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The Pittsburgh Pirates' story has been one of imbalance. This is the club that employs Paul Skenes, the best pitcher in the sport, and a host of other young and talented arms that are enough to make any franchise drool. And yet, this is also a team that, in 2025, looked historically bad on offense at various points in the season.
With a 3.76 team ERA that ranked seventh in the majors and a .655 OPS that ranked dead last, it's amazing to imagine where the Pirates could be if they had a little balance. While Pittsburgh has done a good job attacking that at the big league level, bringing in guys like Brandon Lowe and Ryan O'Hearn, what's going on down in the minors is even more encouraging.
Pittsburgh's top prospect list is still littered with a ton of high-potential arms. Bubba Chandler hasn't yet lost his prospect eligibility. Hunter Barco is also knocking on the door. Further on down the line, Seth Hernandez threatens to draw a ton of buzz when he makes his pro debut in 2026.
However, balance is being attained at the minor league level, and two young Pirates hitters accomplished something in 2025 that no other minor league batter could attain.
Pirates' prospects Konnor Griffin and Edward Florentino were the only two minor league hitters to achieve this incredible feat in 2025
When it comes to stat stuffing, no minor league hitter was better than the Pirates' blue chippers, Konnor Griffin and Edward Florentino, in 2025. The duo were the only two batters in the entire minor leagues to post at least 15 homers, a minimum of 30 stolen bases, and a wRC+ of 155 or greater last season.
Let that sink in for a second. Only two hitters in all of the minor leagues accomplished that feat, and they are both members of the Pittsburgh organization.
There were two prospects in 2025 to have at least 15 HR, 30+ SB, and a wRC+ over 155:
— Running From The OPS (@OPS_BASEBALL) January 5, 2026
Konnor Griffin
Edward Florentino
Florentino is someone whom I have been very high on publicly for several months due to his above-average QoC, Pull Air contact profile, and great PD. pic.twitter.com/gF6ieygH2j
What this shows is that these youngsters possess the complete offensive package. They have power and speed, but also the contact and on-base ability to truly make an impact at the next level. The best part? They're both still teenagers!
Griffin's electrifying debut season saw him jump three levels, from Single-A Bradenton to Hi-A Greensboro to finishing the year at Double-A Altoona. Over the course of that dynamic run, he put up a combined line of .333/.415/.527 with 21 homers, 65 steals, and a 165 wRC+.
Florentino just turned 19 on November 11 and made his stateside debut last year after impressing in the DSL in 2024. Splitting time between the Florida Complex League and Bradenton, Florentino managed a .290/.400/.548 mark with 16 homers, 35 stolen bases, and a 159 wRC+.
According to Jeff Passan, Griffin will have a shot to win the opening day shortstop job in spring training, and even if he doesn't, a big league debut early on in the 2026 campaign feels inevitable. The fact that MLB executives are predicting a top-three NL Rookie of the Year finish for the dynamic shortstop tells you everything you need to know about his chances to impact the Pirates' lineup this year.
Florentino is further away, but he, too, could see his rise go into overdrive in 2025. These two aren't the only young hitters providing promise that brighter days are ahead for Pittsburgh's lineup. Arizona Fall League sensation Esmerlyn Valdez also put together an impressive regular season campaign, and with a .286/.376/.520 line, 26 homers, and a 155 wRC+, he missed becoming the third Pirate to reach this ridiculous threshold by virtue of stealing just three bases last season.
Even under-the-radar prospects like AFL Home Run Derby champ Tony Blanco Jr. have a chance to make a big leap in 2026. In other words, Pittsburgh's top two hitting prospects put together unfathomable tour de force campaigns in 2025 –– and behind them is an impressive crop of hitters that will soon add the much-needed balance to the major league roster.
If the Pirates commit to supporting these youngsters with veteran complementary pieces moving forward, just as they've started to do this winter, the rest of the league needs to be put on high alert. If all goes right, the Pirates could be looking really scary, very soon.