5 impressive young players the Pirates should target in a Caleb Ferguson trade

Colton Ledbetter

Fans don't like it when their team trades with the Tampa Bay Rays, given their ability to find diamonds in the rough like it's nothing. However, they will probably be buyers at the deadline. They are only a handful of games out of the AL East, and are currently in possession of a Wild Card spot. The only left-handers in their bullpen are Garrett Cleavinger and Mason Montgomery. One outfield prospect the Pirates should request in a Ferguson deal is Colton Ledbetter.

Ledbetter was the Rays' second-round pick in 2023 and has shown some solid potential throughout their minor-league system. This year, Ledbetter is slashing .287/.363/.423 through 303 plate appearances for their Double-A affiliate. He has drawn walks at a 10.2% rate, but has a strikeout percentage of 25.1%. However, that is an improvement over the 8.1% walk rate and 28.3% strikeout rate he had in 2024 at High-A. Overall, Ledbetter has a .374 wOBA and 133 wRC+.

Ledbetter is an above-average runner and has already stolen 20 bases in 27 attempts. He also swiped 34 bags last season. Ledbetter doesn't project to hit for a ton of power, but his hit tool seems to be improving, given his steps forward in batting average, walk rate, and strikeout rate. Ledbetter has seen time at all three outfield positions and is a quality defender.

Ledbetter is only at Double-A, but given he is 23 and doing well at his respective level, he could be MLB-ready by next year. The Pirates need young outfielders, and Ledbetter is improving his game while moving up to the next level of the minor leagues. 

Otto Kemp

The Philadelphia Phillies have already shown interest in two of the Pirates' relievers, David Bednar and Dennis Santana, so it wouldn't be a massive shock if they were interested in Caleb Ferguson as well. After all, one of their best left-handed relievers, Jose Alvarado, was hit with a PED suspension earlier this year, which also means he'll be ineligible for the Postseason. If the Phils go after Ferguson, the Pirates should demand Otto Kemp in return.

Kemp has appeared in 24 major league games this year, but hasn't done all that well. On the flip side, he has hit very well at Triple-A. Kemp is slashing .313/.416/.594 with a 162 wRC+ throughout 269 plate appearances. He's hitting for a ton of pop, with 14 home runs already and a .281 isolated slugging percentage. Kemp is having no trouble hitting the ball hard, with a 91.2 MPH exit velocity and 13.8% barrel rate, but has struck out 28.1% of the time with a 34.6% whiff rate.

Like Black, while Kemp can play multiple positions, he isn't considered a plus defender anywhere. He has primarily taken the field at first base in the major leagues, but has experience at second base, third base, and left field. He projects as an average defender overall, with a strong enough arm to see playing time in the outfield grass and on the left side of the infield.

Kemp is older, as he turns 26 in September. However, the Pirates could utilize him as a right-handed hitting complement to Spencer Horwitz. He has an xwOBA over .400 against lefties this year at Triple-A. He could also be utilized in left field, replacing Tommy Pham once the Pirates deal him.