Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Best Under Age-20 Performers

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The Pittsburgh Pirates have a handful of prospects who are 20 years old or younger who are putting up strong numbers in the low-levels of the minor leagues.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have prospects spread all throughout their minor league system. While a handful are nearly Major League ready, plenty of others in the lower levels of the minor leagues are also performing well. Typically when you get to Low-A (Bradenton) and lower (like the Florida Complex League and Dominican Summer League), the players are around 20 years old or younger. The Pirates have some standout players from these levels and ages, which I want to highlight today.

The first is Shalin Polanco. Polanco was one of the top international prospects in the 2020-2021 off-season. His first two pro seasons were unimpressive, but he has found his stride at Bradenton this year. Polanco had a poor first month to 2023, but since then, he’s hit .305/.355/.567 with a .415 wOBA and 144 wRC+. Polanco’s 7.1% walk rate and 25.8% strikeout rate need to improve, but he has hit for a fair amount of power with a .267 isolated slugging percentage and nine home runs in his last 157 plate appearances.

Polanco is a well-rounded prospect with no discernable weakness, though none of his tools stand out as outstanding either. He could end up with 50-55 grade tools all the way around by the time he’s fully developed. Many saw Polanco as a breakout prospect heading into the 2023 campaign, and it seems like he’s found what made him such a highly touted international guy not that long ago. Polanco is only 19 and won’t turn 20 until February, so he’s got some ways to go.

2021 draft class outfielder

The second outfield prospect we’ll look at today is Lonnie White Jr. White Jr. was the Pirates’ competitive balance round pick in 2021. Selected 64th overall, White Jr. was one of the standout prep outfielders in his draft class. His first two years in pro ball were marred by injuries, as he only 40 times in 2021 and 2022. When he did play, however, he had a 123 wRC+, .316 isolated slugging percentage, and .879 OPS. However, he also struck out 17 times and drew just two walks.

White Jr. is still at the Complex League but is batting a hefty .327/.413/.455 through 63 plate appearances. He hasn’t hit for nearly as much power, but his walk rate is up to 12.7%. His 27% strikeout rate is also an improvement but still needs to be refined. White has stolen five bases in five attempts and was known for his outstanding speed and fielding. White Jr. could end up as a Byron Buxton-type hitter. He might not have a high average or OBP, but he’ll go into every year as a potential 30/30 threat with Gold Glove defense in center.

Young pitchers to watch

The Pirates also have some young pitchers performing well. Jun-Seok Shim was the Pirates’ big international signee in 2022-2023, and he’s pitched 5.1 innings, has allowed just one earned run and one walk, and struck out ten batters.

Their fourth-round 2022 pick, Michael Kennedy, has also made a solid first impression. He’s pitched 10.2 innings, allowing just one earned run, and has struck out 17. But walks have been a bit of an issue for him, as he’s dealt seven free passes.

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