3 Pirates prospects who could have unexpected rebounds in 2025

Pittsburgh Pirates prospects like Konnor Griffin, Bubba Chandler, and Thomas Harrington have some high expectations placed upon them. All three are consensus top 100 prospects, with two having strong 2024 seasons. Some, like Anthony Solometo, still have some expectations despite struggling in 2024.

However, there are many minor leaguers in the Pirates' system fans aren't expecting much from. Some were former top prospects, like these three, who made strong debuts in 2025 and could have an unexpected rebound this year.

3 Pirates prospects who could rebound in 2025 after strong debuts

3. Brennan Malone

Brennan Malone was originally acquired in the Starling Marte trade, the very first trade Ben Cherington made as the Pirates' general manager. At the time, the right-hander was a recent first-round draft pick and ranked as one of the best pitching prospects among his draft class. MLB Pipeline ranked Malone as the 20th best prospect in the draft, while Baseball America ranked him 18th. Both had him ranked as a top 10 pitching prospect available.

Malone was selected 33rd overall by the Diamondbacks, inking a slot-value deal. The high school hurler had a 70-grade fastball, per Pipeline, sitting in the mid-90s. His slider at the time also projected as a plus offering, and his curveball displayed the same potential, with the floor of an average offering. His changeup was his worst pitch, but projected as average. On top of that, despite being a hard-throwing youngster, control did not seem like a huge issue for the righty.

But Malone's professional career has been nearly derailed by injuries. He has only pitched 35.2 innings as a professional. The right-hander did not throw competitively in 2020 after the Bucs acquired him because of the canceled minor league season. Then, in 2021, he only tossed 14 innings, which is so far the most he's ever thrown in one year. 2022 only saw him tally 5.1 frames, and he didn't pitch at all in 2023. He made his return to the mound in 2024, but only pitched 8.1 innings.

Thankfully, Malone is back in action and made a strong first impression in his 2025 debut. Malone pitched one inning in relief, striking out two batters and walking one. Unfortunately, while most A-Ball stadiums have Statcast data available to the public (including Bradenton), the Dayton Tortugas (the Cincinnati Reds' A-Ball affiliate) did not, so there aren't any available readings on his velocity or pitch movement.

A Brennan Malone comeback would be one for the storybooks. "A former highly regarded high school pitcher is drafted in the first round, but his career is derailed by injuries, just for him to fight the odds and break years later" sounds more like a book or movie than something that could happen in reality. Malone will likely be relegated to bullpen duty and should take on a more traditional relief role this season. That shift may help preserve his health and help him regain some velocity.