Pittsburgh Pirates: Examining MLB Pipeline’s 2020 Top 30 List

(Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
(Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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Two International Signings

The two names that are likely the most unfamiliar on the updated list are third baseman Alexander Mojica and outfielder Rodolfo Nolasco.  Both are teenage prospects who the Pittsburgh Pirates signed out of Latin America as amateurs.  Mojica is just 17 years of age while Nolasco is 18, both throw and bat right-handed.

The Bucs signed Mojica to a deal around $390,000 back during the 2018-2019 signing period.  The third baseman impressed in his professional debut.  The 6’1” 195 pounds does not turn 18 until the beginning of August but showed one of the most advanced approaches in the Dominican Summer League.

He played in 55 games and hit an outstanding .355 with an even more impressive .468 OBP and .580 slugging.  He had 23 extra-base hits including 14 doubles, eight home runs, and a triple.  Also, something even more impressive for such a young player is that he walked (37) more than he struck out (34).

Rodolfo Nolasco also made his professional debut in 2019.  The 6’1” and 175-pound outfielder is also a right-handed hitter.  Like Mojica, he was one of the team’s more notable signings from the 2018-2019 International Signing period receiving a $235,000 signing bonus.  The Pittsburgh Pirates signed him out of the Dominican Republic.

Nolasco has already made that investment look good, batting .320/.373/.472 in 54 games.  He did not hit for as much power as Mojica, but he did swat 21 extra-base hits with five of them being home runs.  However, Nolasco did show just as good of plate discipline, if not better, by only striking out 26 times while taking 16 walks.