Four Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects That Made An Impact This Spring

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This spring, there were four Pittsburgh Pirates prospects that left a lasting impression during there time in Major League camp.

There are many things about Spring Training that baseball fans love. With the start of Spring Training, baseball returns. When baseball returns, that means we are getting closer to being able to put the doldrums of winter behind us and look ahead to summertime.

Another thing that fans love about Spring Training is getting a glimpse at their favorite team’s top prospects. Every spring, MLB teams give many of their top prospects, especially those who are in the upper minors, opportunity to showcase their talents in Major League camp.

For many fans Spring Training is the first time they get an extended look at team’s top prospects. Watching these prospects in Spring Training and checking their stats in the box score can begin to create excitement among fans for these players’ futures. This holds a little extra weight when prospects are performing well in Spring Training.

In Major League camp for the Pittsburgh Pirates, a quartet of top prospects made a lasting impact before being sent back to minor league camp. Each of these four players will start the season at Triple-A Indianapolis, and each of them will have an opportunity to earn a Major League call up at some point this season.

BRADENTON, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 20: Ke’Bryan Hayes #77 of the Pittsburgh Pirates poses for a portrait during the Pittsburgh Pirates Photo Day on February 20, 2019 at Pirate City in Bradenton, Florida. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes

There were few players, prospect or otherwise, who had a better spring for the Pittsburgh Pirates than third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes. Hayes, the organization’s top hitting prospect, was recently re-assigned to minor league camp but he made a huge impression before being re-assigned. A strong argument can be made that Hayes was the breakout player of the spring for the Pirates.

In 23 Grapefruit League at bats Bryan collected eight hits, including a pair of home runs, he posted a .360 on-base percentage, and he had a total of seven extra base hits. In fact, Hayes’ seven extra base hits was the most in the Grapefruit League when he was re-assigned to minor league camp.

On top of hitting the ball well, Hayes also played excellent defense at the hot corner. This, however, should come as no surprise. Throughout his minor league career Hayes has been viewed as a player that is a future Gold Glove Award winner at third base.

Throughout his time in MLB camp Hayes continued to flash the power that he started to develop last season. Hayes has all the tools to be a future superstar at the MLB level.

Hayes will begin the season at Triple-A Indianapolis. This will be his first taste of the Triple-A level. So, he will need time, seasoning, and at bats with the Indians. That said, do not rule out a September call up for Hayes if he performs well at Triple-A this season.

BRADENTON, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 20: Will Craig #75 of the Pittsburgh Pirates poses for a portrait during the Pittsburgh Pirates Photo Day on February 20, 2019 at Pirate City in Bradenton, Florida. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

First baseman Will Craig

With the 22nd overall selection in the 2016 MLB Draft the Pittsburgh Pirates selected Will Craig. The Wake Forest Demon Deacon first baseman came with plenty of question marks, and many people viewed the pick as a bit of a head scratcher.

Craig was viewed as a good, not great, hitter whose future may be as a designated hitter. For these reasons, the Pirates spending a first round pick on Craig appeared to be a risky move. There were questions about his power as well.

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During his time at Low-A and High-A in 2016 and 2017 Craig slashed .274/.386/.368 with a 129 wRC+. While his on-base percentage and 12.6% walk rate were both healthy, Craig continued to have issues hitting for power. On top of slugging just .368, he hit just 8 home runs to go with an abysmal .095 ISO.

However, in 2018 Craig started to turn a corner. In his first year at the Double-A level Craig’s power exploded. 20 home runs, 53 extra base hits, a .448 slugging percentage, and a .220 ISO late, Craig was emerging as a legitimate first base prospect.

Prior to being re-assigned to minor league camp, Craig logged 23 at bats in 15 Grapefruit League games. Craig slashed .304/.393/.391 for the Pirates this spring. He drew four walks, struck out eight times, and collected 5 RBI.

Like Hayes, Craig will make his Triple-A debut by starting the season with Indianapolis. Also like Hayes, he needs to prove his power from 2018 was not a fluke. If he does this, Pirate fans could see Craig in Pittsburgh in 2019. He could also turn himself into a great trade chip, assuming Josh Bell turns into the hitter the Pirates expect him to be.

BRADENTON, FLORIDA – FEBRUARY 20: Jason Martin #51 of the Pittsburgh Pirates poses for a portrait during the Pittsburgh Pirates Photo Day on February 20, 2019 at Pirate City in Bradenton, Florida. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) /

Outfielder Jason Martin

Starting pitcher Joe Musgrove made a huge impact for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2018. On top of pitching well (3.59 FIP, 2.1 fWAR) Musgrove’s fiery attitude and hustle on the field quickly made him a fan favorite as well. While Musgrove’s impact has already been felt, outfielder Jason Martin may be the next player from the Gerrit Cole trade to make an impact for the Pirates.

At just 23-years-old, Martin will begin the year as the starting center fielder at Triple-A. This comes after Martin reached the Triple-A level for the first time in the 2018 season. When the season begins, Martin will be carrying a ton of momentum with him.

During his time in MLB camp Martin caught the attention of Pirate brass and manager Clint Hurdle. In 12 games, Martin slashed .304/.304/.739 with two home runs, two triples, and he played stellar outfield defense. Martin’s speed was also on display with a pair of stolen bases.

The left-handed hitting Martin will be looking to improve upon his results at Triple-A from last season. In 2018, Martin slashed just .211/.270/.319 with a 22.2% strikeout rate in his first taste of Triple-A action. This spring Martin talked about being more confident than last season and how he believes that will make a big difference for him this season. If Grapefruit League play was any indication, the new found confidence is paying off for the young outfielder.

Martin will be on the doorstep on the Majors when the regular season begins. Barring any major struggles or injuries at Triple-A, Pirate fans can expect to see Martin playing in Pittsburgh at some point in 2019.

SURPRISE, AZ – NOVEMBER 03: AFL West All-Star, Cole Tucker #2 of the Pittsburgh Pirates warms up before the Arizona Fall League All Star Game at Surprise Stadium on November 3, 2018 in Surprise, Arizona. (Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images) /

Shortstop Cole Tucker

As Opening Day looms, shortstop is a bit of a mess for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Neither Erik Gonzalez nor Kevin Newman appear to be capable of playing shortstop on a daily basis at the MLB level. However, one of the two are going to win the job.

Luckily for the Pirates and their fans, shortstop should not be a problem spot much longer. The reason for that is Cole Tucker.

The former first round draft pick has always been a Gold Glove caliber shortstop. In fact, Tucker could probably win a Gold Glove at shortstop right now. However, his bat has always lagged behind.

Over the course of the past nine months Tucker’s bat has started to come along. After finishing the 2018 season with two strong months at the Double-A level, Tucker then had a strong offensive showing in the Arizona Fall League.

Tucker’s offensive momentum then rolled into Spring Training. Tucker played in 12 Grapefruit League games before being optioned to Triple-A. In these 12 games Tucker slashed .389/.450/.889 with two home runs, a double, and a triple.

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2019 will be a big season for Tucker. He will begin the season as the starting shortstop at the Triple-A level, and, in his first taste of Triple-A action, he needs to continue to improve offensively. If Tucker hits well at Triple-A and Gonzalez and Newman struggle, it is not out of the realm of possibility that we see Tucker manning shortstop for the Pirates at some point in 2019.

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