Pittsburgh Pirates top ten prospects for 2020

The Pittsburgh Pirates are stuck in a no man’s land, both at the major league and minor league level.

One of the worst places that any team can find themselves in is where the major league roster is bereft of talent, and the farm system is mediocre at best. For a team stuck in that situation, it can take years to work their way back to a potential postseason berth. Unless, of course, ownership opens the vaults, and simply buys the major league talent needed to contend.

That is a major part of why Ben Cherington was brought in as the Pittsburgh Pirates new general manager. Not only is he going to have to rebuild the major league roster, but he will need to develop a deeper farm system as well. Cherington certainly has the track record to do so – his tenure in Boston and Toronto coincided with dramatic improvements in both team’s minor league rankings.

There is some talent in the Pittsburgh farm system, and several of their former top prospects made their way to the majors last season. And there is tremendous upside in their remaining top prospects as well, as they had three players that were consensus top 100 prospects prior to the 2019 campaign. However, the minors still need an injection of talent for the Pirates to be able to build a sustainably contending franchise, as there are several questions about their remaining top prospects.

Let us take a look at those top ten prospects for the Pittsburgh Pirates, some of whom may be called upon to help at the major league level sooner than expected.

10. Cody Bolton

Minors (A+, AA): 101.2 innings, 8-6 record, 3.28 ERA, 1.043 WHiP, 30 walks, 102 strikeouts

It took two years, but the Pittsburgh Pirates were finally able to get a glimpse of what they have in Cody Bolton.

Selected in the sixth round of the 2017 MLB Draft, Bolton’s ascension through the minors has been slowed by injury. He has already had shoulder issues and was shut down in 2018 due to forearm tightness, making him a risky proposition. In fact, in his first two years of professional ball, Bolton appeared in a total of 18 games, hardly enough time to make an impression.

2019 was a different story. Healthy once more, he showed the talent that led the Pirates to sign him for an over slot bonus after he was drafted. He has two different fastballs, a four seamer and a two seamer, that sit between 90 and 95 MPH, with the two seamer having solid sink. While both his slider and change need work, he has displayed a feel for those pitches, especially when he began trusting his shoulder again.

Obviously, the biggest issue for Bolton is going to be his health. Those earlier shoulder issues are a major red flag, especially for a pitcher who has just one full season on his professional resume and has a somewhat funky delivery. However, he is considered a hard worker, and will put in the effort necessary to refine his craft. It is just a matter of whether or not his body will allow him to reach his potential.

Cody Bolton could be an interesting arm for the Pittsburgh Pirates in a couple of years, but he needs to prove he can handle the workload of a full season more than once.

9. Jared Oliva

Minors (AA): 507 plate appearances, .277/.352/.398, six homers, 24 doubles, 36 steals, 42 walks, 104 strikeouts

Jared Oliva gives the Pittsburgh Pirates organization an element they need – speed.

Undrafted out of high school, or as a redshirt sophomore, he was viewed upon as a raw power/speed prospect in the 2017 MLB Draft. The Pirates selected him in the seventh round that year, stopping his slide down the draft as they felt they had added an exciting player for the future.

While the power has not developed as hoped, the speed has been as advertised. That is not to say that Oliva is a slap hitter – he does have a solid gap to gap approach with respectable bat speed. He has refined his approach at the plate as well, improving his contact rates and showing a batter batting eye, although there is still work to be done there. Oliva’s speed is his best asset, which he utilizes well on the bases and in the outfield. That speed, combined with his plus athleticism, should ensure that he remains in center as he progresses.

The biggest key for Oliva will be to continue to refine his approach. He has improved his feel for contact, and has made several adjustments at the plate already to continue to unlock his potential. However, he will need to continue to make adjustments in order to become anything more than a fourth outfielder.

Jared Oliva could end up being a steal for the Pittsburgh Pirates. It will depend on how he continues to adjust as he progresses through the system.

8. Will Craig

Minors (AAA): 556 plate appearances, .249/.326/.435, 23 homers, 23 doubles, 44 walks, 146 strikeouts

It is difficult to see where Will Craig fits into the Pittsburgh Pirates future.

The Pirates went outside their comfort level when they selected Craig with the 22nd selection of the 2016 MLB Draft, as they typically pursued high school hitters. However, Craig’s offensive capabilities were too intriguing to bypass, as he could hit for power and a high average, while showing excellent on base skills.

That changed over the years. Craig has instead focused on the power aspect of his game, to the detriment of his overall hitting performance. The power could play at the major league level, but his change in approach has led to more strikeouts and a less discerning eye at the plate. Craig does not run well at all, and defensively, is limited to first base.

While that is the profile of a potential major league asset, Craig just does not fit with the Pirates. Josh Bell took that step forward last season, and is entrenched as the present and future at the position. Craig could be trade bait, but will need to show more of his all around game offensively to really bring a significant return back to Pittsburgh.

Will Craig is a man without much of a future with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Chances are, he will need to be shipped elsewhere to have a realistic look at the majors.

7. Oniel Cruz

Minors (RK, A+, AA): 292 plate appearances, .298/.356/.475, eight homers, 15 doubles, 11 steals, 24 walks, 74 strikeouts

The tools are there with Oneil Cruz. It is just a matter of the Pittsburgh Pirates prospect to get everything to fire at the same time.

Originally signed as an international free agent by the Dodgers, Cruz was acquired as part of the deal that sent Tony Watson to Los Angeles. An athletic specimen, Cruz tantalized with his potential, but was unable to get everything to click at the same time. That is, until 2019, when he began to show the type of player he could develop into.

Standing at 6’6″, there are questions as to whether or not he will outgrow short. However, he has continued to work on his defense, where his athleticism has helped him make strides with the glove. Cruz absolutely has the arm for the position, as he possesses a true cannon that may be the best at the position in all of baseball. Offensively, he has tremendous raw power that is starting to appear in game action, but still needs to continue to refine his approach at the plate.

Cruz is somewhat of an enigma. He has all the tools, but had not been able to put everything together. However, if he can continue to make adjustments offensively, he has the speed and arm to find a role in the majors. Even if he does not stick at short, he could be a solid option in a corner outfield spot, especially given his cannon and power potential.

If Oneil Cruz can put everything together, he could be a superstar in the making. Until then, he remains a tantalizing prospect in the Pittsburgh Pirates system.

6. Ji-Hwan Bae

Minors (A): 380 plate appearances, .323/.403/.430, 25 doubles, 31 steals, 43 walks, 77 strikeouts

In theory, Ji-Hwan Bae never should have been a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates.

He had originally signed with the Atlanta Braves as an international free agent, earning a $300,000 bonus. However, Bae was one of the 13 prospects set free by MLB as part of the Braves punishment for international signing violations. With the Pirates having extra money in their pool, they were able to sign Bae for a $1.2 million bonus before he had even played a game stateside.

The Braves loss has been the Pirates gain. While Bae is never going to be a power threat, he does have excellent hand-eye coordination and an excellent ability to make contact. Those contact skills will occasionally make Bae expand the zone, so he does need to work on his batting eye and learn how to work a count. Once he does, his tremendous speed can become even more of an asset, which also allows him to cover ground well at second and short.

If Bae can refine his approach at the plate, he has the makings of a solid leadoff hitter. Chances are, his future will be at second base, especially with Oneil Cruz and Cole Tucker in the organization, but he part of a dynamic double play combo in a few years.

Ji-Hwan Bae is a player to watch in the Pittsburgh Pirates system. As he continues to develop, he has the chance to be their leadoff hitter for years to come.

5. Quinn Priester

Minors (RK, A-): 36.2 innings, 3.19 ERA, 1.255 WHiP, 14 walks, 41 strikeouts

Quinn Priester could be the type of high school arm that quickly rises through the minors, reaching the major league level sooner than expected.

Selected by the Pittsburgh Pirates with the 18th overall pick in the 2019 MLB Draft, Priester became the first Illinois high school player taken in the first round since Mike Foltynewicz. He shot up the draft boards due to his pure stuff, and excellent fastball.

Priester actually throws two varieties of that heater. His four seam fastball sits in the mid 90s, and has been clocked as high as 97 MPH. His two seamer, which sits in the lower 90s, is the better of the two offerings, as it has excellent movement and sink. He throws a plus curve already, with tight spin and excellent depth. Priester also has a bit of a change, but it is a work in progress as he needs to develop better separation in velocity between his change and fastball.

Priester is a rarity in that he already had three plus pitches coming out of high school, considering the two different fastballs he throws. If that changeup can develop quickly, it would not be a surprise to see him rocket through the system. He gets high marks for his intellect and competitiveness on the mound, which should also allow his development to continue.

The Pittsburgh Pirates may have gotten one of the steals of the draft in taking Quinn Priester with the 18th overall selection. He has the potential to rise through the system quickly, and establish himself as a top of the rotation arm.

4. Calvin Mitchell

Minors (A+): 493 plate appearances, .251/.304/.406, 15 homers, 21 doubles, 32 walks, 142 strikeouts

If Calvin Mitchell is going to make an impact with the Pittsburgh Pirates, it will be due to his bat.

Selected in the second round of the 2017 MLB Draft, Mitchell was considered to be one of the best high school bats in the country as he headed into his senior year. However, his struggles during the spring, coupled with his defensive limitations, led to his falling down the draft board until the Pirates snagged him with the 50th overall selection.

Considered an excellent hitter, Mitchell has displayed a solid ability to put the barrel on the ball when he makes contact. However, his swing can be a bit slow at times, leading to his hitting balls the other way that should be driven to his pull side. That leaves him a bit susceptible to fastballs on the inner part of the plate as well. There is plenty of power potential in the bat, but it needs to be unlocked through adjustments in his swing and approach. Defensively, Mitchell is barely average, and is likely ticketed for left due to his mediocre arm.

For Mitchell to be able to make an impact at the major league level, he will need to ride his bat through the system. The raw tools are there for him to do just that, especially if he can unlock his potential power. But he will have to work on improving his bat speed and getting his hands through the zone quicker in order for that to happen.

Calvin Mitchell has a chance to make his presence felt with the Pittsburgh Pirates, but it may take a bit more time than expected.

2. Ke’Bryan Hayes

Minors (A-, AAA): 492 plate appearances, .261/.334/.411, ten homers, 31 doubles, 13 steals, 45 walks, 92 strikeouts

Charlie Hayes had a 14 year major league career, and spent part of the 1996 campaign with the Pittsburgh Pirates. His son, Ke’Bryan Hayes, figures to be in Pittsburgh for a lot more than 126 games.

While it seems as though the younger Hayes has been around as a prospect forever, he was not drafted that long ago. The 32nd pick of the 2015 MLB Draft, Hayes has slowly worked his way through the system, reaching AAA last year. A trek to the majors could be his next step as soon as next year.

Although Hayes always impressed with his approach at the plate, he has refined that approach over the years. His contact first strategy is still there, but he has been more patient and has displayed more power as his body continues to mature. Not only does he have solid speed which works well with his more line drive oriented swing, but he has excellent instincts on the basepaths as well. Defensively, he may be the best defensive third baseman in the minors, with his glove and arm showing the hallmarks of a possible Gold Glove winner.

The Pirates do not have much ahead of Hayes at the major league level. Colin Moran is still listed as the starter, but had lost his spot in the lineup several times over the years. Should Hayes have a strong showing in Spring Training, the hot corner could be his for the next decade.

Charlie Hayes had a solid career. Ke’Bryan Hayes could overshadow his father’s accomplishments in short order.

1. Mitch Keller

Minors (AAA): 103.2 innings, 7-5 record, 3.56 ERA, 1.244 WHiP, 35 walks, 123 strikeouts

Majors: 48 innings, 1-5 record, 7.13 ERA, 1.833 WHiP, 16 walks, 65 strikeouts

A consensus top 50 prospect for each of the past three seasons, the 2020 campaign will be important for Mitch Keller.

The Pittsburgh Pirates second round pick in the 2014 MLB Draft, Keller moved slowly through the system. He struggled with injuries in his second season in professional baseball, then had his breakout campaign in 2016. Since then, he has steadily climbed the ladder, showing the makings of a top of the rotation arm.

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The pure stuff is certainly there for Keller to fulfill his potential. His fastball, which sits in the mid 90s, can reach 98 MPH and has excellent sink. Keller’s curve has solid 11 to 5 break, and shows the makings of being a plus pitch. His changeup is still a work in progress, and could be the key to whether or not he can unlock his potential. However, he has worked on the offering, and does show a feel for his arsenal. With his solid command and willingness to work on his craft, Keller is the type of prospect that a team can dream on.

Keller has struggled before, then found his footing the following year. That was the case in AAA in 2018, when he posted a 4.82 ERA and a 1.548 WHiP in his 52.1 innings before showing he could handle the level in 2019. It is certainly possible that the same happens with the Pirates in 2020, as he is likely to break camp as part of the Pittsburgh rotation. If the Pirates have any hope of contending in the coming season, they will need Keller to fulfill his promise sooner rather than later. Refining his changeup will go a long way towards that happening.

Mitch Keller could be a top of the rotation starter for the Pittsburgh Pirates. They will need him to live up to that potential.