Pirates stay among MLB’s top farm risers even after pitching trades

For years, “wait until the prospects arrive” has felt like a tired refrain in Pittsburgh. We’ve heard about waves before — some hit the shore, some fizzled at sea, some never quite became what we hoped.

But here we are in 2026, finally watching Paul Skenes anchor the front of the Pirates’ rotation like a generational talent should. And somehow the farm system behind him isn’t just holding steady — it’s getting better.

MLB Pipeline called the Pirates one of the most improved farm systems in baseball this year –– and that's after they graduated the best pitching prospect of a generation and traded away a handful of arms to improve their offense. In past eras of Pirates baseball, losing that degree of young pitching talent would have left the system hollowed-out. But now? The farm still ranks among MLB’s biggest risers.

The biggest driver is obvious. Konnor Griffin, the consensus No. 1 prospect in baseball, has officially gone from “high-ceiling prep athlete” to “face-of-the-franchise-in-waiting.” He's a five-tool superstar who can play shortstop or center field, and he has game-breaker potential.

And giving credit where it’s due, the Pirates had a hand in developing Griffin. Not every top prep bat figures it out. Not every five-tool talent turns potential into production. Griffin did, and he did it in a way that changes the trajectory of a franchise. A real superstar can do that, and that alone gets a system noticed.

And it wasn't just Griffin, either. This wasn’t a one-player leap. The Pirates also have Edward Florentino, a breakout prospect who suddenly looks like a real future impact outfielder. They have Esmerlyn Valdez, another arrow-up talent putting together loud offensive growth. And now, they also have Seth Hernandez –– a swing-for-ceiling prep arm at sixth overall, signaling they are chasing impact, not just floor.

Pirates had one of MLB's most-improved farm systems in 2025

The most encouraging part about all of this? MLB Pipeline specifically framed the Pirates' farm growth around the major league roster:

“Surrounding Paul Skenes with more talent in Pittsburgh should be a high priority — and the chances that some of that help could arrive internally is higher now than it was in March.”

Internal help is more likely now than it was just months ago. That’s how winning organizations are built. For once, the Pirates aren’t just drafting talent — they’re developing it.

Make no mistake –– the Pirates still need to keep spending, support the roster, convert promise into wins, and avoid wasting Paul Skenes' prime. But an improving farm system means mistakes don’t destroy you. It means injuries don’t end you. It means windows can stay open longer.

That’s the difference between being a flash-in-the-pan Wild Card team and becoming the kind of franchise that expects playoff baseball.

Pirates fans have heard “hope” before. But this time, that hope has structure. The development model is working, the system is deeper, the stars are real, and the plan looks intentional.

This doesn’t guarantee October, but it means the Pirates aren’t just chasing lightning in a bottle –– they’re building something. And in Pittsburgh, that’s the most encouraging development of all.