MLB Pipeline Projects Future Top 100 Prospect for Pittsburgh Pirates

With an eye to the future, MLB Pipeline projected a potential future top 100 prospect for each organization. Who did they identify for the Pittsburgh Pirates?

In the world of baseball there is always plenty to talk about when it comes to prospects. Prospects and farm system are the lifeblood of any MLB organization, especially small market clubs like the Pittsburgh Pirates, and this leads to there always being interest in prospect rankings, lists, etc. by fans.

MLB Pipeline is one of the most well known and respected publications when it comes to ranking prospects. With an eye on the future, MLB Pipeline took a look at a potential future top 100 prospect from each MLB organization.

Projecting a prospect from each organization that can be a top 100 prospect in 2024, MLB Pipeline went with a pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates. This pitcher is left-handed 2021 draft class member Anthony Solometo.

The Pirate chose Solometo with the 37th overall selection in last July’s draft. When Solometo was drafted he was committed to pitch at the University of North Carolina, but, ultimately, the New Jersey native chose to sign with the Pirates over going to college.

Solometo has a sky high ceiling for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He was a quirky delivery that makes it difficult for hitters to identify his pitches making it difficult for them to be comfortable when in the box.

MLB Pipeline had this to say about the young talented lefty:

The Pirates were able to go after, and sign, three high-end high school players in the Draft after taking Henry Davis No. 1 overall, and there’s a good chance we’ll all be talking about Bubba Chandler, Anthony Solometo AND Lonnie White in two years. But we’ll give Solometo the nod because of his potential to have three at least above-average pitches and a good feel for them from the left side.

Solometo has all of the tools needed to be a future top of the rotation arm. There is a reason teams were drooling over him entering last July’s draft and why he demanded the signing bonus that he received in order to turn pro, as well as a reason the Pirates were willing to dish out that signing bonus.

Another thing that should be noted here is that it is a great sign that MLB Pipeline saw the Pirate organization as one with prospects who were viewed as options to be on the list. This should not come as a surprise, however, as the 2021 Pirate draft class was considered by many to be the best in all of baseball.

In 2022 it will be interesting to see how aggressive the Pirates will be with Solometo. He is just 19-years-old, but the organization would likely love to have him log as many outings as possible at the Low-A level this season. Regardless of where he is pitching at, Solometo will be a prospect that Pirate fans should keep an eye on in 2022.