Pirates Top 30 Prospects No. 8: Sammy Stafura Offers Speed, Defense; Can Bat Fully Emerge Too?
This is one in a series of stories breaking down PBN’s Top 30 Pittsburgh Pirates prospects.
In a largely underwhelming trade deadline for the Pittsburgh Pirates, the decision to trade Ke’Bryan Hayes to the Cincinnati Reds was arguably the best move.
Not only did the Pirates get needed salary relief by getting Hayes’ contract off the books, but they also landed Sammy Stafura, who gives the organization three shortstops in the top 10 of our top 30 prospects list.
Stafura was selected by the Reds in the second round of the 2023 draft out of high school in New York and signed an over-slot deal valued just short of $2.5 million.
Stafura got off to a sluggish start in the Arizona Complex League in 2023 but had a much better showing in his first professional season the following year.
He started the 2024 season back in the ACL, where he slashed .345/.449/.582 with three doubles, two triples, two home runs, 17 RBI and four stolen bases in 15 games before he was promoted to Low-A Daytona.
Stafura spent the rest of the 2024 season with Daytona and hit .255 with a .374 on-base percentage, a .754 OPS, 10 doubles, four triples, six home runs, 37 RBI and 27 stolen bases in 78 games.
The Reds kept Stafura in Daytona for the 2025 season and he continued to perform well. In 89 games prior to getting traded to Pittsburgh, Stafura, a right-handed hitter, slashed .261/.392/.410 with 18 doubles, nine triples, four home runs, 48 RBI and 28 steals.
After joining the Pirates, Stafura was initially sent to Low-A Bradenton before he was promoted to High-A Greensboro after just four games.
Having already matched his career-high for games played, perhaps fatigue got the the 20-year-old to end the season. Stafura fizzled out once he reached Greensboro and hit just .160 with a .512 OPS in 26 games.
Stafura brings speed and defense to the Pirates’ system. He possesses excellent speed, a strong arm and the ability to stick at shortstop. For his career, he’s been successful 85% of the time when attempting to steal a base.
At the plate, Stafura has the ability to get on base with a 14.6% walk rate, but he’s also struck out in over a quarter of his plate appearances.
If he’s able to cut down on the strikeouts without sacrificing his patience at the plate and can add some power, Stafura’s skillset would be even more appealing as a well-rounded player. Expect him to start next season back at Greensboro.
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