Pittsburgh Pirates Minors: Under-the-Radar Prospects Off to a Hot Start

May 11, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington observes batting practice before the Pirates host the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
May 11, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates general manager Ben Cherington observes batting practice before the Pirates host the Cincinnati Reds at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports /
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PITTSBURGH, PA – APRIL 07: The Pittsburgh Pirates in action against the Atlanta Braves on Opening Day at PNC Park on April 7, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption ***
PITTSBURGH, PA – APRIL 07: The Pittsburgh Pirates in action against the Atlanta Braves on Opening Day at PNC Park on April 7, 2017 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. (Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** /

The Pittsburgh Pirates have a very deep farm system so some prospects are bound to go under the radar. Here are four who are off to hot starts to the 2021 season.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have a ton of young talent coming up through the system. Many names we have already covered here like the scorching hot start to the season for Roansy Contreras, Travis Swaggerty showing off some power, and the team’s potential double play combo of the future looking outstanding.

While the minor league season just started at the beginning of May, plenty of players have gotten off to great starts in 2021 so far. Today, let’s take a look at four different prospects who have come out of the gates red hot.

Logan Hofmann

The Pittsburgh Pirates selected Logan Hofmann with their 5th round pick in the 2020 MLB Draft. But you wouldn’t have known that based on his college numbers in 2020. His final 28 innings saw him not allow a single earned run while striking out 38 and allowing just 5 free passes.

Hofmann has started the season with the Low-A Bradenton Marauders. So far, he’s pitched 6 innings in three games out of the bullpen. He has yet to allow a run, continuing his scoreless streak from college. He’s struck out 10 of the 21 batters he has faced so far and has issued just a single walk.

Hofmann isn’t a hard thrower. His fastball only averages out in the low-90s. He tops out in the 94 MPH, but what he lacks in velocity he makes up for in spin rate. He could have a similar fastball to Richard Rodriguez in the future who’s fastball only comes in around 92-94 MPH and has some of the most spin in baseball. He also will throw a 12-6 curveball that has a high spin rate.

The Pittsburgh Pirates like Hofmann’s arsenal of pitches. He seems to have the command part of pitching down seeing as he hasn’t walked too many batters in the past 2 seasons of his career. Despite not being a high ranked member of the Pirate organization right now, he could climb the ranks very soon and become one of the team’s under the radar prospects.