Pirates Top 30 Prospects No. 27: What Does Future Hold for Jack Brannigan After Lost Season?
This is one in a series of stories breaking down PBN’s Top 30 Pittsburgh Pirates prospects.
Jack Brannigan had a 2025 he’d like to forget.
The 24-year-old started the season with the Altoona Curve, his first taste of Double-A. It was an unspectacular season for Brannigan, who slashed just .225/.329/.358 with eight doubles, two triples, five home runs, 30 RBI and nine stolen bases.
Before Brannigan could try and turn around his season, his year was cut short. The University of Notre Dame product underwent season-ending surgery to repair the labrum in his right shoulder in July.
Although he struggled in 2025, Brannigan had a fine season a year ago. In 77 games with High-A Greensboro in 2024, Brannigan posted a .238/.344/.490 batting line with 15 doubles, two triples, 18 home runs 53 RBI and 12 stolen bases.
Those numbers are more on par with his career batting line of .245/.356/.454 in four seasons after the Pirates selected him in the third round of the 2022 draft.
Brannigan has a power, speed and defense. He’s an above-average runner with an above-average glove and a plus arm that plays well from the left side of the infielder, where he’s spent the majority of his career. He’s totaled 114 games games at third base, 109 at shortstop and 22 games at second base.
But there are also some concerns despite an appealing skillset. For his career, Brannigan has struck out in more than 27% of his plate appearances. Despite an ability to get on base and hit for some power, the Chicago-native hasn’t hit for average since finishing the 2023 season at a .275 clip.
Altoona is the true test to gauge a prospect’s offensive upside given that the South Atlantic League in which High-A Greensboro plays is notoriously hitter-friendly. In his first showing in Double-A’s Eastern League, Brannigan finished with a pedestrian 103 wRC+.
Age isn’t on his side either. Brannigan will be 25 years old come the start of next year’s minor-league season.
2026 will be a big year for our No. 27 Pirates’ prospect. If he’s able to cut down on the strikeouts and have a better showing offensively, he could be someone in discussions to get a chance in the big leagues. But if he shows more of what he did prior to getting hurt this past season, he likely won’t be in the top 30 this time next year.
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