What makes a player a prospect?
Prospects are ultimately players who have the chance to play in the Major Leagues one day. As a player gets closer to the big leagues, their prospect status is dependent on the reality of that goal being accomplished. When a player is first starting his career, the “prospect” status can hinge on a few tools, or small showings of promise that can be built upon.
At the Single-A level, most of the prospects are going to be sleepers, wild cards, or lottery tickets. There will be players from the current Bradenton Marauders roster who eventually reach the majors. As of right now, their path to the big leagues is uncertain.
What we know today are the tools that get these players their prospect label. To play in Single-A, you need to have displayed good results in rookie ball, while showing at least one MLB-quality attribute that can be developed upon. As a result, each player at this level should have at least a visible hypothetical path to the big leagues.
Below are five players who have stood out to me from this year’s Bradenton roster.
THIS WEEK ON PIRATES PROSPECTS
This week’s premium article drop for Patreon subscribers looks at players in Single-A with the Bradenton Marauders. Like every other level, this group is highlighted by interesting pitchers. There are also some hitters to follow on the position player side, which I broke down in my premium column.
**Williams: Pirates Prospects Sleepers to Follow in Single-A – READING
Michael Kennedy was an over-slot prep pick in the fourth round of the 2022 draft. The lefty is in his first full-season league in pro ball, and showed promise this past weekend with an eight strikeout performance.
**Michael Kennedy Shows Path to Big Leagues With Eight Strikeout Performance
Khristian Curtis has a six pitch mix, despite not having a lot of time on the mound in his pitching career. The Pirates gave him an over-slot bonus as a 12th rounder last year, giving them the chance to develop his arsenal.
**Khristian Curtis Features Big Stuff From a Six Pitch Mix
Carlson Reed is showing promise in his early results with Bradenton. The West Virginia draftee has a 2.45 ERA in his first three starts this year, after being taken in the fourth round last year.
**West Virginia Pitcher Carlson Reed is Off to a Great Start With the Pirates
Relievers aren’t usually prospects in the lower levels, but Magdiel Cotto is a lefty who can get his fastball up to 95. The Pirates went over-slot on him in the 11th round last year, and he’s showing good results as a reliever in the 2024 season.
**Magdiel Cotto is an Over-Slot Lefty With a Fastball That Gets Up to 95
The Pirates traded for Connor Oliver at the start of the season, getting something in return for Colin Selby. This marks his sixth different organization since the start of 2020, with hopes that the Pirates can develop the lefty into an MLB option.
**Connor Oliver Remains on the Move With Trade to Pirates
