Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Recapping Position Players Performance in the AFL

With Arizona Fall League play in the rear view mirror, let's take a look at how the three Pittsburgh Pirates position player prospects who played in the AFL performed

With Saturday's championship game, the Arizona Fall League has come to an end. Even prior to Saturday's matchup between the Surprise Saguaros and Peoria Javelinas, it was already over for Pittsburgh Pirates prospects and the Salt River Rafters.

The Rafters finished AFL play with a 14-16 record. This was tied for 4th place in the six team Arizona Fall League. Now that AFL play is in the rear view mirror, we can begin to recap how the AFL went for Pirate prospects. We will start today by taking a look at how the three Pirate position player prospects who were on Salt River's roster performed.

Catcher Carter Bins

Carter Bins entered the AFL in need of a strong showing. Outside of 6 rehab appearances between the Florida Complex League and Low-A Bradenton, the 25-year-old catcher spent his 2023 season with Double-A Altoona. This came after he had reached the Triple-A level in 2022.

Bins had a total of 118 plate appearances in 31 minor league games in 2023. In these 118 PAs, Bins hit for just a .212/.297/.337 slash line. An injured filled season combined with one that sees offensive struggles is not a recipe for success for any prospect.

In the AFL, Bins put together the strong showing he was in need of. Bins had 42 PAs with the Rafters he hit for a .300/.333/.550 slash line. Bins hit 2 home runs, 4 doubles, and drove in 6 runs for the Rafters.

Looking ahead to 2024, Bins will likely start the season at Triple-A Indinapolis. Especially since the Pirates will likely want fellow catching prospect Abrahan Gutierrez playing every day at Double-A. Regardless, Bins certainly put a good foot forward with his AFL performance.

Outfielder/First Baseman Jase Bowen

Right-handed hitting Jase Bowen played multiple positions for the Rafters. Bowen played all three outfield positions, while also playing first base. This came after the 23-year-old Bowen played all four of those positions during the 2023 minor league season as well.

Bowen hit for a .255/.327/.467 slash line with 23 home runs, 18 doubles, and 6 triples in 526 PAs between High-A and Double-A in the regular season. This success carried over into the AFL where he hit even better than he did in the regular season.

During the AFL season Bowen was one of Salt River's best hitters. In 111 PAs he hit for a .290/.355/.500 slash line. Bowen hit 4 home runs, 5 doubles, and 2 triples. He walked 9 times, was hit by pitch, drove in 19 runs, and struck out 27 times.

Entering the 2024 season Bowen has become an intriguing power hitting prospect in the Pirate farm system. He will begin the season back with Altoona, but with a season like he had in 2023 will be at Triple-A Indy by the end of 2024, finding himself knocking on the door of the majors.