3 Pittsburgh Pirates prospects primed for breakout seasons in 2025

Zander Mueth

The Pirates took many pitchers in the 2023 draft. In addition to Curtis, they also selected Zander Mueth early. Mueth was a high school pick who the Bucs selected 67th overall with their second-round competitive balance pick. Mueth has one of the highest ceilings among all Pirates pitching prospects, and will get his first extended look in 2025.

Mueth pitched 74 innings between the Florida Complex League and A-Ball in 2024, working to a 2.31 ERA and 1.31 WHIP, but a poor 4.59 FIP. The young right-hander struck out 23.8% of opponents faced and rarely allowed home runs. He allowed just two long balls, including none while with Bradenton. Granted, he induced just a 90.5 MPH exit velocity and 7.7% barrel rate, both of which were below average. Mueth was also very prone to walks, allowing 15.1% of opponents to reach via free pass.

Mueth uses three pitches on the mound. His sinker sits 93-94 MPH, topping out at 97 MPH at Bradenton. Baseball America pins it as a 60-grade pitch. He only has one breaking pitch, that being a slider, a second offering in his arsenal that BA grades out as a plus offering. Finally, there’s his mid-80s change-up. Although it’s behind both his sinker and slider, it is still an offering that has average potential.

There's a good chance that Mueth’s stuff could play up to an even higher level because of his deceptiveness. His release point extension was measured at 7.1 feet. For reference, Bailey Falter was in the 98th percentile of release point extension in the Major Leagues in 2024 at 7.3 feet. This makes his stuff look faster out of the hand. A 95 MPH fastball will look more like a 96 MPH fastball to the batter. Mueth’s arm angle is also very low at just 4.67 feet. For a Major League comparison, look at former All-Star closer Alexis Diaz or former Pirates pitcher Rich Hill.

Mueth’s 2024 season had its ups and downs, but there’s still a ton of promise here. He stands at 6’6”, 205 pounds at just 19 years old. He does not turn 20 until late June. With his mix of youth, stuff, and deception, Mueth has a chance to be one of the Pirates’ best prospects within the coming years, and is someone to watch potentially break out in 2025.