Pirates prospect pegged for 2026 breakout after legendary AFL Derby showing

The Pittsburgh Pirates' minor league system is brimming with talent. You've got No. 1 overall prospect Konnor Griffin headlining things, but intriguing youngsters abound with Seth Hernandez, Edward Florentino, Jhostynxon Garcia, and many more tantalizing both fans and evaluators alike.

But when it comes to determining the Pirates' next breakout prospect, one has to reach down. Way down. All the way to No. 30 on the MLB Pipeline list for the organization, where towering Tony Blanco Jr. resides. The 6-foot-7 outfielder and first baseman was named as Pittsburgh's top minor league breakout candidate, and it's not hard to see why.

Signed out of the Dominican Republic in January 2022, it's been a rough go for Blanco in terms of staying on the field. Injuries have besieged the youngster, and then in 2025, he lost his MLB veteran father in the Jet Set nightclub tragedy in Santo Domingo, which also claimed the lives of Octavio Dotel, Nelsy Cruz (sister of Nelson Cruz and governor of the Monte Cristi province in the Dominican Republic), and dozens more.

All of this has left Blanco Jr. sidelined more often than not. Still just 20 years old, the youngster has yet to record more than 157 plate appearances in a single season. But perhaps 2026 is the year that all changes.

Pirates' prospect Tony Blanco Jr. named as a top breakout candidate

Despite his early setbacks, Blanco Jr. has a skillset that will make your mouth water. The 243-pound specimen finally made it to A-ball in 2025, suiting up for Bradenton and drawing comparisons to Pirates enigma Oneil Cruz, in both good and bad ways.

Blanco Jr. regularly smoked balls, hitting a max exit velocity of 119.8 miles per hour on a ball that ended up being a walk-off homer. His average exit velocity came in at a stellar 93.1 miles per hour, and his barrel rate was an astonishing 16.9%.

While those numbers are eye-popping, it shouldn't be much of a surprise. Blanco Jr. is built like an NFL defensive end, and when he gets a hold of one, watch out.

Though he slashed .264/.368/.491 at Bradenton and posted a strong 14.4% walk rate, he emulated Cruz with the swing-and-miss tendencies that jump off the page, posting a 33.6% strikeout rate. Though he's seldom played, those Ks have been a consistent bugaboo.

Despite the immense power and Statcast excellence, Blanco Jr. had flown mostly under the radar until this fall. He suited up in the Arizona Fall League this offseason, and while fellow Pirates prospect Esmerlyn Valdez stole most of the spotlight, Blanco Jr. began getting recognition of his own.

There, he continued his insane exit velocity performance, roping a double that hit 120.4 miles per hour in exit velocity, and, with a little help of his jersey number (No. 99), began to draw Aaron Judge comparisons.

If that wasn't enough to get the hype train moving, Blanco Jr. would soon one-up himself, putting on an absolute show in the AFL Home Run Derby. There, he crushed one of the fastest recorded balls Statcast has ever recorded, 122.9 miles per hour, hit a 500-foot moonshot, and took home the Derby's crown.

Blanco Jr. has the tools to be successful, and if he can stay healthy and on the field, he could be a huge riser in 2026. He'll have to contend with that strikeout issue, but if he does, watch out.