On Tuesday, Pirates Prospects released the top 50 tiered prospect rankings, version 1.0. The return of rankings to the site after two years will be an ongoing project, aimed at giving a new look at the system depth.
I think we enjoy prospect rankings for the facade of an insight into the future. The truth is that the future can’t be predicted, as it doesn’t truly exist. Tuesday provided a reminder of that, when the Pirates acquired a former second overall pick in exchange for an eighth rounder who has yet to play a single game. Each ranking system provides a snapshot in time of the current grades of a player, then tries to imagine a future outcome based on what we know.
The new rankings on Pirates Prospects are aimed to be grounded in the present, with less projection involved. Eventually, they will display how a player’s Future Value grade is something that is slowly ascended toward, and sometimes never achieved. The rankings will also display how many players the Pirates have at each potential level — impact player, starter, bench, and depth options — to get a better idea of system depth.
You can only access the rankings with a Patreon subscription to Pirates Prospects. The supporters of this site get access to my best work, and with months of consideration put into these rankings, this would qualify as some of my best work. Last year, the only thing I knew for certain when I started this process was that Paul Skenes was the only first tier prospect. From that point, the rest of the rankings have changed almost daily, finally being locked in during the writing process of Tuesday’s article drop.
Expect more changes throughout the year, and a better developed system to display the depth throughout the Pittsburgh Pirates’ organization. Your support of this project is greatly appreciated, and helps keep the site going.
ROSTER MOVES
The Pirates made two moves on their off day. They traded Jackson Wolf back to the Padres, and in a separate move acquired catcher Joey Bart from the Giants.
The move with Wolf follows the lefty being designated for assignment last week, to make room on the 40-man roster for Hunter Stratton and Ryder Ryan. The Pirates acquired Wolf from the Padres last summer in the Rich Hill/Ji Man Choi trade. He was low on the depth charts for pitching options this year, and might have a better chance at reaching the majors with the Padres, where he made a depth start last year.
In return, the Pirates added infielder Kervin Pichardo from the Padres. Pichardo is entering his age 22 season, and has played second, third, and short. Last year in High-A, he hit .267/.387/.410 with eight homers. He went to Double-A briefly and posted a .644 OPS. The Pirates assigned Pichardo to Altoona.
The bigger move on Tuesday was the addition of Joey Bart. The Pirates added the catcher, and later it was reported by Alex Stumpf that Jason Delay will go on the 10-day IL. Bart was the second overall pick in the 2018 MLB draft, but hasn’t performed more than replacement level in the majors. His best season was in 2022, when he had a .660 OPS across 291 plate appearances, good enough for an 0.7 fWAR. He does well defensively, and has plus power at the plate.
The Pirates sent minor league right-hander Austin Strickland back in the deal. Strickland was an 8th round pick in last year’s draft, and had yet to make his pro debut. His draft report had his fastball as an above-average pitch, with above-average control from the groundball pitcher.
Colin Selby was designated for assignment to make room for Bart on the 40-man roster. The move came after Selby pitched a shutout inning for Indianapolis.
Bart’s addition boosts the catching depth, which has taken a hit with injuries to Yasmani Grandal and Jason Delay, plus the election of free agency by Ali Sanchez. The move with Wolf preserves some value by adding a player the Pirates can develop and use this year at the Double-A level.
PROSPECT WATCH
Indianapolis lost 7-2 to Memphis. The Indians picked up four hits total on the night, with one each from Nick Gonzales, Gilberto Celestino, Malcom Nunez, and Matt Gorski. Both runs scored off the bat of Nunez. One came from his second homer of the year.
Cam Alldred got the start, giving up two runs in three innings of work. The Indianapolis bullpen saw six pitchers throw an inning each. Colin Holderman made his latest rehab appearance, throwing one inning and striking out two. Colin Selby threw a shutout inning, before being removed from the 40-man.
STATCAST HEROES
The leaders from the Indianapolis game. STATS
DAILY VIDEO RUNDOWN
Malcom Nunez hit his second home run of the season for Indianapolis.
Sheesh Malcom, that ball had a family. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/1nqcxNnMDj
— Indianapolis Indians (@indyindians) April 3, 2024
TODAY: PIRATES (5-0) AT NATIONALS (1-3)
Game Time: 6:45 PM EDT
Watch: SportsNet-PIT
Listen: KDKA-FM 93.7
Pirates Starter: Mitch Keller, RHP (0-0, 6.35)
Marlins Starter: Trevor Williams, RHP (0-0, -.–)
In the Minors…
Indianapolis takes on Memphis at 6:35 PM with LHP Michael Plassmeyer on the mound.
PIRATES PROSPECTS DAILY
Every Tuesday is the premium article drop, which can only be accessed by subscribers. This support makes this site possible year-round. This week, the top 50 prospect rankings made a return to the site after two years, with a focus on tiered rankings. Check out the links below.
Subscribe to Pirates Prospects Daily below for free, and get these Pittsburgh Pirates updates delivered to your inbox.
THIS WEEK ON PIRATES PROSPECTS
**2024 Pittsburgh Pirates Top 50 Tiered Rankings Version 1.0
The top 50 prospects in the Pittsburgh Pirates system, plus a few more, separated into tiered rankings to give you an idea of who could be starters and who could be depth.
**Indianapolis Will Provide Paul Skenes and Depth For the Pirates in 2024
Paul Skenes leads a group of prospects in Triple-A who will provide the Pirates with depth throughout the 2024 season.
**Altoona Features the Best Prospect Group in the Pirates System in 2024
The best prospect group, from the start of the year through the end of the year, will be found in Altoona.
**Greensboro is Loaded With Hitting Talent At the Start of the 2024 Season
The hitters at the top of the Greensboro prospect group will have fun hitting in that home park with zero outfield space.
**Bradenton Has One of The Best Upside Prospect Groups in Years
There’s a group of high upside players making their way to full-season ball, and it could be one of the best Single-A groups in years for the Pirates.
**Five Players in Rookie Ball Who You Should Watch in the Pirates System
Five players in rookie ball who stand out as some of the most promising options in the entire Pirates system.
SONG OF THE DAY
