3 most impressive risers on Pittsburgh Pirates’ newest Top 30 Prospects list

MLB.com released the first installment of 2025’s Top 100 Prospects list last week. The Pittsburgh Pirates enter the year with four prospects in MLB’s Top 100. The site also ranked each organization’s 30 best overall prospects.

Three specific players jumped into the Pirates' top 10 in the latest installment of the rankings. Watch these names this season.

3 highest risers in MLB Pipeline's new Pirates Top 30 Prospects list

3. Wyatt Sanford

The Pirates selected Sanford 47th overall out of Independence High School (TX) in last summer's MLB Draft. The Texas A&M commit signed with Pittsburgh for $2.5 million to drag him away from College Station. Sanford bills as a defense-first shortstop and has the athleticism to play anywhere on the diamond. He moved up to No. 8 this season in his first appearance on the preseason list.

The Bucs have reportedly already tweaked Sanford's swing from the left side of the plate. His scouting report notes he sprays the ball all over the field when he remains balanced in the box. Sanford still has some power to unlock, but will likely never see eye-popping slugging numbers. The 19-year-old can also fly with 60-grade speed. Sanford will likely begin the season in low-A Bradenton.

2. Levi Sterling

Pittsburgh took Serling 37th overall out of Notre Dame High School (CA) in the 2024 MLB Draft. The 18-year-old already stands at 6-foot-5 and had a legitimate case to turn pro as a pitcher or hitter. Sterling opted for the pitching route.

The righty throws four pitches effectively, with his 60-grade curveball the best of the mix. He does not throw above the low-90s just yet, but every of his four pitches moves. Sterling already has above-average control of his fastball, curveball and slider, with the changeup continuing to progress quickly.

He will toss his first professional innings this spring, likely in low-A Bradenton. Sterling still has some filling out to do, as he remains one of the younger players in the system. However, even with his age, Sterling could rise fast through the minor leagues. He ranks ninth to begin the year.

1. Zander Mueth

The Bucs drafted Mueth 67th overall out of Belleville High School East (IL) in 2023, luring him away from Ole Miss with an over-slot deal. Mueth features a lower-than-normal arm slot and a three-pitch mix. The 6-foot-6 righthander has a 55-grade fastball and slider, along with a 50-grade changeup.

Mueth generates above-average movement and depth on all his pitches. His fastball touched 97 at times in his first professional season, while his slider has been scouted as “a true out pitch.”

The 19-year-old dealt in 2024. He registered a 2.31 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 79 strikeouts in 74.0 innings between the Florida Complex League and Low-A Bradenton. However, Mueth did issue 50 free passes in his first professional season, which will remain the potential fix to watch in 2025. He ranks 10th, at the moment.