Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects: Two Break Out Candidates for 2023

Every season each MLB organization has prospects who break out in the minor leagues, in 2023 these two Pittsburgh Pirates prospects could be in line for a breakout campaign

One of the many things that make baseball unique from other sports is the importance of farm systems. While hockey has a minor league setup similar to baseball, the development of prospects and promotion of them during the season is not nearly as prevalent as it is in baseball. In football and basketball, no such thing exists.

Now, fans of the Pittsburgh Pirates may be tired of hearing about prospects and the minor leagues. This would be understandable. After all, the team is coming off their second consecutive 100-loss season and fourth consecutive losing season.

That said, looking ahead to the 2023 season, for fans of the Pittsburgh Pirates it will be another season of looking at prospects and which ones could be in position to impact the big club. Fans will also be looking for prospects who could break out in 2023.

That is what brings us to this article. Today, we will take a look at two prospects who could break out for the Pittsburgh Pirates this season. Both of these payers could see their stock in the Pirate farm system rise substantially in 2023.

Pitcher Kyle Nicolas

Right-handed pitcher Kyle Nicolas is one of the three players that the Pittsburgh Pirates acquired from the Miami Marlins last offseason in exchange for catcher Jacob Stallings. There is some question if Nicolas will end up as a starting pitcher or a relief pitcher long-term, but 2023 will present him with the opportunity to answer this question.

In his first season in the Pirate organization Nicolas pitched for the Double-A Altoona Curve. Nicolas spent the entire 2022 season at Altoona, pitching 90.2 innings in 24 appearances, 22 of which were starts.

Nicolas posted a 3.97 ERA, 4.30 FIP, and allowed home runs at just a 0.89 HR/9 clip. While Nicolas had some issues with control walking batters at a 12.1% clip and hitting batters, he also generated a strong 25.9% strikeout rate.

Last season, Nicolas allowed 8 earned runs in his third start of the season. After this, he went on to pitch very well. Across his final 21 appearances, 19 starts, of the season Nicolas posted a 3.56 ERA and a 3.88 FIP while allowing home runs at a 0.56 HR/9 rate. During this strong stretch Nicolas limited opposing batters to a .203 batting average, while walking batters at a 12.4% rate and striking out 26.0% of batters faced.

The 23-year-old righty throws a power fastball with a plus slider. He also throws a curveball that has the potential to develop into a plus pitch. Nicolas also throws a changeup that he is continuing to work on and develop.

When the 2023 season begins Nicolas should once again be in the rotation for Double-A Altoona. However, if he ptiches well as prospects such as Quinn Priester, Luis Ortiz, and Mike Burrows graduate from Triple-A and join the Pittsburgh Pirates, Nicolas should be able to make his way into the rotation for Indianapolis. This could put Nicolas in line for his MLB debut at some point in 2023. Even if he does not reach the majors, Nicolas is still in position to put together a 2023 season that sees him break out as one of the organization's best pitching prospects.