and could be soon, but he's dropped some this season after a slow start at Class AA Altoona. He has turned it around of late and started looking more like the hitter everyone expected to see. Strikeouts have been a concern, as he's fanned 61 times in 186 plate appearances (33 percent), and that number must come down substantially. As he gets more comfortable at Class AA, expect his numbers and power to increase as the season goes on.
That’s four straight multihit games for Nick Gonzales!
— MLB Pipeline (@MLBPipeline) May 20, 2022
The top #Pirates prospect smacked a homer and a double for Double-A Altoona: https://t.co/YFKpgoXjCA pic.twitter.com/5Xi8ACZrm6
6. QUINN PRIESTER
Position: Right-handed pitcher
Affiliate: Class AA Altoona
Acquired: Pirates' first-round pick, 2019
Age: 21
Stats: Has not pitched yet this season
He's been out with an oblique injury, so he has yet to make his season debut. That could be coming somewhat soon, though, since he's overcome the oblique issue and is getting back into pitching form. He could be ready to pitch for the Curve later this month. He had a terrific season in 2021 at high Class A Greensboro, going 7-4 with a 3.04 ERA and 98 strikeouts in 97.2 IP.
Let's get to know #Pirates prospect Quinn Priester. (via @Alex_goldberg14) https://t.co/jOjhrVnW62
— Call to the Pen (@CalltothePen) May 25, 2022
7. ENDY RODRIGUEZ
Position: Utility
Affiliate: High Class A Greensboro
Acquired: Trade with Mets/Padres, 2021
Age: 22
Stats: .259/.333/.451, 6 HRs, 21 RBIs
He's having a solid season at the plate for high Class A Greensboro, although not quite the impressive numbers he put up last year at low Class A Bradenton (.294, 15 HR, 73 RBIs). He's a good defensive catcher, but the plan seems to be to make him a super utility guy. He's caught 22 games this season while also playing nine games at second base, three at first and seven in the outfield.
8. ANTHONY SOLOMETO
Position: Left-handed pitcher
Affiliate: Low Class A Bradenton
Acquired: Pirates' second-round pick, 2021
Age: 19
Stats: 0-0, 1.29 ERA, 1.143 WHIP, 7 K, 2 BB
He's making his professional debut this season and has been sharp in his first two starts, allowing six hits and one earned run in 7 IP. He's only 19 years old, so the Pirates will take their time with his development. He may still be the guy with funky delivery, but he has a chance to be really good as long as his mechanics hold up in pro ball.
First look at Pittsburgh 2021 second-rounder Anthony Solometo on the hill in Pirates gear
— Farm To Fame (@FarmToFame_) September 20, 2021
(📹 @King_S0L32) pic.twitter.com/8AOMEIvhRs
9. JARED JONES
Position: Right-handed pitcher
Affiliate: High Class A Greensboro
Acquired: Pirates' second-round pick, 2020
Age: 20
Stats: 2-3, 5.40 ERA, 1.385 WHIP, 59 K, 19 BB
Why is a guy with a 5.40 ERA in 10 starts in our top 10? Well, Jones has tremendous stuff and can throw 100 mph, helping his projectability factor, and he's only 20 years old competing in high Class A. Most importantly, he has 59 strikeouts in 43.1 IP, an average of 12.3 per nine innings. And again, he's only 20. He'll figure things out in the ERA department with more experience, and his great arm gives him a chance to be an outstanding prospect.
10. JI-HWAN BAE
Position: Utility
Affiliate: Class AAA Indianapolis
Acquired: International free agent, 2018
Age: 22
Stats: .287/.367/.466, 5 HRs, 25 RBIs
He's having a solid all-around season and is a polished player who could help the Pirates in a number of ways at the major-league level. He has played second, short, third, center and left this season for Indianapolis, with second base being his primary position. He can drive the ball to the gaps for extra bases, and if his power continues to develop, he could be a major threat offensively. He had a 28-game on-base streak earlier this season.
HONORABLE MENTION
Several other players received consideration from our staff for this initial ranking. They include:
• Blake Sabol: The 24-year-old catcher/outfielder is having an excellent offensive season for Class AA Altoona and is currently the Curve's best hitter (.310, 6 HR, 28 RBIs, .919 OPS).
• Matt Gorski: He's third in the minors with 18 home runs and 10th in total bases with 111. He hit 17 homers at high Class A Greensboro before getting called up to Altoona. So, why isn't he in the top 10? One thing working against Gorski is perhaps his age, as he's 24 and just now getting to Class AA, so you have to take that into account with prospect rankings.
• Mason Martin: He has 11 homers for Class AAA Indianapolis, and the 23-year-old's power potential will always be intriguing. But the strikeout total continues to be an issue. He's fanned 74 times in 212 plate appearances (35 percent) and is hitting just .228.
• Matt Fraizer: He really struggled early this season trying to live up to last year's terrific success, hitting under .200 for more than a month. The 24-year-old has turned things around of late and is starting to be more of an offensive factor. He's batting .210 with three homers and 21 RBIs.
• Bubba Chandler: The 19-year-old has yet to start his season. He was a third-round draft pick last year and hit .167 in 11 games in rookie league. The one-time Clemson football commit is an outstanding young prospect as an infielder and as a pitcher, so we'll see how he develops in both areas.
We've also got this accompanying podcast on the subject: