Pirates Farm System
Pirates Top 30 Prospects No. 21: Jhonny Severino Finds Power Stroke

This is one in a series of stories breaking down PBN’s Top 30 Pittsburgh Pirates prospects.
When the Pittsburgh Pirates shipped first baseman Carlos Santana to the division-rival Milwaukee Brewers leading up to the 2023 trade deadline, they landed 18-year-old infielder Jhonny Severino, who had been playing in the Arizona Complex League.
At the time, Severino didn’t have much experience or a notable prospect status attached to his name, but the Pirates saw something they liked despite only just beginning his professional career.
Severino’s time with the Pirates was quickly halted with a broken hamate bone after only three games with the FCL Pirates.
The native of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, returned to the field this season back in the Florida Complex League and didn’t shown any signs of rust. In 56 games, Severino slashed .291/.373/.545 with 12 doubles, three triples, 10 home runs, 41 RBIs and 12 steals.
His strong performance resulted in a promotion to the Low-A Bradenton Marauders at the end of July. Some of his offensive numbers took a step back after he was bumped up a level, but his power didn’t vanish.
Though he hit just .237 with a .285 on-base percentage, Severino slugged an impressive .500. 15 of his 27 hits across 28 games with the Marauders went for extra-bases. Six of those 15 extra-base hits left the yard.
The improved results for the 6-foot-2 right-handed hitter are an encouraging sign as power is something that is lacking among the Pirates’ top position player prospects. Even if Severino ends up as a third baseman down the line — a position he saw more time at this season — his power will play well at the hot corner if he’s able to sustain it.
He doesn’t turn 20 years old until next month, so Severino should continue to develop his power as he matures physically.
One potential area of concern is his drastic jump in strikeouts after his promotion. Severino struck out in 30% of his plate appearances after a much more manageable 15.9% clip in the FCL.
But given his youth, Severino’s ceiling is as high as any hitting prospect in the Pirates’ minor league system. His power offers a good shot in the arm for a farm system that needed a jolt in that department.