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

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Top 100 prospect status is a title many players likely strive for. Not only does it mean they are one of the most talented players in the minor leagues, but now with the prospect promotion incentive, it gives them a better opportunity to open the year on their club’s Opening Day roster.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have plenty of young talent, but many of these potential stars have yet to accrue many reps, and are just now getting an extended look. Plus, many new draft picks have yet to play an inning in pro ball. In a few years, some of these young minor leaguers could find themselves as part of "Top 100 Prospect" lists compiled by experts across baseball.

3 Pirates prospects with 'Top 100' potential

Jhonny Severino

One of the top prospects the Pirates received at the 2023 trade deadline was infielder Jhonny Severino. He was sent to Pittsburgh in a one-for-one deal for veteran first baseman Carlos Santana. Severino has looked very good in his first extended look as a pro ballplayer. He is only 19 and at A-Ball, where he is crushing opposing pitchers.

Between A-Ball and the Florida Complex League, Severino has made 283 plate appearances. He has batted .289/.367/.537 with a .417 wOBA and 140 wRC+. He has only struck out 17.3% of the time with a solid 11.3% walk rate. Severino is known for his power potential, and he’s put that on display so far with a .248 isolated slugging percentage and a dozen dingers.

Severino’s time at Bradenton has been extremely promising. He has an .858 OPS, .397 wOBA, and 141 wRC+ since getting promoted to the Marauders, but the most promising aspect of his game is his 20.3% whiff rate. Severino has struggled to make contact consistently in the past, so seeing a whiff rate hovering around 20% is very good.

Severino is a 6’2”, 185-pound infielder. He has split his time almost evenly between shortstop and third base. His arm is above average, which will play on the left side of the infield. He’s shown to at least project as an average defensive shortstop, but given he is already considered a fringy runner, he may have to move to the hot corner full time. Severino’s best tool is his power potential.

Hopefully, Severino swinging and missing as infrequently as he has this year can continue as he moves up the minor league ladder. If he continues to swing and miss at a similar level, he’ll definitely move up prospect rankings -- and if he can do it in a full season next year while still hitting for power, he may end up on the back end of some top 100 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.

Josh Hartle

The first college player the Pirates took in the 2024 draft was left-handed pitcher Josh Hartle. The Pirates took the lefty in the third round with their fourth pick of the draft out of Wake Forest. Hartle signed for $850K. While his profile may not scream "Top 100 Prospects," the Pirates have a knack for typically bringing out the best in soft-tossing lefty pitchers. Don’t be entirely surprised if Hartle becomes another lefty who doesn’t throw hard who thrives under the Pirates' watch.

Hartle showed a lot of promise in 2023, and many projected him to go within the first round. However, he took a step back in 2024. Through 74.2 innings, Hartle worked to the tune of a 5.79 ERA, 1.55 WHIP, and 3.24 K:BB ratio. Hartle surrendered 13 home runs, leading to a 1.57 HR/9 rate. He also struck out 23.3% of opponents with a quality 7.2% walk rate.

Hartle currently only averages around 90-91 MPH, but his fastball has sinking action that makes it an effective pitch. He employs two different breaking balls: a sweeping slider and a cutter. Between the two, his slider is the better pitch, though his cutter still projects as average. His fourth pitch is a changeup. Hartle has also shown above-average to plus command over all of his offerings.

Hartle is 6’5”, 210 pounds, and throws from a low three-quarters arm slot. He has some similar attributes to Hunter Barco, who has performed well this year. Hartle’s size gives him some projectability to add some velocity. With his command and movement, some added speed will definitely move him up prospect rankings, possibly to a point where he is a top 100 prospect.

Home / Pirates Prospects

3 Pirates prospects with 'Top 100' potential

Jhonny Severino

Levi Sterling

Josh Hartle

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