Pirates Minor League Previews: Seth Hernandez to Make Professional Debut, Players to Watch
Pittsburgh Pirates top minor-league affiliate Triple-A Indianapolis is already five games into their season. Pittsburgh Baseball Now did a breakdown ahead of last week’s opener, which can be found here.
It’s been a slow start for the 0-5 Indians but there are several players who came out hot to begin the year, including top prospect Konnor Griffin.
Griffin has a five-game hitting streak to begin his Triple-A career and is 7 for 16 (.438) with a 1.196 OPS, three doubles, one RBI, three steals and five walks against only four strikeouts.
On Thursday, Double-A Altoona, High-A Greensboro and Low-A Bradenton will all begin their 2026 seasons. Here are a handful of players worth watching at each level with a top prospect set to make his professional debut.
Double-A Altoona
Altoona begins its season at home against Harrisburg with right-hander Khristian Curtis on the mound. Curtis, a 12th-round pick of the Pirates out of Arizona State in the 2023 MLB Draft, is a potential sleeper prospect despite some attention as the organization’s No. 23 prospect per MLB Pipeline.
Curtis made 26 starts with the Greensboro Grasshoppers in the hitter-friendly South Atlantic League last year and went 8-5 with a 3.90 ERA. In 110.2 innings, he allowed 91 hits (12 home runs), walked 46 and struck out 119. He also made a lone appearance with Altoona in which he tossed two perfect innings.
While Curtis headlines the Curve’s pitching staff there are several positions players worth keeping tabs on this season.
Catcher Omar Alfonzo played in 49 games at Double-A last year after a promotion from High-A. While with Greensboro, Alfonzo hit .261 with an .829 OPS, 11 home runs and 34 RBI in 67 games.
Many feel infielder Duce Gourson is flying under the radar after a fine season split between Greensboro and Altoona a year ago. Combined between the two levels, the 23-year-old slashed .275/.370/.439 with 21 doubles, two triples, 10 home runs, 38 RBI and 31 steals in 95 games.
Fellow infielder Jack Brannigan’s ’25 season was cut short with a labrum injury and his ’26 season will be delayed after taking a ground ball to the face in spring training. But the Pirates added the 2022 third-round pick out of Notre Dame to the 40-man roster this offseason and have high hopes for him.
Finally, first baseman Callan Moss will look to pick up right where he left off after the Pirates acquired him from the Kansas City Royals in the Bailey Falter trade. After joining the organization, Moss hit .339 with a .993 OPS, eight doubles and six home runs in 30 games with Greensboro.
High-A Greensboro
Most of the higher-upside players on Greensboro’s roster will be in the lineup, including top 100 prospect Edward Florentino.
Florentino, who will begin the season on the 7-day injured list with an ankle injury, is ranked as the game’s 26th-best prospect by Baseball America and No. 50 by MLB Pipeline. The outfielder raked in the FCL and earned a promotion to Bradenton, where he played in 54 games and slashed .262/.380/.503 with 17 doubles, 10 home runs, 36 RBI and 29 stolen bases.
Slugger Tony Blanco Jr. will look to take advantage of the favorable hitting conditions in the league. The 6-foot-7 Blanco only appeared in 30 games last year but hit seven home runs and posted a .500 slugging percentage. Hopefully the buildings surrounding Greensboro’s stadium have a good deal on window replacements.
A pair of highly-regarded infield prospects will also be on display with the Grasshoppers this season. Wyatt Sanford, the Pirates’ second-round pick in 2024, is a very strong defensive shortstop and was better than advertised with the bat. Sammy Stafura, acquired in the trade that sent Ke’Bryan Hayes to the Cincinnati Reds last deadline, is also a strong defender but will start the year on the IL.
Right-hander Carlos Castillo will start Thursday’s opener at Greenville.
Low-A Bradenton
After hitting 102 mph in the Spring Breakout game, the anticipation to see 2025 first-rounder Seth Hernandez has grown even more. Fans won’t have to wait long to get eyes on the Pirates third-best prospect as he will start for the Marauders on Opening Day at Dunedin.
Expectations are high for Hernandez, who is ranked inside the top 40 by both MLB Pipeline and Baseball America. In addition to his lethal fastball, the 19-year-old has a strong pitch mix which includes a curveball, slider and changeup that are all considered above-average offerings or better.
Fellow 2025 draftee Murf Gray, a potential power-hitting third baseman, will also make his professional debut with Bradenton. The Pirates selected Gray in the second round of last year’s draft out of Fresno State.
Right-handers Levi Sterling, Zander Mueth and David Matoma are among the other notable pitchers on the roster while catcher Edgleen Perez is another top 30 prospects in the organization.
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