A Potential Blockbuster Trade for the Pittsburgh Pirates

Joey Bart

Image courtesy of MiLB.com.

Catching help

The biggest need for the Pirates is at the position of catcher, both on the Major League roster and in the farm system. That is why the headliner of this trade is the Giants #1 prospect, who also happens to be a catcher, Joey Bart. Bart is a slightly older prospect at the age of 22 who is currently list as the #19 overall prospect and #2 catching prospect in the Majors. I believe that the Giants are willing to sell on that price for Bart, especially because Buster Posey is still under contract for the next few years. Bart definitely has upside at the plate with a .278/.328/.495/.824 slash and 16 home runs over 313 plate appearances at single and Double-A (though mostly at High-A). Bart would fit perfectly into the Pirates’ timeline to compete as he will most likely need almost 2 more full years before making it to the Big Leagues.

The Pirates need quality over quantity moving forward, and that is why the team is willing to risk trading so much for mostly Bart. However, the team should hope that the second piece in this trade eventually makes the Big Leagues as well. Sean Hjelle is the Giants #6 prospect and is currently a starting pitcher as he works his way through the minors – he is not currently rated in the MLB’s top 100 prospects or top pitching prospects.

Hjelle is truly an interesting prospect, drafted in the 2nd round of the 2018 draft. He is 6’11”, 22 years old, doesn’t rely on a power fastball, and throws a knuckle curve. Hjelle owns a 3.32 ERA at mostly low and high A as a starter, with a decent walk to strikeout ratio of 37 to 139. Even though Hjelle has a large frame, scouts claim that his control is still above average for his age and development track. Hjelle is projected to be a back-end starter or a relief arm, with middle of the rotation upside. Once again, his development timeline would match Bart’s and would fit well in the Pirates’ farm system.

The final piece in the trade coming over from the Giants is Grant McCray. McCray is an extremely young outfield prospect at the age of 19 and is currently the #24 prospect in the Giants system. McCray’s strengths are his speed and defensive potential, while his bat is relatively unknown. McCray was selected in the 3rd round of the 2019 draft and only has 185 plate appearances so far in the minors.

All three of these pieces, while relatively young, could eventually make an impact at the Big League level. Therefore, the Pirates obviously will owe the Giants some great players in return. Let’s dive a bit deeper into what the Giants would receive in this deal.