On Thursday, MLB Pipeline named their top ten catching prospects and Reese McGuire ranked seventh. McGuire was also ranked seventh among catchers last year by MLB Pipeline. In the write-up of the top catchers by Jim Callis, he praises McGuire’s defense, calling his throwing, receiving and pitch framing, all above average. On offense, he uses the whole field and should develop gap power.
As one of the youngest players on Opening Day in the South Atlantic League, McGuire made the All-Star team and hit .262/.307/.334 in 98 games, while throwing out 39% of base runners attempting to steal.
On Tuesday, Tyler Glasnow was ranked as the third best right-handed pitching prospect and Jameson Taillon got an honorable mention. There weren’t any Pittsburgh Pirates listed among the top left-handed pitching prospects.