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Pittsburgh Pirates: Top 3 Unranked Prospects

ByNoah Wright|
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 04: Solomon Maguire poses during a portrait session at Castle Hill Knight Baseball Field on September 04, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. MLB club, the Pittsburgh Pirates, have signed 17 year old Maguire in a deal worth almost $1 Million. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - SEPTEMBER 04: Solomon Maguire poses during a portrait session at Castle Hill Knight Baseball Field on September 04, 2020 in Sydney, Australia. MLB club, the Pittsburgh Pirates, have signed 17 year old Maguire in a deal worth almost $1 Million. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)
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Jul 27, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Braylon Bishop who was the Pirates 14th round pick in the 2021 first year player draft looks on before the Pirates play the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports
Jul 27, 2021; Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Braylon Bishop who was the Pirates 14th round pick in the 2021 first year player draft looks on before the Pirates play the Milwaukee Brewers at PNC Park. Mandatory Credit: Charles LeClaire-USA TODAY Sports

Outfielder Braylon Bishop

The Pittsburgh Pirates drafted Braylon Bishop in the 14th round of this year’s draft. But make no mistake. Bishop isn’t your typical 14th round selection. Despite being the 403rd overall selection, the high school level talent was arguably a top 100 pick. The Pirates signed him to a $258,700 overslot deal, which he agreed to and making him arguably the biggest steal of the draft.

MLB Pipeline ranked the outfielder as the 94th best prospect available in this year’s draft. Highly athletic, Bishop got outstanding grades for his speed and fielding. His run tool was graded out at a 60 while both his fielding ability and arm were 55-grade tools. His speed and fielding prowess allows him to remain as a center fielder, but his arm is strong enough that he can play a corner if the situation necessitates it.

Bishop has some solid pop from the left side of the batter’s box. He generates 50-grade power with his fantastic bat speed. His hit tool is on the fringy side. According to MLB Pipeline, when he’s faced better pitching, he can get prone to strikeouts and ground balls. MLB Pipeline has it as a 45-grade tool.

Bishop has plenty of time to develop his hit tool. He’s only 18-years-old and won’t turn 19 until late April of next season. He’s still a very raw talent, but if he can refine that talent, you’re looking at potentially one of the Pirates’ higher-end prospects within the next two or three years.

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