4 Under the Radar Prospects in Pirates’ Organization (+)
This time last year, the Pittsburgh Pirates had one of the game’s premier prospects in their minor league system in Paul Skenes. The 22-year-old has since graduated from his prospect status en route to potentially winning the 2024 National League Rookie of the Year.
Though the Pirates don’t currently have any other prospects of Skenes’ caliber in their farm system, there are players who are several standouts at the top of the list.
The Pirates have five prospects in MLB Pipeline’s top 100: Bubba Chandler (15th), Konnor Griffin (50th), Termarr Johnson (75th), Braxton Ashcraft (85th) and Thomas Harrington (91st).
Every organization in the league has a prospect or a few prospects who stand out above all the rest. The Pirates are no different.
However, every organization also has prospects flying under the radar — guys who are ranked towards the bottom or don’t appear at all on top prospects lists from the various outlets that specialize in minor league evaluations. Again, the Pirates are no exception.
While there are many prospects who could fit that description, here are four Pirates’ prospects who might be worth keeping an eye on.
RHP Mike Walsh
The 23-year-old Walsh was drafted by the Pirates out of Yale in the ninth round in 2022 and is coming off of a dominant season between Low-A Bradenton and High-A Greensboro.
In 30 relief appearances between the two levels, Walsh posted a sparkling 1.11 ERA and held opponents to a microscopic .168 batting average. In 40.2 innings, he only allowed one home run and 24 hits, walked 11 and struck out 38.
Walsh’s career in the Pirates’ organization got off to a slow start. In four appearances in 2022 after he was drafted, he allowed four runs and walked five in 3.1 innings. He began the 2023 season strong but only pitched in nine games before he was sidelined for the year with an injury.
But after returning to the mound this season and pitching as well as he did, the right-hander owns a career 1.86 ERA through 43 appearances.
LHP Inmer Lobo
The Pirates acquired Lobo from the Boston Red Sox two offseasons ago in a small trade which sent Hoy Park the other way. Now having pitched in three different seasons between his time with the Red Sox and Pirates, Lobo has yet to finish a season with an ERA over 2.00.
The 20-year-old started this season with the FCL Pirates before he was promoted to Bradenton and didn’t miss a beat. In 27 combined relief appearances and 46.1 innings, Lobo went a perfect 4-0 with a 1.75 ERA and five saves. Opponents hit a lowly .160 against him and Lobo racked up 50 strikeouts.
His career numbers are eye-popping. He has yet to lose any of his six decisions and has a 1.48 ERA with 53 hits allowed, 23 walks and 95 strikeouts in 85 innings.
C/1B Samuel Escudero
Like Lobo, Escudero was acquired by the Pirates in a minor trade. During the middle of the season in 2021, the Pirates sent outfielder Troy Stokes Jr. and right-hander Jandel Gustave to the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers to land him.
Escudero put together a strong season in 2023 and took a step forward this year in the Dominican Summer League. In 39 games, the 20-year-old hit .311 with a .410 on-base percentage and an .889 OPS with nine doubles, three homers, 34 RBIs and five steals. He only struck out 15 times in 145 plate appearances.
Defensively, Escudero split his time between catcher and first base. Behind the plate, he threw out 37% of attempted base stealers. At first base, he had a perfect 1.000 fielding percentage in 18 games.
OF/1B Edward Florentino
Florentino has a place on our top 30 Pirates prospects list at No. 27, but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see him skyrocket up the list by this time next year.
The Pirates signed Florentino out of the Dominican Republic for just under $400,000. It was a successful first professional season for Florentino, who doesn’t turn 18 until next month.
Florentino flashed a lot of desirable tools and ability. He slashed .260/.432/.459 with 10 doubles, two triples, five home runs, 28 RBIs and eight steals in the DSL. In the field, he recorded five outfield assists in only 27 games.
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