Infielder Jack Brannigan
Of the three Pirate position player prospects who played in the AFL, infielder Jack Brannigan came into the AFL with the most interest and highest ceiling. Unfortunately for Brannigan, he struggled mightily in the AFL.
Brannigan was the primary shortstop for Salt River, and accumulated 93 PAs in 23 games played. Brannigan had a tremendous regular season hitting for a .275/.390/.574 slash line with 19 home runs and 36 extra base hits between Low-A and High-A, but this did not spill over into the AFL.
The right-handed hitting Brannigan hit for just a .177/.290/.405 slash line in the AFL with 4 home runs, 4 doubles, and a triple. Brannigan also struck out 35 times in AFL play to go with just 9 walks, and he was hit by a pitch 4 times.
Even with his struggles, it's no real reason for concern with Brannigan. The 22-year-old infielder had too strong of a regular season for there to be concern over struggling in a 93 PA sample size in the AFL. 2024 should still be a big season for Brannigan.