Pittsburgh Pirates: Ranking the Prospects Acquired This Offseason

The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired 11 prospects in their three big trades this offseason. So out of all of them, who is the best?

This offseason has been an active winter for the Pittsburgh Pirates and general manager Ben Cherington as he swung three major trades. The first was sending switch-hitting first baseman Josh Bell to the Washington Nationals. Then he traded right-handed pitcher Joe Musgrove to the San Diego Padres. His last big move was just days after the Musgrove trade, moving starter Jameson Taillon to the New York Yankees.

In all of these trades, Cherington acquired multiple players, some of which are very good prospects. In total for Bell, Musgrove and Taillon, the Pittsburgh Pirates brought 11 new prospects into their farm system.

Today, we will rank each of the 11 prospects. This ranking was done through a poll with our writers, taking scores for each spot and totalling them. So without further ado, let’s take a look at the first prospect on our list.

Wil Crowe

Right-handed pitcher Wil Crowe was part of the Bell trade. Crowe was a 2nd round pick by the Washington Nationals in 2017. His first full season of pro-ball in 2018 when he pitched 116.1 innings with the Nats’ Low-A, High-A and Double-A affiliates. All told, he put up a solid 3.40 ERA and 1.30 WHIP, albeit with a less impressive 4.03 FIP. Crowe did only allow home runs at a 0.8 HR/9 rate, but put up a weak 1.96 K/BB ratio.

2019 was his last full pro season. While Crowe had a better ERA than FIP in 2018, the numbers flipped in 2019. He put up a 4.70 ERA, but a 3.75 FIP. Crowe pitched really well at Double-A, having a 3.87 ERA, 3.15 FIP and 3.05 xFIP. But when he was moved to Triple-A, he surrendered 37 earned runs in 54 innings.

Crowe has a four-pitch mix. That includes a four-seam fastball, slider, curveball and change up. The right-hander isn’t an overpowering pitcher with his fastball only averaging out in the 91-94 MPH range, but putting decent spin on it with 2350 RPM in 2019. Meanwhile, his slider averages out with upwards of 2800 RPM.

Although he doesn’t project as an ace or high end starter, he could be a solid, durable back of the rotation arm. He hasn’t shown elite control, nor does he rack up high strikeout totals. But he does limit home runs to a fair degree. Although, he is a bit old for a prospect as the 2021 season will be his age-26 season. He’ll likely find a spot on the 26-man roster to start this upcoming season.

Drake Fellows

The San Diego Padres selected Drake Fellows out of Vanderbilt in 2019. They chose him with their 6th round pick, but could have gone earlier. The right-hander was one of the four pieces of the Musgrove deal. Fellows was solid in college having a 3.85 ERA, 3.52 FIP and 1.23 WHIP in 275.2 innings. Fellows also had some decent peripherals. He had a 26.1% strikeout rate, 8.4% walk rate and 0.8 HR/9 rate.

Fellows did not really struggle in any departments, but nor did he excel either. He uses a three pitch mix. His four seam fastball only sits in the low-90s and tops out around 95 MPH. His slider is another solid pitch and both had 55 grades on MLB Pipeline before the 2019 draft. He also will throw a change-up which was graded out as a 50-offering.

Like Crowe, Fellows doesn’t project as some top of the rotation starter. However, he’s still seen as a guy who can slot into a back of the rotation spot and give you a handful of solid innings. Next year will be his first professional season and his age023 campaign. Given his age, he could be a fast riser through the minors.

David Bednar

David Bednar was another player acquired in the Musgrove deal. Bednar, who’s a Pittsburgh native himself, was among the Padres’ top relief pitching prospects. At the end of 2020, FanGraphs ranked him as their 23rd best prospect in the organization.

Bednar has been excellent throughout the minors. In 219 innings, the right-hander has a 2.70 ERA, 2.14 FIP and 1.17 WHIP. He’s put up great strikeout numbers with a 33% strikeout rate while only allowing home runs at a rate of 0.41 per 9 rate. While he doesn’t have the best command, he’s only allowed walks at a 7.7% rate.

The right-hander’s two primary pitches are a fastball and curveball. His fastball averages out in the mid-90’s at 92-96 MPH but has touched 98 MPH. He also puts decent spin on the pitch with 2400 RPM. His curveball also has decent spin at 2600 RPM. Both of these are seen as 60-grade offerings. He also throws a splitter, which is seen as a future 55-grade pitch.

At 26-years-old and already 17.1 innings at the Major League level under his belt, the reliever will look to lock down a late inning role in 2021 with the Bucs. He did serve as a closer through his last 3 seasons at the minor leagues, racking up double digit save totals in 2017, 2018 and 2019. Bednar could be part of the Pittsburgh Pirates next shark tank as well. FanGraphs recently ranked him as the team’s 32nd best prospect and 2nd best relief prospect.

Omar Cruz

The third piece coming from the Padres was in the Musgrove trade was left-hander Omar Cruz, who now ranks as the Bucs’ best left-handed pitching prospect. Cruz was signed out of Mexico in 2017 and has so far put up strong numbers throughout his minor league career.

In 98.1 innings, Cruz has posted a 2.38 ERA, 2.13 FIP and 1.23 WHIP. Cruz has impressively allowed just a single home run, that coming at Low-A in 2019. He didn’t allow a single home run through his first 49.1 innings. He also has a strong 32.5% strikeout rate. Cruz didn’t show great control in his first professional season with a 12% walk rate in 2018, but saw that decrease to 8.2% the following season.

The southpaw uses a three pitch mix to get outs. Among his three offerings, his curveball is seen as the best by MLB Pipeline coming in with a 55-grade. He throws this pitch with over-the-top action, according to Pipeline. Despite the high strikeout totals, Cruz isn’t an overpowering pitcher, His four seam fastball only in the low-90’s. He’ll also throw a change-up and both are seen as average with 50-grades. He also has plus control that has been given a 55-grade.

Cruz only projects as a back of the rotation starter, but he’s been great in the minors so far. However, if he can continue that strikeout rate and maybe add a tick of velocity, he could end up better than some project. If that doesn’t work out, then he could be a solid bullpen piece.

Roansy Contreras

Roansy Contreras was one of the multiple players in the Taillon trade. The right-hander was an international signing in 2016 like many of the pieces of the package for Taillon. He pitched the most innings of his pro career in 2019 tossing 132.1 in 24 games with the New York Yankees’ Low-A affiliate.

Contreras put up solid numbers at that level as well. The right-hander pitched to the tune of a 3.33 ERA, 3.67 FIP and 1.06 WHIP. He didn’t put up a high strikeout rate, getting just 21.2% of all the batters he faced down on strike three, but he only allowed walks at a 6.7% rate while having a 0.68 HR/9.

Contreras did show better strikeout numbers the year prior striking out 24% of all batters he faced in 2018. This also came with a strong 2.42 ERA, 3.33 FIP and 1.02 WHIP, albeit through much less innings. He totaled just 63.1 innings pitched between Low-A and High-A.

The right-hander repertoire includes three pitches. First is his fastball. He averages out in the 92-95 MPH range, but can reach back and has touched 96-97 MPH. What it lacks in elite velocity is made up for in spin rate with 2400 RPM. Both MLB Pipeline and FanGraphs see this as a 55-grade offering in the future. His breaking ball is a curve which averaged 2500 RPM. This is another pitch FanGraphs sees as a potential 55-grade pitch, but MLB Pipeline only sees it as a 50. Then there’s his change up. According to MLB Pipeline, it has heavy sink, which gives it a 55-grade by both sources.

Currently, Contreras is ranked as the team’s 19th best prospect. FanGraphs recently ranked him as the Bucs’ 15th top organizational prospect. He is a flyball pitcher, but has a competitive drive to his personality that Pipeline likes and helps improve his outlook.

Maikol Escotto

Another player the Pittsburgh Pirates acquired for Taillon was infielder Maikol Escotto. He’s also our first position player on our list. Escotto was signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2018. He then went on to make his debut in 2019 with their Dominican Summer League affiliate where he slashed a strong .315/.429/.552 with 8 home runs and 11 doubles.

All told, Escotto had an outstanding .465 wOBA and 167 wRC+ in 218 plate appearances. Both of those led all of the Yankees’ qualified minor league players in 2019. He also displayed decent plate discipline with a 14.7% walk rate, but 26.1% strikeout rate. However, for just his age-17 season, those are still very good numbers.

Escotto mainly played second base, but also saw time at shortstop and third base. He definitely has the arm to play the left side of the infield with a 60 current/future throw grade. However he is only seen as a 40-current/50-future grade fielder. Escotto does run well with a 50-current speed grade and swiping 13 bases in 16 attempts, but as he fills out his 5’11″, 180 pound frame, he may lose a step for two in favor of more power.

Escotto does have the potential to be a good power hitter. He has a future game power grade of 55 and future raw power grade of 60. He also averaged 89 MPH off the bat already. He only has a future hit grade of 45, but if he continues to show he can hit for power while getting on base at a decent rate, then he could be one of the Pittsburgh Pirates long term corner infielders.

Canaan Smith-Njigba

Now we’re getting into our top 5 starting with left fielder Canaan Smith-Njigba. Smith-Nijgba broke out in his first season of pro ball. Through 528 plate appearances, the lefty batter had a .307/.405/.465 line. He didn’t have big home run power in 2020 with just 11 home runs, but he racked up 32 doubles, has a 55-future game power grade and 60-future raw power grade.

All told, he has a .398 wOBA and 154 wRC+. Smith-Njigba has great plate discipline. In every season of his career, he’s put up a walk rate above 10%. Throughout 2019, he had a 14% walk rate and 20.5% strikeout rate.

Although Smith-Njigba isn’t a fast runner with a speed grade of just 40, he’s a smart base runner. He’s swiped 21 bases in 28 attempts so far in his 226 career games. In 2019, he swiped 16 in 20 attempts. Smith is likely going to stay as a primary left fielder with a 45-future fielding and throw grade.

Smith-Njigba’s 6-foot, 210 frame could help him generate more power. 2021 will be his age 22-season. He’ll likely start the year out at High-A, but if he keeps hitting like he did in 2019, then it’s not out of the question he gets a few plate appearances at Triple-A by the end of the season.

Eddy Yean

The headliner of the Bell trade was right-handed pitcher Eddy Yean who is currently ranked as the one of the Pirates’ top 10 prospects by MLB Pipeline and was one of the Nats’ top 10 organizational prospects on FanGraphs at the end of 2020.

Yean was signed out of the Dominican Republic. The right-hander made his debut in 2018, but put up pretty solid results with their Rookie-Ball and Low-A ball during 2019. Through 46.1 innings, Yean put up a 3.50 ERA, 3.44 FIP and 1.165 WHIP. Overall, Yean’s 22.6% strikeout rate doesn’t seem too great, but he put up a much healthier 24.7% rate at Rookie-Ball where most of his innings came from. Still, his 8.9% walk rate and .6 HR/9 were decent marks.

Yean’s pitch mix includes 3 offerings. His four seam fastball can reach into the upper’90’s, but usually sits around 91-95 MPH. Plus he has above average spin at 2350 RPM. Among his three pitches, it’s seen as his best with a 60-grade by both FanGraphs and MLB Pipeline. However both his curveball and changeup are seen as above average offerings in the future with 55-grades on FanGraphs.

2021 will be Yean’s age-20 season. He currently stands at 6’1″, 180 pounds. Yean could easily be part of the Pirates’ rotation within the next few seasons and potentially lock down a long term role.

Endy Rodriguez

The Pittsburgh Pirates finally got their potential catcher of the future. Endy Rodriguez was one of the New York Mets top prospects. They got involved as a third team in the Joe Musgrove deal. The switch hitting Rodriguez has hit well so far in his brief professional career.

In 265 plate appearances since the start of 2018, he has a .276/.389/.452 line, 20 doubles and .370 wOBA. Rodriguez has shown good patience at the plate. He’s walked at a 13.2% clip while putting up a strikeout rate of only 16.6%.

Rodriguez is also quite athletic for the position. He’s stole 6 bases in 8 attempts and has a 45-current speed grade. Although as he fills out, he may lose a step and is only seen as a 40-grade runner in the future. Still, MLB Pipeline describes him as an agile defender behind the dish. He has a 60-future fielding grade on FanGraphs. He doesn’t have the strongest arm, but it still should be good enough to remain behind the dish with a 50-grade.

Not only is Rodriguez a good defender behind the dish, but he also brings defensive versatility at first base and both corner outfield spots. Rodriguez isn’t a big power hitter, but he still averaged a 90 MPH exit velocity and drives the gaps well.

Rodriguez also has an above average isolated slugging percentage of .176. He only has a 40-future game power/45-future raw power grade, but could add some bulk to his 6-foot, 170 LBS frame. According to MLB Pipeline, he has some good raw power from the left side of the dish which could translate into more home runs.

Miguel Yajure

Coming in as our runner up is right-handed pitcher Miguel Yajure. Yajure was the headliner in the Taillon deal. Despite flying under the radar, he has the potential to be one of the Pirates’ top of the rotation arms in the near future.

Yajure, who’s entering his age 23 season, put up outstanding numbers in 2019. Through 138.2 innings, Yajure had a 2.14 ERA, 2.51 FIP and 1.07 WHIP. Most of his innings came at High-A, but did pitch some at Double-A nearing the end of the season. At both levels, he had a 2.88 xFIP, showing he wasn’t just getting lucky to get outs.

Yajure put up a 23.9% strikeout rate, which is the highest single season mark of his career so far. However, he’s increased it since making his pro debut in 2015 when he had a strikeout rate of 15.3%. He’s also great at limiting home runs and walks with a sub-0.5 HR/9 in each of his four minor league seasons. Yajure has shown great control with a 5.4% walk rate during 2019.

While he may not be an overpowering pitcher, he makes up for it in terms of command and pitch mix. Yajure uses four pitches to get outs, all of which project as average or better. His four seam fastball averages out in the 91-95 MPH range, tops out at 97 MPH and has a 55-future grade. He also uses a cutter variant of his fastball which projects as a 60-grade offering. He also throws a change-up which is seen as a 55-future grade pitch. His worst offering is his curveball, but this is still seen as an average pitch at the very least and has plus spin with 2600 RPM. Impressively, he has a 60-future command grade.

Yajure may not be a flamethrower, but he has pinpoint control and a pitch mix some would kill for. 2021 will be his age-23 season. He’s already gotten a taste of big league action, pitching 7 innings with the Yankees last season. However, with little experience above High-A, he may start the year out at Triple-A and potentially be a mid-season reinforcement if he’s healthy and keeps pitching like he has.