Pirates News: Top prospects promoted, Billy Cook streak ends, Dennis Santana

Two of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ more intriguing young pitching prospects are moving up a level.

Right-hander Levi Sterling and left-hander Reinold Navarro have been promoted from Low-A Bradenton to High-A Greensboro, according to Colin Beazley of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette and Chase Ford of MiLB Central.

Sterling, ranked as the Pirates’ No. 12 prospect by MLB Pipeline, was the No. 37 overall pick in the 2024 MLB Draft. The 19-year-old went 4-6 with a 4.31 ERA in 21 starts for Bradenton, recording 112 strikeouts against 39 walks in 94 innings. He finished his Low-A stint on a high note, striking out a career-best 11 batters over six innings against Lakeland on Thursday.

Navarro, meanwhile, has been one of the most dominant strikeout arms in Pittsburgh’s system. The Pirates’ No. 21 prospect posted a 2.60 ERA across 21 appearances, including 14 starts, while striking out a staggering 117 batters in just 69 1/3 innings.

Command remains the obvious area for improvement, as Navarro also issued 60 walks. But the 19-year-old showed his upside again Saturday, retiring the first 14 hitters he faced against Lakeland before earning his fifth win.

Both pitchers will now receive a tougher test in the South Atlantic League.

Billy Cook finally earns first major-league walk in Pirates win over Red Sox

History was made at PNC Park on Sunday. Well, technically.

Billy Cook drew the first walk of his Major League career in the bottom of the third inning against the Boston Red Sox, snapping an almost comical streak to begin his time in the majors.

Cook had gone his first 86 career games and 101 plate appearances without receiving a free pass before finally working his way aboard Sunday. It wasn’t exactly Barry Bonds-level plate discipline, but everyone has to start somewhere.

The walk was actually productive, too. Cook loaded the bases for Henry Davis, who followed with a sacrifice fly that scored Jake Mangum and helped the Pirates manufacture a run in their eventual 8-3 win over Boston.

For Cook, the moment won’t make many career highlight reels, but it did end one of the stranger statistical droughts on Pittsburgh’s roster. After 101 walk-less plate appearances, Cook can finally say he has mastered one of baseball’s oldest skills: taking ball four.

Dennis Santana returns to majors with NL Wild Card contender

Former Pirates reliever Dennis Santana is getting another shot in the majors less than a month after Pittsburgh moved on from him.

The Arizona Diamondbacks selected Santana’s contract from Triple-A Reno before Sunday’s game, adding the right-hander to their bullpen amid an NL Wild Card race. Santana signed a minor league deal with Arizona on Aug. 6 after the Pirates designated him for assignment in July and ultimately released him.

It was a remarkable fall for a pitcher who had been one of Pittsburgh’s most reliable relievers over the previous two seasons. Santana posted a 2.44 ERA in 44.1 innings after the Pirates claimed him off waivers in June 2024, then followed with a 2.18 ERA across 70.1 innings in 2025.

That effectiveness disappeared this season. Santana recorded a 6.05 ERA in 41.2 innings for Pittsburgh while allowing eight home runs.

Arizona may only need Santana as a short-term bullpen option, but his return gives him an opportunity to salvage a disastrous 2026 season.

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