Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Five to Watch in the Majors in 2022

SAN DIEGO, CA - JUNE 5: Tucupita Marcano #16 of the San Diego Padres plays during a baseball game against New York Mets at Petco Park on June 5, 2021 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images)
SAN DIEGO, CA - JUNE 5: Tucupita Marcano #16 of the San Diego Padres plays during a baseball game against New York Mets at Petco Park on June 5, 2021 in San Diego, California. (Photo by Denis Poroy/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images)
(Photo by Rob Leiter/MLB Photos via Getty Images) /

The Pittsburgh Pirates have one of the best farm systems in all of baseball. There are plenty of prospects on the cusp of making the major league roster soon and could even see some playing time with the Pirates in 2022. Here are 5 prospects that you could see sometime next summer at PNC Park.

Infielder Tucupita Marcano

Tucupita Marcano was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates a few days before the trade deadline last season for Adam Frazier from the San Diego Padres. According to MLB Pipeline, Marcano is currently the #9 prospect in the Pirate system. Since being traded the Pirates, Marcano unfortunately has struggled.

Marcano started his Pirate career with Triple-A Indianapolis. He slashed .230/.325/.279 with an OPS of .604. In 48 games, Marcano only had 4 doubles, 1 triple, and 1 home run. He did have 26 walks with the Indians, however. The reason I see him as one of the prospects you will see in the majors next year is because he already has MLB experience with the Padres, he is versatile on the field, and has a great eye at the plate.

Marcano finished the 2021 season with a batting average of .251 with an OBP of .345 on the year. He totaled 7 home runs and 53 walks in 93 games. I believe he will start the year in Triple-A but will find his way at PNC Park sometime in the summer.

Infielder Diego Castillo

Diego Castillo is one prospect to keep an eye on in the 2022 season. He could very well make an appearance at PNC Park if he continues to hit the ball and play good defense. Castillo was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates from the Yankees on July 26th 2021 in exchange for right-handed relief pitcher Clay Holmes. Hoy Park was also included in the deal for the Pirates.

Castillo started his Pirate career at Double-A Altoona. He played in 28 games with the Curve and slashed .282/.342/.445 with an OPS of .787 before getting called up to Indianapolis on August 31st of this year.

With Triple-A Indianapolis, Castillo played in 18 games and slashed .278/.414/.500 and had an OPS of .914. He ended the season with over 100 hits including 19 home runs in total. His final slash line was an impressive .278/.355/.487 with an OPS of .842. He ended 2021 with 24 doubles and 44 walks on the season. Castillo finished the year with a 146 wRC+ in the Pirate organization. That was impressive to see and I hope Pirate fans get to watch him play in Pittsburgh in 2022.