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

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.