Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Rum Bunter’s Top 5 Position Player Prospects

Previously, we went over the Pittsburgh Pirates top 5 pitching prospects, but now let’s take a look at what we consider their top 5 position player prospects

The Pittsburgh Pirates farm system is full of highly talented young prospects. Recently, we went over what we think is the team’s top 5 pitching prospects. You can read this list here. But now it’s time to look at who our top 5 position player prospects in the Pirate system are.

Like last time, multiple staff writers contributed to this list. Each of us got to vote on who our top 5 Pirates prospects were with the #5 spot being worth 1 point and #1 spot being worth 5 points. Though there are 5 prospects that received higher votes than others, there were still some that got votes and didn’t make the list. So before we get into our top 5, let’s look at a few prospects who are still highly regarded and worth mentioning (note; these honorable mentions are in no particular order).

Endy Rodriguez

The Pittsburgh Pirates acquired Endy Rodriguez in the Joe Musgrove deal as the New York Mets were the third team involved in the trade. Rodriguez has a plus hit tool and is a great glove behind the dish. His power is a bit fringy, but he makes consistent contact, gets on base at a high rate, and helps out with his glove. He’s arguably the team’s long-term catcher.

Diego Castillo

Diego Castillo was one of the two prospects the Pittsburgh Pirates received in exchange for Clay Holmes. Castillo provides yet another middle infield option with plenty of potential. He usually hits for a solid average with plus defense and speed. However, he’s finally showing some power with a breakout at Double-A this year with the Yankee affiliate and Altoona. Castillo has seen time at second base, shortstop, and third base. I projected him as the team’s shortstop by the end of 2022.

Hudson Head

The headliner of the Musgrove trade, Hudson Head was a third-round pick by the San Diego Padres in 2019. But he could have gone much earlier had it not been for him playing football and not getting a good look by scouts. Head has a plus hit tool, is fast, and can field center field very well. He draws a ton of walks and is showing some decent pop, though he’s still fairly young being just 20-years-old. His swing-and-miss can get in the way, but he really doesn’t have anything that can’t be fixed with just experience and good coaching.

Matthew Fraizer

The Pirates picked up Matthew Fraizer in the third-round of the 2019 draft. When the Pittsburgh Pirates selected him, he was more of your speed threat than power threat. Though this year, he’s been one of the best minor league hitters. He already has 21 home runs in 398 plate appearances while still showing some speed, the ability to draw walks and make contact at a consistently good rate. Though he may not have the highest of ceilings currently, he’s definitely going to get a shot very soon.