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Pittsburgh Pirates: Double-A Core Four Off to a Hot Start
Double-A Altoona has a ‘core four’ of hitting prospects that are highly ranked in the Pittsburgh Pirates farm system and each of them are off to a strong start this season
Prior to the start of the minor league season we previewed each of the minor league affiliates of the Pittsburgh Pirates. When previewing the Double-A Altoona Curve we discussed a star studded lineup that had the potential to be a lethal one.
This lineup is anchored by a ‘core four’ of Pirate prospects. These four prospects are shortstop Oneil Cruz, INF/OF Rodolfo Castro, first baseman Mason Martin and outfielder Canaan Smith-Njigba. Thus far, these four hitters have no disappointed at the Double-A level.
Arguably the most notable prospect in this group is Cruz. The Pittsburgh Pirates may not have a prospect in their entire farm system with a higher ceiling than Cruz due to his near limitless power potential, as well as being a plus athlete.
While Cruz has always played shortstop in the minors there has long been a belief he will not stick at shortstop long-term. So far this season he has struggled at shortstop having already committed 6 errors, while a positional change may indeed be on the horizon he is off to a strong start at the plate.
Through his first 59 plate appearances of the season Cruz is hitting for a .245/.322/.453 slash line to go with a 113 wRC+. He has flashed his power with a .208 isolated power (ISO) and an 11.3% extra base hit rate, having collected 2 home runs, 3 doubles and a triple.
The biggest concern with Cruz thus far has been the swing-and-miss. This has always been the biggest concern with Cruz and it has led to questions about his hit tool. Through 59 PAs this season he is striking out at 28.8% clip. That is his highest strikeout rate since he was at Low-A in 2017. Moving forward, both Cruz and the Pittsburgh Pirates will look for him to cut down on the strikeouts which could prove to be what holds him back from a promotion to the Triple-A level.
First baseman Mason Martin
Martin is another hitter with big-time power potential, but also big-time concerns over the swing-and-miss. While he is striking out at a concerning 33.9% through his first 62 PAs this season, everything else has gone exceedingly well for Martin in his first time facing Double-A pitching.
Through 62 PAs Martin is hitting for a .294/.403/.588 slash line to go with a 167 wRC+. His power has been on full display with a .294 ISO and a 15.7% extra base hit rate, having mashed 3 home runs, 4 doubles and a triple.
Martin has also continued to be a patient hitter which is something he has always done. He is drawing walks at a terrific 12.9% rate. The lowest walk rate he has ever had during a stop in the minors was 10.4% at Low-A in 2018.
If Martin can continue to hit for plus power, as well as utilizing an improved hit tool that will help him overcome his strikeout problems. Continuing to draw walks at 12%+ rate will also help Martin offset his strikeouts.
At 21-years-old Martin could still have plenty of room for improvement with strikeouts as well. If Martin continues to mash Double-A pitching he should find himself at Triple-A by the end of the season.
Utility man Rodolfo Castro
Some times being called a utility player is not a good thing. At times, someone may be labeled a utility player due to not being able to play any one position at a high enough level to be an every day player. While Castro is the top rated utility prospect that the Pittsburgh Pirates have, it is not due to any defensive shortcomings. In fact, it is due to his ability to play multiple positions, both in the infield and the outfield, at a high level.
This past offseason the Pittsburgh Pirates added the 22-year-old switch-hitter to their 40-man roster to protect him from the Rule 5 Draft. Castro also made his MLB debut earlier this season, going 0-for-3 in his lone start.
With the Curve this season Castro has showed why the Pittsburgh Pirates felt the need to protect him in the Rule 5 Draft. In 68 PAs he is hitting for a .311/.382/.508 slash line to go with a 143 wRC+. His ISO is a strong .197 and he’s collected extra base hits at an 11.5% rate.
The most encouraging sign from Castro has been his strikeouts. Throughout his professional career he has struggled with the swing-and-miss. While he has never had a strikeout rate below 21% in his professional career, through his first 68 PAs this season he is striking out at just a 17.6% rate.
As Castro continues to hit well at Double-A, especially if he continues to cut down on his strikeouts, he will move up soon. He could be promoted to Triple-A, or could even find himself back with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Either way, look for Castro to find his way back to the active MLB roster before the end of the season.
Outfielder Canaan Smith-Njigba
The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired Smith-Njigba in the Jameson Taillon trade. Thus far that trade is looking like a major steal for the Pirates, and the strong start to the 2021 season for Smith-Njigba is a big reason why.
In his first taste of Double-A pitching, Smith-Njigba is hitting for a .310/.434/.548 slash line to go with a 165 wRC+ through his first 53 PAs. He’s hit 2 home runs and collected 4 doubles, giving him a .238 ISO.
Smith-Njigba has also displayed a great eye at the plate. He has a tremendous 18.9% walk rate, which is countered by a strikeout rate of just 17.0%. This kind of plate presence and patience from a young hitter, Smith-Njigba just turned 22 at the end of April, is always an encouraging sign to see.
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When Smith-Njigba was acquired from the Yankees he was viewed as a potential plus power hitter with a great eye at the plate who could climb through the farm system quickly. Thus far, Smith-Njigba has displayed all of these traits. At this rate it would be a surprise if he is not in Triple-A by the end of the season.