Pirates

Pirates Prospect Watch: The Spring Standouts

Published

1 year ago

March 14, 2023

A number of top Pittsburgh Pirates’ prospects including Endy Rodriguez and Nick Gonzales have seen their fair share of game action so far this spring training.

While Rodriguez and Gonzales have garnered a lot of the attention when it comes to Pirates’ prospects in camp, they are not the only ones who have made meaningful contributions. There are plenty of prospects who have impressed this spring on both the position player and pitching side of things.

The majority of these farmhands are on the cusp of reaching the big leagues. Once the 2023 season starts, the Pirates will be counting on the contributions from several of their prospects to help the team take a step forward in the win column after back-to-back 100-loss seasons.

Here are some of those prospects who have been performing so far this spring.

2B Nick Gonzales – .375/.444/.563, 6 for 16, one home run, two RBIs, three runs, 12 games

This is a big year for the 2020 first-round pick and he has made the most of his opportunities so far this spring.

C/INF/OF Endy Rodriguez – .333/.333/.533, 5 for 15, three doubles, one RBI, four runs, nine games

Rodriguez figures to reach the big leagues at some point in 2023 and could see action behind the plate and/or at multiple other positions across the diamond. He’s considered to be arguably the top Pirates’ prospect.

OF Travis Swaggerty – .294/.333/.647, 5 for 17, two home runs, five RBIs, five runs, 11 games

Swaggerty is trying to win a roster spot amongst a crowded mix of outfielders and has put himself in a better position to do so thanks to his performance.

INF Drew Maggi – .500/.533/1.071, 7 for 14, two doubles, two home runs, six RBIs, five runs, one steal, 12 games.

Maggi is 33 years old and is still looking for his first shot in the big leagues. He’s had an outstanding spring. What a cool story that would be.

RHP Carmen Mlodzinski – 1-0, 0.00 ERA, 5.1 innings, no runs, one hit, two walks, five strikeouts, four appearances

Mlodzinski was another high draft pick of the Pirates in 2020 and the right-hander has been just about untouchable in his four games.

RHP Cody Bolton – 0-0, 0.00 ERA, 3.0 innings, no runs, no hits, no walks, five strikeouts, three appearances

Bolton hasn’t allowed a hit or walked a batter through his first three frames of the spring and has looked great in his new relief role.

LHP Jose Hernandez – 0-0, 7.20 ERA, 5.0 innings, seven hits, five runs (four earned), one walk, seven strikeouts, five appearances

One of the newest Pirates’ prospects, Hernandez has shown flashes this spring despite his inflated ERA. The Rule 5-pick features a power sinker and a good looking slider.