Pirates Prospect Update: Evaluator draws Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller comp to Triple-A rotation

By now, everyone knows Paul Skenes, Mitch Keller and Jared Jones as the "Big Three" atop the Pittsburgh Pirates' pitching rotation for the remainder of the 2024 season and beyond.

Add in Bailey Falter and Luis Ortiz – not to mention Johan Oviedo, who is set to return next season after undergoing Tommy John Surgery in December – and it appears that the Pirates' starting rotation is all but set (and then some) for 2025.

However, Pittsburgh's embarrassment of riches doesn't stop at the major league level; the Pirates also have a strong group of quality starting arms in Triple-A Indianapolis who could force their way into the mix as potential MLB rotation pieces next year. Could a new "Big Three" be on its way to Pittsburgh?

Trio of Triple-A arms could challenge for spots in Pirates' major league rotation in 2025

In his most recent prospect tier rankings, Tim Williams of PiratesProspects.com described the three pitchers at the top of Pittsburgh's Triple-A rotation as somewhat of a "lite" version of the Skenes-Keller-Jones trio. Bubba Chandler, Pittsburgh's No. 1 prospect according to MLB Pipeline, draws the obvious comparison to Skenes with his elite velocity, headlined by a fastball that sits in the upper 90s.

Meanwhile, Pittsburgh's No. 3 prospect Thomas Harrington profiles similarly to Keller as a solid starter who won't necessarily blow hitters away with his velocity, but boasts a robust pitch arsenal with above-average secondary stuff. Finally, No. 6 prospect Braxton Ashcraft is the Jones comp, with a pair of plus pitches in his fastball and slider. Williams also notes that Ashcraft (if healthy) could pitch in the majors today as a reliever, though the Pirates are continuing to develop him as a starter.

And the quality rotation options don't end there; No. 16 prospect Mike Burrows was on the cusp of breaking into MLB before he was sidelined by Tommy John surgery in 2023 and is still a viable candidate to pitch in the big leagues next season. If the rotational depth in Indianapolis is an indication of what's to come in Pittsburgh next season and beyond, the future of the Pirates' pitching staff is in exceptionally good hands.

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