Pittsburgh Pirates: Baseball America Release Top 10 Prospects for 2021

While the offseason hot stove warms up, there are several other things to look forward to this offseason as baseball fans.  This includes prospect lists for the Pittsburgh Pirates.

It is that time of the year again Pittsburgh Pirates fans.  Of all the major sports, Major League Baseball’s offseason is often considered the most captivating.  During the winter months, there are plenty of rumors, trades, and signings that keep some fans engaged all year round.  Another fun part of the offseason is when some of the major sites start to release their prospect ranking lists for the 2021 season.

Recently, MLB Pipeline released their top 100 MLB draft prospect list.  This is obviously a very good resource to use with the Pittsburgh Pirates having the top pick in the 2021 Draft.  The other list type, that, as Pittsburgh Pirates fans, is always good to pay attention to is the top prospect lists.  After all, the key to the Pittsburgh Pirates success comes through the minor leagues.

Today, Baseball America released their top 10 Pittsburgh Pirates prospects for 2021.  This list is normally created by an outside expert that Baseball America brings in to give a more detailed look at the team’s top 10 prospects.  This year, Tim Williams of Pirates Baseball Network was in charge of putting together the list.  Here is what he came up with:

"Ke’Bryan HayesOneil CruzNick GonzalesQuinn PriesterLiover PegueroCody BoltonTahnaj ThomasBrennan MaloneJi-Hwan BaeCarmen Mlodzinski"

Williams also took the time to look at some of the more specific parts of the minor league system.  He projects what the team will look like in 2024.  Also, he puts together a list of prospects with the best tools.  Go to the link to check it out.

Overall, this is a pretty good list and there is not much to disagree with in terms of the names on it.  The only name I would have in a different spot would be Tahnaj Thomas.  Thomas is a lot like Cruz, he has some of the best physical characteristics you would want in a prospect.  As a pitcher, he has a fastball that can reach triple digits along with plus secondary pitches.

This also shows the depth of the Pittsburgh Pirates system.  Of the top 10 prospects, four of them have been brought in by Ben Cherington.  He has quickly infused some high-level talent and added it to a decent core that was left by the previous regime.  When it comes down to it each of these players has the upside to be at least above-average big league players, giving the Bucs a lot to look forward to in a few years.