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) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
2 of 3
Next
Pittsburgh Pirates
(Photo by Justin K. Aller/Getty Images) /

Right-handed pitcher Roansy Contreras

Roansy Contreras is the one pitcher in the group of prospects that should make an appearance at PNC Park sometime in 2022. Contreras was traded to the Pittsburgh Pirates before the start of the 2021 season from the New York Yankees for starting pitcher, Jameson Taillon. Maikol Escotto, Canaan Smith-Njigba, and Miguel Yajure were also included in the deal for the Pirates.

Contreras spent most of his time with the Altoona Curve in 2021. He pitched and started in 12 games with Altoona where he posted a 2.65 ERA in 54.1 innings pitched. Opponents were only batting .185 against him and were striking out 34.9% of the time. He only walked 5.5% of the batters faced while in Double-A. Contreras was called up to Indy where he only pitched and started in one game. He then was called up to the Pittsburgh Pirates and showed he was capable of pitching at the major league level.

In just one start with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Contreras pitched 3 innings allowing only 3 hits and 1 walk. He had 4 strikeouts and gave up 0 earned runs. I was really impressive with his pitch selection and the location he was putting the ball at. He looked very composed on the mound too which was good to see. I truly think we will see him sometime in 2022 with the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Outfielder Matt Fraizer

Matt Fraizer had a breakout year in 2021. He started the season with the Greensboro Grasshoppers where he dominated High-A ball. With Greensboro, Fraizer slashed .314/.401/.578 and had 20 homeruns in 75 games. He was named the MVP of the league at the end of the season. Fraizer was called up to double-a Altoona on August 5th of this year.

With Altoona, Fraizer slashed .288/.356/.492 in 37 games. He had 12 doubles, 3 triples, and 3 homeruns with the Curve. With the Pirates lack of depth in the corner outfield, I believe this will give Fraizer a chance to make the big-league club next season if he continues and hit and shows the power he had in 2021.

According to MLB Pipeline, Fraizer is currently the #23 prospect in the Pirate farm system. This was a big jump from not being ranked to start the year. He was a bright spot for the Pirates last year and I believe he will continue to progress in the 2022 season.