Earlier this month, I released the third version of my top 50 prospect rankings for the Pittsburgh Pirates system. I also quietly added a Rankings page to the site, where you can go to find the most up-to-date prospect rankings, along with all former versions of the list.
The MLB Draft was last week, with the Pirates selecting 21 players. They’ve already signed seven of their top ten round picks, and I’d expect them to sign all of the top ten rounders, as well as a majority of the 11th-20th round guys.
Version 4.0 of the prospect rankings will run at the start of August, following the MLB trade deadline. This week, I wanted to give a Version 3.1 update, showing where the newly drafted prospects would rank in the system.
I’ve got Bubba Chandler alone in tier one as the top prospect in the system. The newly added players begin in tier two.
TIER TWO: ABOVE-AVERAGE POTENTIAL
This tier includes Termarr Johnson, Braxton Ashcraft, and Thomas Harrington. It’s also joined by the ninth overall pick from the 2024 draft.
KONNOR GRIFFIN, SS/CF
CV: 20 | FV: 60 | MLB ETA: 2027 | FV ETA: 2028+ | Trend: NEW
There’s an argument to be made that Griffin is the second best prospect in this system. If you want to get optimistic about his potential, he’s got the chance for 70-grade speed, arm strength, power, and defense in center field. He has a chance to be a plus defender at either shortstop or center field. Griffin becomes the toolsiest player in the system once he signs. The downside is that his hit tool is a question, with average potential. If you prefer a hitter with a stronger hit tool who could add power, then there’s an argument that Termarr Johnson should go ahead of Griffin. I’d put Griffin ahead of Johnson, due to the strong chance of providing positive value at a premium defensive position, along with the elite power/speed potential. The two are ranked very close in my rankings, and above all the Pirates now have two top-100 level hitting prospects in their system.
TIER FIVE: SYSTEM DEPTH
Tiers 3 and 4 are for potential starters with lower risk that they’ll eventually reach the majors. The Pirates used a lot of their highest picks on prep players, which comes with some starter upside, but more risk. This draft boosted the system depth in the 17-30+ range of the system, with three players who could be on the rise in the future.
LEVI STERLING, RHP
CV: 20 | FV: 50 | MLB ETA: 2028 | FV ETA: 2029+ | Trend: NEW
