Pittsburgh Pirates: Best Prospect From Each Country

Other countries represented in the organization

So far, the prospects we talked about are ranked among the organization’s best. But there are a handful of other countries with representatives in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. While there isn’t much to go off of with these prospects, I still want to highlight every country represented within the farm.

Nicaragua – Outfielder Heiron Montalban

Nicaragua has been the birthplace to 15 MLB players. The most successful of which is Dennis Martinez. The Pittsburgh Pirates signed Heiron Montalban back in 2019. He made his pro debut last season, racking up nine hits and seven walks in only 48 plate appearances. He is already listed at 6’1, 215 LBS, giving him a sturdy frame. While he hasn’t shown it in-game yet, he’s been praised for his above-average power with the potential to add more pop.

Aruba – RHP Antwone Kelly

Aruba is the country that has the second least amount of MLB players we will be looking at today. Only six have come out of Aruba, though Boston Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogarts has been the most successful among all 6. Antwone Kelly is the lone Aruba representative in the Pirate organization. He’s a talented arm who had a 24.5% strikeout rate, 8.8% walk rate, and gave up just two long balls in 37 innings of work. He’s reportedly hit 97 MPH at the Florida Complex League. If the velocity is real, he might become a real name to watch.

Brazil – RHP Juan Santos

While Aruba had the second least amount of MLB representatives, Brazil has the least, with just five players ever appearing at the game’s highest level. The most successful is backstop Yan Gomes. The lone representative the Pittsburgh Pirates have is right-hander Juan Santos. Santos only pitched 7.2 innings at the FCL but allowed six earned runs.