Pirates Prospect Update: Fan favorite prospect rises ranks, another one step away from MLB

Two of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ top infield prospects are moving closer to the major leagues as the organization reshuffles its minor-league system following the All-Star break.

Third baseman Murf Gray has been promoted from High-A Greensboro to Double-A Altoona, according to MLB.com’s Jonathan Mayo, while infielder Duce Gourson is moving from Altoona to Triple-A Indianapolis.

For Gray, the promotion represents another major step forward during a breakout first full season of professional baseball. For Gourson, it puts the Pirates’ No. 27 prospect just one level away from reaching Pittsburgh.

Gray began the season with Single-A Bradenton before earning a promotion to Greensboro on May 19. He spent roughly eight weeks in High-A before the Pirates determined that South Atlantic League pitching was no longer providing enough of a challenge.

The 21-year-old was outstanding in 43 games for Greensboro, slashing .302/.381/.610 with a .991 OPS. He collected eight doubles, 15 home runs and 36 RBI while drawing 22 walks against 41 strikeouts.

Gray was especially dominant in June, batting .333 with a .417 on-base percentage and a .644 slugging percentage. He produced six doubles, seven homers and 15 RBI in 22 games, earning South Atlantic League Player of the Month honors.

Pirates top infield prospects Murf Gray, Duce Gourson earn promotions at All-Star break

The Pirates selected Gray with the No. 73 overall pick in the 2025 MLB Draft out of Fresno State, and he has quickly established himself as one of the organization’s most exciting young hitters.

Across 81 games between Bradenton and Greensboro this season, Gray is batting .328/.406/.608 with 19 doubles, 23 home runs and 70 RBI. Among Pirates minor leaguers, Gray leads the organization in home runs, RBI, runs scored (66) and hits (103). He also owns the best batting average, slugging percentage and OPS among Pittsburgh prospects who have played at least 50 games.

That performance has helped Gray climb Pittsburgh’s prospect rankings. MLB Pipeline lists him at No. 18 in the Pirates' system and as the No. 10 third base prospect in baseball.

Gray has primarily remained at third base, starting 33 games there for Greensboro while also making 11 starts at DH. His bat will remain his carrying tool, but the Pirates have continued giving him opportunities to establish himself at the hot corner.

Double-A pitching will provide Gray with his most difficult challenge yet. It is often the level where legitimate major-league prospects separate themselves, and Gray’s performance in Altoona should offer a better indication of how quickly he could reach Pittsburgh. If his production carries over, an MLB debut sometime during the 2027 season may not be out of the question.

Gourson, ranked as the Pirates’ No. 27 prospect by MLB Pipeline, will now face Triple-A competition and place himself firmly on the organization’s major-league radar as a potential infield depth option.

The Pirates have accumulated significant infield depth throughout their farm system, creating a crowded path for prospects trying to reach Pittsburgh. Gourson’s promotion suggests the organization still views him as someone capable of separating himself from that group.

Gray may be the bigger name and the faster-rising prospect, but both promotions offer another encouraging sign for a Pirates system that is beginning to push more position-player talent toward the upper minor leagues.

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