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3 Pirates prospects who could have unexpected rebounds in 2025

These three Pirates prospects have very little expectations upon them for 2025. However, their strong debuts to the year could lead to an unexpected rebound.
ByNoah Wright|
(FCL) Pirates' on deck Shalin Polanco. The Florida Complex League (FCL) Orioles played their first night game against the (FCL) Pirates at Sarasota's Ed Smith Stadium on Friday, July 15, 2022. Admission is free and you can bring your own food. For more up-coming games, check out the schedules of the Florida Complex League visit, mlb.com/orioles/spring-training/minor-leagues. Sar Fcl Baseball 32
(FCL) Pirates' on deck Shalin Polanco. The Florida Complex League (FCL) Orioles played their first night game against the (FCL) Pirates at Sarasota's Ed Smith Stadium on Friday, July 15, 2022. Admission is free and you can bring your own food. For more up-coming games, check out the schedules of the Florida Complex League visit, mlb.com/orioles/spring-training/minor-leagues. Sar Fcl Baseball 32 | THOMAS BENDER/HERALD-TRIBUNE / USA TODAY NETWORK
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2. Lonnie White Jr.

The Pirates' 2021 draft class was filled with high-ceiling high school players. One, Bubba Chandler, has become one of the best prospects in baseball. But the man taken before Chandler, Lonnie White Jr., was one of the better outfielders in his draft class, and has yet to make a similar impact.

At the time of his arrival, MLB Pipeline ranked him as the 72nd-best prospect, but Baseball America placed him very high at No. 32 and the eighth-best outfield prospect in the class.

While White Jr. struggled with injuries in 2022, 2023 looked like a turning point for the young outfielder. In 276 plate appearances between the Florida Complex League and A-Ball Bradenton, White Jr. slashed .276/.406/.476 with a .417 wOBA, and 139 wRC+. White Jr. flashed his above-average power potential, going yard nine times with a .200 isolated slugging percentage and 15.7% barrel percentage at Bradenton. He struck out at a 27.2% rate, but drew walks at a high 15.6% rate.

White Jr.'s 2023 was extremely promising. He was one of only five prospects with an OBP above .400 and an ISO of at least .200 in 250+ plate appearances in their age-20 or younger season. Needless to say, he got the bump to Greensboro to open 2024. However, it ultimately was a forgettable campaign.

In 375 plate appearances, White Jr. batted just .167/.275/.340. He still hit for some power, though, with 14 home runs and a .173 isolated slugging percentage. Plus, he walked at a respectable 9.6% rate, but that's where any positives end. He struck out in just over a third of his plate appearances, with a 34.4% K%. A .219 batting average on balls in play didn't help the cause, but the massive uptick in K's between 2023 and 2024 was worrying, to say the least. Overall, he had a meager .290 wOBA and 80 wRC+.

Not many are likely expecting White Jr. to have a solid 2025 season. He fell off of both MLB Pipeline and Baseball America's top 30 Pirates prospect lists, despite being in the top 20 of both lists to open 2024. However, he's still just 22 and doesn't turn 23 until December 31. He started 2025 off on a good note, going 1-for-3 in his season debut, with a walk and a stolen base for Greensboro.

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