Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: All-International Free Agent Team

Shortstop – Yordany De Los Santos

Yordany De Los Santos was part of the Pittsburgh Pirates most recent international signing haul. He, along with Plaz and another name we’ll talk about later made up quite a good catch for the Pirates. De Los Santos was arguably the best international signing the Pirates made as he was ranked 12th best international prospect available per MLB Pipeline.

De Los Santos has a phenomenal hit tool and plus power. He’s a bit pull-happy but doesn’t have any glaring flaws in his offensive game. That’s something you like to see from a 17-year-old prospect. De Los Santos will need to answer long-term if he is a viable shortstop. He has the hands, reflexes, and arm to stick at the position, but his speed isn’t his best trait. That gives him fringy range already.

The Pirates will give De Los Santos every chance to stay at shortstop long term but might have to slide over to third base in the long run. But as long as his other traits still play decent enough at short, he’ll be just fine at the middle infield position. Getting that kind of offensive ceiling at one of the most premium positions on the field is a very nice thing to have.