4 non-top 10 prospects who could crash the Pirates' big league roster next season

Many of the Pirates’ top prospects broke through at the end of the 2025 season, and the success of those young players, in particular Braxton Ashcraft, Bubba Chandler, and Mike Burrows, has invigorated the fanbase. Luckily, Pittsburgh never seems to lack interesting farmhands, no matter how many prospects make it to the big leagues. These four underrated players are poised to break into the majors at some point in 2026.

Outfielder Sammy Siani

If the Pirates fail to address the hole in their outfield through free agency, several prospects may get big-league playing time earlier than expected. Billy Cook and Ronny Simon already got a taste of the majors, and Sammy Siani may be the next in line for a trial run thanks to his strong finish with Triple-A Indianapolis in 2025.

Having been drafted out of high school, Siani has added some bulk to his frame and finally saw his power materialize in a .163 isolated slugging percentage in 25 Triple-A games.

More prospects with huge breakout potential are on their way for the Pirates.

Siani was once considered a prized prospect, ranked No. 8 in the system by MLB Pipeline in 2020, but he stalled at High-A Greensboro. Now that he’s finally gotten over that hurdle, he has a chance to make good. His walk rate has increased (a boon for a player with his speed), and his strikeout rate is much more manageable. If the Pirates are choosing between trotting out a Jack Suwinski/Alexander Canario platoon and a prospect, they could do worse than giving Siani some looks.

Outfielder Esmerlyn Valdez

If Siani does get a shot at the bigs, he better make the most of it because Esmerlyn Valdez is hot on his heels. The outfielder, who can also play first base, has prodigious power, which has been on full display recently in the Arizona Fall League. Valdez only has 51 games at Double-A under his belt, and he saw a bit of a regression in his numbers. It wouldn’t be surprising if the Pirates sent him back to Altoona to begin the year. That said, if he keeps up his slugging, he could be the offensive sparkplug that Pittsburgh needs.

Pitcher Po-Yu Chen

At some point, the well of Pirates pitching prospects has to dry up, but 2026 won’t be the year that happens. Anthony Solometo will get most of the headlines, but Po-Yu Chen could make his debut before his former Curve teammate. Chen has a wicked curveball and a mid-90s fastball that combine for solid strikeout numbers. If he can find a way to sneak into the rotation or a long-relief role, he should have the stuff to be a benefit to the big-league club.

Pitcher Jaden Woods

Unlike Chen, Jaden Woods has been, since draft day, a reliever. He’s a lefty with a swing-and-miss fastball-slider combo. In his second year with Double-A Altoona, Woods took a considerable step back and struggled with location. He coughed up a lot of fly balls and will look to resolve those issues in the Arizona Fall League. A strong fall and spring could put him back into the Pirates’ bullpen conversation at some point next year.