Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Low-A Should Have a Strong Outfield

The Pittsburgh Pirates Low-A affiliate, the Bradenton Marauders, should have a strong outfield when the 2022 season begins

One of the biggest strengths of the Pittsburgh Pirates farm system is their outfield talent. You have Matt Fraizer, Travis Swaggerty, Canaan Smith-Njigba, Jack Suwinski, Cal Mitchell, Connor Scott, and Lolo Sanchez, among the names that will start the season at Double-A or higher. However, the lower minors have a ton of outfield talent as well.

Their Low-A affiliate, the Bradenton Marauders, will look to have a very stacked outfield. Many of the Pittsburgh Pirates highest-end outfield talents will look to command a position in the grass with the Marauders in 2022.

Arguably the most underrated of the bunch is Rodolfo Nolasco. Nolasco has the potential to be the Pirates next big power prospect once the likes of Oneil Cruz, Henry Davis, and Mason Martin graduate prospect status in 2022. Nolasco had a great year at the Florida Complex League, where he batted .284/.490/.552 with a .436 wOBA and 150 wRC+.

Nolasco has long been praised for his raw power. As a 17-year-old in 2019, Nolasco was already posting exit velos around 89 MPH, which is above the major league average. Nolasco was only in his age-19 season but hit eight home runs while having a .269 ISO. All of his offensive tools have 50 or better grades, with both game and raw power projecting to be 60-grade weapons. He’s not a speed demon by any means, though he plays a fine corner outfield and has an arm that plays well in either left or right field.

Another highly touted outfield prospect from the system that has a good chance to start in Bradenton’s outfield is Lonnie White Jr. Drafted as a second round of the 2021 draft as a competitive balance pick, White Jr. was an over-slot signing. The Pittsburgh Pirates landed him for $1.5 million as one of their many over slot deals of the day.

The talented high schooler was considered one of the best prep outfielders in the draft. White brings a blend of power and athleticism to the table. His incredible bat speed helps generate plus power. Although it was a small sample size, 4 of his eight hits went for extra bases (two doubles, two homers). Meanwhile, he’s a 70-grade runner with the defensive chops to stay in center field long term. The only tool FanGraphs projects to be below average is his hit tool. If he’s only a .230-.250 hitter in the future, he has enough power to be a consistent 25 home run threat and athleticism to be a Gold Glove finalist.

Another highly athletic outfielder we may see at Low-A is Sergio Campana. Campana is going into his age-20 season and brings some of the best speed in the system. He’s an 80-grade runner with elite defense in center field. Last year, his bat played well at the FCL, where he had a .815 OPS, .389 wOBA, and 123 wRC+.

This eventually led to him getting a taste of Low-A action, though he saw his numbers fall to a .519 OPS, .264 wOBA, and 52 wRC+. Granted, both sets of stats came in very small sample sizes of less than 200 plate appearances.

Now, I will admit, starting Shalin Polanco at Low-A would be a bit fast for the outfielder. Though the top international signee has immense talent, the Pirates also haven’t shied away from moving their more talented prospects through the system with more aggression. He’s a well-rounded prospect whose only lacking tool is speed. Chances are, he’ll start at Rookie-Ball, but if he performs well, we may see him as a Bradenton outfielder by the end of the season.

Even if Polanco doesn’t start out at Low-A soon-to-be 19-year-old Braylon Bishop could. Bishop was one of the more underrated picks from the 2021 draft. He fell to the 14th round but was projected to be a top 100 selection. Coming out of Arkansas High School, Bishop was highly praised for his fielding, athleticism, and bat speed. He needs to clean up his hit tool and mechanics, but there’s nothing that is unusual for a raw high school talent. He’s a center fielder who could be a 20/20 candidate in the future.

The Pirates have plenty of outfield options for Low-A Bradenton. They arguably have the best group of outfielders among all of the Pirate affiliates. They have multiple high-end draft picks, and some high-end international prospects. There’s a very good blend of power, athleticism, and overall ability down at Bradenton this season.