In yesterday’s column, I broke down the 2024 Pittsburgh Pirates, identifying the players on their roster who profile as above-average starters, average starters, fringe-average options, and bench/bullpen players. A full MLB season requires far more than 26 players filling these roles. The only way to win is to have quality depth.
Today’s look at the Pirates’ system dips down to Triple-A, seeing what type of depth they have to work with the rest of the season. There are a few potential starters, and a group of players who can help in the event of injuries to the big league squad.
Above-Average Potential (55+ FV)
After the promotion of Paul Skenes, the Pirates’ Triple-A roster was left without any players who project as above-average producers. There are four players on the current roster who could help the Pirates this year as potential starters.
Potential Starters (50 FV)
The first three players in this group have all gotten a chance in the majors, but each have shown issues that have kicked them down to Triple-A. I’ve had all three players rated in the past with above-average or better potential. I’m not ruling that out as a possibility with any of the players below. Right now, projecting them as potential average starters seems appropriately conservative.
For perspective, I would have had Nick Gonzales in this list prior to his promotion. He jumped up to the 45+ Current Value grade in the MLB breakdown. I’d put these players in the same spot if they were promoted. The minor league looks are focused on a realistic Future Value.
Quinn Priester, RHP – The first round pick in 2019 is only in his age 23 season, so Priester has plenty of time to stick in a Major League rotation. In 27 innings this year with Pittsburgh, he put up a 4.33 ERA, but a 6.36 FIP. Priester doesn’t feature dominant stuff, with a 5.67 K/9. His curveball has potential for strikeouts. The biggest issue has been a visible lack of confidence on the mound, with Priester showing a tendency to let the game speed him up. He hasn’t shown the confidence or drive needed to take control of an opposing big league lineup. That requires confidence in his stuff, in all situations.
Henry Davis, C – Davis got a shot at catcher in the big leagues this year, batting .162/.280/.206 with zero home runs in 83 plate appearances. He’s since been hitting for power in Triple-A, batting .279/.456/.628 with four homers in 57 plate appearances, heading into Wednesday’s action. A lot of that production has come in the last week. Davis could get another shot behind the plate in the majors, but his value ultimately relies upon his bat. He’ll need to hit his way back to the big leagues, and that might be best at another position that won’t divide his attention away from offense. With Endy Rodriguez and Joey Bart in the system, there’s a good argument that Davis is the third best long-term catching option. Bart is also an example of how you might not want to write off a high draft pick like Davis so early. Is the goal for Davis to be a power hitting catcher immediately, or is the goal for Davis to be a power hitter who could eventually catch? The Pirates seem to be going for both at the same time.
