Pittsburgh Pirates: Three Prospects Who Could Debut in 2021

Feb 20, 2019; Bradenton, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Blake Weiman (82) poses for a photo on photo day at Pirate City. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 20, 2019; Bradenton, FL, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Blake Weiman (82) poses for a photo on photo day at Pirate City. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement-USA TODAY Sports /
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Outfielder Travis Swaggerty

With the 10th overall pick in the 2018 MLB Draft, the Pittsburgh Pirates selected outfielder Travis Swaggerty out of the University of South Alabama. Entering the draft there were many people who viewed Swaggerty as possibly the best college bat in the draft. In the eyes of many, landing him at 10th overall was a bit of a steal for the Pirates.

The left-handed hitting Swaggerty quickly made an impact the professional level by hitting for a .288/.365/.453 slash line and a 140 wRC+ with the West Virginia Power of the South Atlantic League in 158 plate appearances in 2018.

For the 2019 season, Swaggerty made the jump to the High-A level. After a sluggish start, he finished the season strong for the Bradenton Marauders. When the season was over, he finished with a .265/.347/.381 slash line and a 120 wRC+ in Bradenton.

Had there been a minor league season in 2020, Swaggerty would have likely start the year wtih Double-A Altoona. With a strong performance, he may have been able to reach the Tirple-A level before the end of the season. As we discussed here shortly after the coronavirus shutdown began, Swaggerty was one of the players in the Pirate farm system that could be most negatively impacted by a lack of a minor league season.

Without a season, Swaggerty spent the summer working out at the alternate training site in Altoona. Swaggerty’s ETA for the Majors remains 2021, and it would not be a surprise to see him roaming either center field or right field for the Pittsburgh Pirates at some point next season.