Pittsburgh Pirates: Prospects Who Could Force Themselves Into Long Term Plans

Charles McAdoo

Is it too early to consider Charles McAdoo as a guy who could force himself into the Pirates' long-term plans? Either way, the Pirates drafted McAdoo in the 13th round of this year's draft, where you're typically not seeing many guys who might already be penciled into the long term. However, McAdoo has done great since getting to the pro level and has shown talent throughout college.

Through his first 99 plate appearances of his pro career, McAdoo has slashed .310/.414/.536. He's already hit five home runs and has a .226 isolated slugging percentage. McAdoo has walked at a healthy 15.2% rate and has a respectable 19.2% strikeout rate. Between his elite OBP and plus power in his brief sample size, McAdoo owns a .439 wOBA and 156 wRC+ for the Bradenton Marauders.

McAdoo did great in his final year at San Jose State with a .325/.409/.543 slash. These are great numbers, but he also hit well in the Northwoods Summer League, which is a wood bat league. Sometimes, wood bat leagues can expose who's more advanced than others. Despite that, McAdoo hit .305/.363/.575 with ten homers in just 190 plate appearances.

The Pirates are splitting McAdoo's time at both second base and left field. While 2B is his primary position, he logged a handful of games as an outfielder, as well as a first baseman as an amateur. His defense isn't his best tool, and his arm is average at best, so a 2B/LF/1B role is likely his best shot.

McAdoo's hitting so far as a pro, in college and the Northwoods Summer League has been impressive. The Pirates have plenty of potential long-term second basemen, so much so it could become a clog at the position. But McAdoo's ability to move around will certainly help. McAdoo might force himself into long-term talks at first base if he continues to hit well in the upper minors, a level he could see in 2024.