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3 Pirates position player prospects who took important steps forward in 2024

These three position player prospects have taken a step foward during the 2024 season.
ByNoah Wright|
Mar 15, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Jack Brannigan (83) runs thes base afterhitting a home run during the third inning against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
Mar 15, 2024; Tampa, Florida, USA; Pittsburgh Pirates infielder Jack Brannigan (83) runs thes base afterhitting a home run during the third inning against the New York Yankees at George M. Steinbrenner Field. Mandatory Credit: Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images | Kim Klement Neitzel-Imagn Images
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Jack Brannigan

The Pirates took Jack Brannigan as their fourth-round pick in 2022. The infielder had an outstanding 2023 breakout, falling one home run shy of a 20/20 season, and sporting an OPS over .900 and a 149 wRC+. Brannigan has made some major improvements to his game while spending most of his season at a premium position at High-A.

Brannigan has turned in a .238/.344/.490 triple-slash this season in 341 plate appearances. He’s delivered a good amount of power, as expected, with a .252 isolated slugging percentage and 18 home runs. He has also been a threat to steal, with a dozen stolen bases in 15 attempts. Brannigan has struck out just over a quarter of the time with a 26.1% K%, but he has walked in 11.7% of his plate appearances. All told, he has a .378 wOBA and 135 wRC+.

Brannigan significantly cut down on the strikeouts. He struck out just over a third of the time while playing for Greensboro last year with a 33.5% K%. But this season, he cut that down to 26.1%. Meanwhile, his walk rate barely budged, as he drew ball four 12.1% of the time last year at High-A.

Brannigan also started to lift the ball more. His fly ball rate last year was 43.9%, but nearly hit 50% this year at 49.7%. This may have contributed to his significant drop in batting average on balls in play from .363 to .276, but given his raw power, lifting the ball more frequently will lead to more home runs.

Brannigan also showed off some solid defense at shortstop. The Pirates drafted him as a third baseman/RHP. He hasn’t pitched in pro ball, but played a handful of games up the middle last year. But in 2024, most of his innings in the field were at shortstop. He still played a good amount of third base, but he has the defensive chops to stay up the middle long term.

Brannigan missed a chunk of the second half, but is good to go and was back in action before Greensboro entered their playoffs. He is already 24, and should at least start next season at Altoona. Given his age, though, a hot start could lead to an early season promotion to Triple-A Indianapolis.

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