Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Top 5 Catchers in the Farm System

Number 3 – Abrahan Gutierrez

Abrahan Gutierrez comes from Caracas, Venezuela, where he was signed as an international free agent by the Atlanta Braves in 2016. On November 21st 2017, Gutierrez elected free agency where he was signed by the Philadelphia Phillies the following year in March of 2018.

In 2021 with the Phillies, Gutierrez was assigned to low A ball Clearwater where he played in 50 games and batted .288 with 5 homeruns. In those 50 games, he had 37 walks. This must have caught Ben Cherington’s eye because during the trade deadline, the Pittsburgh Pirates tried to trade for him twice.

The first trade was for Tyler Anderson but that deal fell through and Seattle ended up taking him away from the Phillies. The second attempt to get Gutierrez was a successful one however. This deal shipped left-handed pitcher Braeden Ogle to the Phillies in exchange for Abrahan Gutierrez.

On July 30th, the Pirates assigned him to Bradenton where he has spent time as a catcher and the designated hitter. With the Marauders, Gutierrez has slashed .294/.448/.471 with an OPS of .919 in 22 games. In the regular season, he had 10 extra base hits but no homeruns. Most recently in the playoff game however, Gutierrez hit his first homerun with Bradenton.

Gutierrez was one of my favorite trade deadline pickups that the Pirates made. He is a well-rounded hitter that gives this organization more depth at the catcher position. He is still very young and has a way to go, but I believe he has a high ceiling and that is why he lands at number 3 on the list.