Pirates Prospect Update: David Bednar trade return heats up, Seth Hernandez, Brandon Bidois

When the Pittsburgh Pirates dealt two-time All-Star closer David Bednar to the New York Yankees at the July trade deadline, fans weren't exactly thrilled with the return of three minor league prospects. However, the headliner of the trio – catcher and first baseman Rafael Flores – has gotten off to an auspicious start in his first 30-plus games as a member of the Pirates organization.

Through 31 games at Triple-A Indianapolis, Flores has racked up 34 hits, including 10 for extra bases. He has also hit five home runs and driven in 23 RBI while slashing .293/.370/.474. Last week, he went 9-21 (.429) in six games against Columbus. He hit a home run, drove in six and struck out twice during that span – a major development, considering the fact that his high strikeout rate had been a major area of concern at the time he was traded.

It's a small sample size, but the early returns have been positive for Flores. If he can continue to hit (while keeping the whiffs to a minimum), he could end up being a sneaky good piece for the Pirates moving forward.

First-round pick Seth Hernandez projected as Pirates' top prospect in 2027

In MLB Pipeline's recent projections for each club's top prospect in 2027, Jim Callis, Sam Dykstra and Jonathan Mayo tabbed right-handed pitcher Seth Hernandez as the next man up for the Pirates.

Hernandez was selected by Pittsburgh at No. 6 overall in this year's MLB Draft, where he was considered the best prep pitcher in the class. Callis, Dykstra and Mayo said that Hernandez has "frontline starter potential," which will be on display in his first full pro season in 2026.

If all goes according to plan, Hernandez will be the heir apparent to Konnor Griffin as the Pirates' No. 1 prospect. The latter has been on a tear in his first full season and will likely graduate to the big leagues during his age-20 season in 2026, thereby removing his prospect status for the following year.

Pirates pitching prospect Brandon Bidois continues streak at Triple-A

In a farm system rife with quality pitching, even unranked right-hander Brandon Bidois has been making headlines for the Pirates.

Spanning two levels of Pittsburgh's farm system – Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis – Bidois hasn't allowed a hit to the last 64 batters he's faced. He last gave up a hit on July 29 while pitching for Altoona.

Bidois has now thrown 16 innings over 11 appearances without giving up a hit, with 9 2/3 innings coming after his promotion to Triple-A on Aug. 19. Across all four levels of the Pirates' farm system this season, he has a minuscule ERA of 0.78 with 67 strikeouts over 57 2/3 innings pitched.