3 Pittsburgh Pirates prospects who could break onto Top 100 prospect lists

Levi Sterling

The Pirates took three high school players with their first three picks in 2024. Their second pick after Konnor Griffin was right-handed pitcher Levi Sterling. Sterling was one of the country's best prep arms heading into the draft. The Pirates took him 37th overall and signed him to an overslot deal worth just over $2.5 million, prying him away from his Texas commitment.

Sterling already sits in the low 90s and tops out at 94. Along with his fastball, Sterling will throw a curveball that comes in around the mid-70s, a slider in the low-80s, and a changeup that also sits low-80s. Sterling’s best pitches are his fastball, curveball, and changeup, but his slider still flashes average potential. Sterling can also command his stuff well and can dot the zone with his heater.

There are some other factors that make Sterling a high-ceiling prospect. He is a projectable right-handed pitcher. Sterling stands at 6’4” and 190 pounds. He definitely has room to add some strength. He is also young, as he doesn’t turn 18 until the start of September. He was the sixth youngest player and the third youngest pitcher in this year’s draft. Sterling throws from almost a sidearm arm slot, which creates a level of deception and helps level up his already good stuff.

In a few years, we may be talking about Sterling the same way we are talking about Bubba Chandler now. Sterling is a very high ceiling pitcher. He already throws good stuff with good command, and does so while being young and projectable.