3 Pittsburgh Pirates prospects heading into a make-or-break season

Last year, the Pittsburgh Pirates sent a handful of prospects into a brand new season coming off of strong 2023 campaigns. Some had great seasons, like Bubba Chandler and Thomas Harrington. Others took steps forward in 2024, like Nick Yorke (post-trade deadline arrival) and Hunter Barco.

Unfortunately, not all could capitalize on the gains they made in 2023, with some regressing fairly significantly under the spotlight.

2025 could be a huge year for those players, specifically. Another poor season will only further push them down the depth chart, especially after events like the draft where additional waves of talent join the system. Conversely, a rebound will propel them back into relevance in the Pirates' system.

3 Pirates prospects heading towards make-or-break seasons

Lonnie White Jr.

Outfield prospect Lonnie White Jr. headed into the 2024 season with high expectations, and for a good reason. On top of his great performance in 2023 (at the age of 20!), White Jr. was a highly touted prospect when he was drafted. MLB Pipeline had him ranked as the 72nd-best prospect in the draft, while Baseball America had him at No. 31. The Pirates then went on to sign him to a hefty $1.5 million signing bonus. To say that his 2024 season was disappointing would be an understatement. 

2023 looked like the start of something good for White Jr. The former second-round competitive balance pick had a .276/.406/.476 triple-slash with nine homers and 16 doubles in 276 plate appearances between the Florida Complex League and A-Ball Bradenton. White Jr. was one of only 41 minor leaguers with an OBP of at least .400 and an isolated slugging percentage over .200 in 250+ plate appearances in '23. White Jr. walked at an outstanding 15.6% rate, but his weakest tool, his hit tool, raised a red flag. He also struck out in 27.2% of his plate appearances. Although he struck out at a below-average rate, White Jr. still finished the year with an OPS of .881, a wOBA of .401, and a wRC+ clocking in at 139.

White Jr. was limited to 375 plate appearances in 2024, and did not perform nearly as well when he was able to take the field. He hit a meager .167/.275/.340 with a .290 wOBA and 80 wRC+. White Jr. still managed a respectable 9.6% walk rate and showed off both power and speed. He hit 14 homers with a quality .173 isolated slugging percentage and swiped 15 bags. Unfortunately, that is where the positives end.

White Jr. saw his K% jump all the way to 34.4%. Sure, there were a lot of factors playing against him that he had little to no control over. He had a .219 batting average on balls in play (compared to .373 in 2023). He also had multiple Injured List stints throughout the season. The South Atlantic League, the league that the Greensboro Grasshoppers play in, was very pitcher-friendly, as the league-average OPS was just .687. Still, all things considered, it was still a poor showing for the budding Pirates prospect.

If White Jr. reaches his ceiling, he could be an annual 20/20 threat with some Gold Gloves in his trophy cabinet. The potential is there. 2025 will only be his age-22 season, but he needs to show some improvement, making enough contact that his power becomes worthwhile. That would make his outlook as a future fourth/fifth outfielder brighter.