3 biggest Pittsburgh Pirates prospect breakouts of 2024

Alessandro Ercolani

Alessandro Ercolani posted about league-average numbers at A-Ball last year for the Bradenton Marauders. It was his first extended look in pro ball, and a promising one for the then 19-year-old right-hander. Ercolani’s performance at A-Ball earned him a promotion to Greensboro to start the year, and he’s posting even better numbers.

Ercolani has pitched 70 innings on the year with a 3.34 ERA, 3.63 FIP, and 1.11 WHIP. He is striking out 30.3% of opponents, but the most important part of his season is his low walk rate. Ercolani struggled with free passes in 2022 and 2023, but now he’s cut his BB% to 8.3%. His 1.03 HR/9 is below average, but marks just about the only blemish on his 2024 report card.

Ercolani has had one bad outing all year that has inflated most of his numbers. On May 22nd, he allowed nine earned runs, three walks, and two homers in just 2.1 innings. His ERA outside of this one singular game is 2.26. Remove that performance, and Ercolani’s walk rate drops to 7.8%, while his strikeout rate rises to 31.6%, and his HR/9 falls to just 0.80.

Ercolani was sitting mid-90s with Bradenton. His pitch mix includes a cutter, slider, curveball, and a changeup. He is listed at 6’2”, 185pounds and throws from a three-quarters arm angle. Ercolani has struggled with command before. His wind up has a quick follow through that had more moving parts earlier in his pro career.

Ercolani has yet to show up on any prospect lists. But given he’ll be just 21 at Altoona next year, you’ll probably start seeing him get more attention. He is young and has performed admirably at every level of the minor leagues thus far. Plus, he’s yet another pitching prospect who broke out this year and will likely open 2025 in the upper levels of the minor leagues.