3 Pirates prospects who have impressed in spring training so far

Spring training is in full swing now, and the Pittsburgh Pirates are off to a good start, posting a 5-2-1 record in their first eight games. Adding to the excitement, many of their top prospects are in camp and getting playing time. Not only have some performed well thus far into spring training, but they have also flashed the potential that makes them some of the highest-ranking prospects in the Pirates system. These three, in particular, have shown some of the most potential.

3 Pirates prospects who've flashed significant potential at spring training

Konnor Griffin

The Pirates sent a spring training invite to their best position player prospect this year, Konnor Griffin. The Bucs just drafted Griffin in 2024, taking him ninth overall. He ended up inking a signing bonus worth just over $6.5 million, which was slightly over slot. However, even given that hefty expenditure, the Pirates may have gotten a steal.

Griffin was considered by many as the highest-ceiling prospect in the draft. One look at his scouting report, and you'll see why. Griffin is a potential 30/30 threat and projects as a Gold Glove defender at the two most premium non-catcher positions at shortstop and center field. He also has a powerful arm, as he was also a pitcher in high school, hitting the mid/upper-90s on the mound. His hit tool is the only part of his game that doesn’t project as plus or better.

Impressively, Griffin began camp going 2-for-5 in a limited sample against big-league talent. His first hit was a single on Feb. 23 against the Minnesota Twins that came off the bat with an exit velocity of nearly 100 MPH (99.7 MPH); however, it was only a ground ball. Griffin also showed off his wheels, going first to third on another hit that inning by Abrahan Gutierrez.

Griffin then hit a home run on March 1 against the Baltimore Orioles. All of his innings in the field so far have been in center field, but the Pirates drafted him as a shortstop.

It will be very exciting to see what Griffin can do in 2025. He turns 19 in late April, so it’s possible he will get an extended look at Bradenton this upcoming season. The infielder/outfielder could very easily rise to the top of prospect lists if he can flash just a fraction of his potential during 2025.

Hunter Barco

Hunter Barco was one of the Pirates’ many pitchers they took in the 2022 draft. The lefty out of the University of Florida finally got his first extended look in pro ball last year after missing most of 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery. Not only did Barco impress in the minor leagues last season, but he is also doing so in spring training now.

Barco has pitched one scoreless inning thus far into spring training, striking out two batters. Sure, it’s only a single game, but he mowed down the heart of the Atlanta Braves’ lineup, striking out Austin Riley on three pitches and Marcell Ozuna on just four. He also got Matt Olson to fly out. During his spring debut, Barco was clocked up to 96 MPH.

This came after he posted a 3.27 ERA, 3.29 FIP, and 1.06 WHIP across 66 frames between High-A Greensboro and Double-A Altoona. He was great at striking out opponents with a 31.2% K%, and only allowed walks to 8.3% of batters he squared off against. Barco was one of only 39 total pitchers across all of minor league baseball with at least 15 games started, an ERA under 3.50, a K% of at least 30%, and a walk rate under 9%.

If the spring training radar readings are accurate, this would represent an uptick from what Barco was previously throwing. An increase in velocity for Barco could go a long way. The southpaw has displayed solid control throughout the minor leagues and has a low, deceptive arm slot. Barco has a chance to make his MLB debut this season, and if his spring training is a preview for things to come, then he’ll be well on his way towards do so.

Thomas Harrington

Hunter Barco isn’t the only 2022 draft pick who has impressed during spring training. Thomas Harrington has also looked great. The right-hander was the Pirates’ second selection of the ‘22 draft, taken right before Barco. Harrington has also flashed a ton of potential in his brief spring training debut after coming off a strong 2024 season.

Harrington pitched a day prior to Barco against the Braves, also tossing a scoreless inning while allowing one walk and striking out one batter. While Harrington did not face the same caliber of batters Barco did in his spring training debut, his stuff also looked great. His slider, in particular, received outstanding reviews.

He also pitched against the Orioles on March 1, but allowed one earned run.

His performance in 2024 backed up the hype of his solid stuff. Harrington tossed 117.1 innings, working to a 2.61 ERA, 3.11 FIP, and 0.96 WHIP. He had a solid 25.1% strikeout rate, but his walk rate clocked in at a microscopic 4.1% rate. He was also not prone to allowing home runs, with an 0.69 HR/9. Harrington flew under the radar as one of MILB’s most dominant pitchers. Only three hurlers made at least 20 starts with an ERA under 3.00 and a BB% under 5% while striking out at least a quarter of their opponents; Harrington was one of them.

Harrington heads into 2025 as a consensus top 100 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, Baseball America, and Baseball Prospectus. By the end of the 2025 season, the 23-year-old could find himself on the same pitching staff as Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller, Jared Jones, and his Altoona/Indianapolis teammate Bubba Chandler (another top prospect in camp, who has also shown a ton of potential but has already been covered extensively).