3 exciting Pittsburgh Pirates prospects who will get an extended look in 2025

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The Pittsburgh Pirates have graduated a ton of top prospects over the last two years, leaving their farm system filled with prospects who have yet to have a chance to make a name for themselves. They may be recent draft picks or international signees. Still, they have yet to play professionally or play above a short-season level like the Florida Complex League or Dominican Summer League.

But next year, these prospects should get a chance at extended playing time. They’ve either excelled in the FCL or DSL this year and have earned that promotion, or were a draft pick that is talented enough to play at Bradenton sometime during 2025. Either way, these exciting Pirates prospects will get a longer look next season.

David Matoma

David Matoma is a fun player to talk about, so I’ll always look for any excuse to bring him up. Since the Ugandan-born right-hander should open 2025 at Bradenton, the first full-season level of the minor leagues, we should finally get to see what the flamethrower can do in a full sample size. He excelled at the Florida Complex League, displaying elite stuff on the mound.

Matoma pitched 22 innings, working to an 0.82 ERA, 3.10 FIP, and 1.09 WHIP. He struck out 30.4% of opponents with a 9.8% walk rate. Matoma allowed just a single home run through his time at the FCL. It was a small sample size where Matoma was only utilized as a reliever, but he flashed his potential when given playing time.

Matoma has a sizzling fastball that sits in the upper 90s and tops out in the triple digits. His secondaries include a slider that has shown above-average potential, as well as a changeup. Matoma has some projectability, given his 6’0”, 155-pound frame. Matoma was only used out of the bullpen last year. While there’s a chance he could develop as a starter, Matoma is probably best suited for the 'pen.

Matoma has the upside of a potential lockdown closer in the near future. He is already topping out in the triple digits while only being 18 years old (19 in February). There are not very many teenagers in the world who can throw as hard as Matoma can. He could potentially be one of the best relief prospects in baseball by the end of next season.

Matt Ager

The Pirates had a very strong 2024 draft class. One of the reasons is because they took Matt Ager in the sixth round (174th overall) of the draft. Ager was considered a top 150 draft prospect by MLB Pipeline (ranked 135th), and Baseball America was even more bullish on Ager’s potential, ranking him at No. 104 on their draft board.

Ager took off in 2023 with UC Santa Barbara after he put up a 3.12 ERA, 1.05 WHIP, and 4.42 K:BB ratio. He took a step back from his impressive 2023 season in the follow-up effort, posting just a 4.02 ERA, 1.39 WHIP, and 2.11 K:BB ratio. MLB Pipeline reported that he had an oblique issue during the offseason in November, which may have caused some of his problems this past college season.

Ager’s primary pitches are his fastball and slider. His four-seamer sits in the low 90s and tops out around 95-96 MPH. His low-80s slider is the pitch he gets most of his swings and misses on. It projects as an average to above-average offering. Ager throws a 12-6 curveball, as well as a changeup. He’ll need to use these pitches more as he heads into pro ball, and hopefully, more usage will help him sharpen these two offerings up.

Ager is a tall-framed pitcher, standing at 6’6”. He is listed at 225 pounds, which, given his height, leaves some projectability left. The right-hander has a quick and short-arm delivery with low effort, which has helped him keep his motions in check and repeat his delivery.

The right-hander may not have improved upon his 2023 season at the collegiate level, but that may only mean the Pirates got a steal in the sixth round. Ager is 21 and will turn 22 in late May of next year. He should kick his ‘25 campaign off with the Marauders, where we will see if he can return closer to his 2023 form. He certainly has the potential to do so.

Wyatt Sanford

Before the Pirates drafted Ager in the sixth round, they took high school infielder Wyatt Sanford in the second round. Sanford was considered a top 50 draft prospect by both MLB Pipeline and Baseball America. Although Sanford is only going to be 19 for all of 2025, he should get the chance to receive a decent amount of plate appearances next year.

Sanford’s best tools are his speed and fielding. He’s a plus runner who has the potential to post consistent 20-stolen-base seasons. Not only should he stick at shortstop long-term, but he should excel at the position as well. The worst case scenario is that he becomes a super utility player, but he definitely has both the skills with the glove and the arm to play wherever.

Sanford projects to have an average to above-average hit tool. The infielder has a quick swing that facilitates decent contact. Sanford has seen an uptick in bat speed, which should help him add some pop. He may never be a huge home run hitter, but someone who could consistently give you 10-12 dingers a season with a .260-.270 batting average at his best is still valuable. Sanford has also displayed a good eye at the dish, punishing pitches inside the zone without trouble.

The Pirates aren’t unfamiliar with giving teenage position player prospects a look at Bradenton. The Marauders have three prospects that are 19 on their roster right now, each of whom will likely end the season with over 300 plate appearances between the FCL and Bradenton. 300-350 plate appearances is a large enough sample size to at least give a rough idea of what Sanford is potentially capable of.

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