3 Pittsburgh Pirates prospects who must build off strong 2024 finishes

The Pittsburgh Pirates saw top prospects like Bubba Chandler and Thomas Harrington follow up their promising 2023 breakout seasons with outstanding 2024 seasons, leading them to become two of the Pirates' best prospects. Chandler and Harrington's great encores put the Pirates in a fantastic position. Both performed well between Double-A and Triple-A, and are now on the doorstep of the Major Leagues. By the end of the 2025 season, both could be playing key roles for the Bucs.

But, below the upper crust, the Pirates have plenty of other prospects coming off solid seasons in 2024. For some, 2024 represented their first extended look in the minor leagues, and some of those unheralded names who finished strong could follow in the footsteps of both Harrington and Chandler. This trio following up their 2024 successes with another good campaign in 2025 will very much help the Pirates in the near future.

3 Pirates prospects who can secure their future with strong follow-up seasons in 2025

Mitch Jebb

Pirates infield prospect Mitch Jebb didn't start off his first full pro season on the right foot. After the first week of June, Jebb was hitting just .197/.258/.292 with a .259 wOBA and 60 wRC+. Jebb wasn't drafted for his power, which was clear by his sub-.100 isolated slugging percentage, but he also struggled to get on base, with a batting average below the Mendoza Line and a mediocre 7.7% walk rate.

However, the most worrisome aspect of this stretch was his 27% K%. Thanfully, from that point forward, Jebb hit .292/.395/.399 with a .373 wOBA and 132 wRC+. Jebb walked nearly as often as he struck out, posting a 13.6% BB% and 14% K%.

Jebb continuing to hit well into 2025 would be big for the Pirates for a few reasons. First, he would likely put himself in a position for the shortstop job for 2026. Isaiah Kiner-Falefa becomes a free agent after the 2025 season, and the shortstop market looks bleak. If IKF looks more like his Blue Jays self in 2025, he would likely be the second-best shortstop on the free agent market next offseason (not including any players with options).

The second reason is that Jebb would immediately become exactly what the Pirates need from the leadoff spot. Pirates leadoff hitters have put up a below-average on-base percentage over the last two seasons. Not only does Jebb hit for average, but he can draw walks at a decent pace. He is also one of the fastest runners in the Pirates' system. Jebb would give the Pirates a lot of chances to score runs by getting on base, stealing, and putting himself into scoring position.

A third reason is that it would be a big win for the Pirates on the hitting development side of things. The Pirates have made many changes among their player development personnel recently. One of the most significant differences year-over-year involves bringing in a hitting coach with a decent reputation in Matt Hague. Hague's preferred approach could work very well with Jebb's play style. Blue Jays rookies have the 10th-best contact rate in baseball since Hague joined the organization in 2020 as a minor-league coach.