4 Prospects Flying Under the Radar in Pirates’ Organization
There’s no shortage of potential star power in the Pittsburgh Pirates’ minor-league system. I know, I know, who cares about a future that never comes to fruition. But humor me for a few minutes.
2024 first-rounder Konnor Griffin is the top prospect in baseball. Right-hander Bubba Chandler is arguably the top pitching prospect in baseball and looked good in his first taste of the big leagues. Seth Hernandez, Pittsburgh’s first-round pick in this year’s draft, was considered one of the top prep pitching prospects ever.
While there are a handful of notable names at the top of the rankings, there are some others who don’t have the same level of fanfare who you might want to keep an eye on. These four prospects did not crack our top 30 list.
RHP Brandan Bidois
Frankly, I’m a little surprised Bidois didn’t get a look in Pittsburgh to end the season.
The 24-year-old made 40 appearances — totaling 61 innings — across four different levels in 2025. His stats will wow you.
Bidois went a perfect 8-0 with a 0.74 ERA (5er/61ip) and allowed just 22 hits with 27 walks and 67 strikeouts while converting seven saves. But most impressive of all? From July 29 to Sep. 9, Bidois retired 64 consecutive batters without allowing a hit.
1B/DH Tony Blanco Jr.
Blanco looks like he can play for the Steelers, but it’s another Pittsburgh professional sports team he hopes to one day be part of.
The 6-foot-7, 247-pound masher played in just 30 games (28 with Low-A Bradenton and two with High-A Greensboro) but managed to hit eight home runs and drove in 23 runs on some thunderous swings.
Strikeouts are a concern, and he’s limited to either first base or designated hitter, but the 20-year-old has more power potential than anyone else in the system.
LHP Reinold Navarro
The Pirates signed Navarro out of the Dominican Republic last January and he showed a lot of promise — and the same level of wildness — during his 2025 campaign.
Navarro totaled 15 appearances/12 starts between the Florida Complex League and Bradenton and finished with a 5.34 ERA. The good? In 32 innings, he yielded only 10 hits — yes, you read that right — and struck out 61 batters. The bad? He walked issued 40 walks.
The left-hander already has two impressive pitches with his fastball and slider. If he’s able to find some command, he has some serious potential. Navarro doesn’t turn 19 years old until later this month, so it’s not out of the question to see him improve in that department as he matures.
INF Johan De Los Santos
De Los Santos was the biggest splash of last year’s international class, signing with the Pirates for $2.25 million. He’s the younger brother of Yordany De Los Santos, who is also a Pirate prospect.
The 17-year-old played in 44 games in the Dominican Summer League this season, his first taste of professional baseball. He finished the year with a healthy .353/.451/.460 batting line, nine doubles, three triples, 27 RBI and 34 stolen bases. In 174 plate appearances, he drew 27 walks and only struck out 13 times.
De Los Santos is an above-average runner with an above-average arm and an advanced hitting approach for a 17-year-old. It would not surprise me at all to see him climb the Pirates’ top 30 list as he continues his career.
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