Pittsburgh Pirates: Three Prospects To Keep An Eye On In 2021

Jul 7, 2020; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States; Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington observes Summer Training workouts at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 7, 2020; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States; Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington observes Summer Training workouts at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 04: Ke’Bryan Hayes #13 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action during game two of a doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park on September 4, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images)
PITTSBURGH, PA – SEPTEMBER 04: Ke’Bryan Hayes #13 of the Pittsburgh Pirates in action during game two of a doubleheader against the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park on September 4, 2020 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin Berl/Getty Images) /

Without a minor league season, many prospects missed a year of development. So keep an eye out on these Pittsburgh Pirates prospects when they return to the field in 2021.

Currently, the Pittsburgh Pirates are considered to have one of the stronger farm systems in baseball. Ke’Bryan Hayes, Oneil Cruz and Nick Gonzales headline the Bucs’ top prospect lists. However, players such as Travis Swaggerty, Quinn Priester and Tahnaj Thomas don’t get nearly as much credit for how good they are.

But because there was no minor league season, instead a select handful of prospects and minor league players playing intrasquad scrimmages at alternative training sites. Some prospects didn’t get to develop as much as they should have, and some didn’t even get to play.

If things go according to plan, 2021 should have a minor league season. Despite losing a year of development, here are three Pittsburgh Pirates prospects that I think we could see their stock rise significantly if they are healthy during next season.