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.

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.