Rum Bunter's top 10 Pittsburgh Pirates prospects: Where does Konnor Griffin debut?

Number Nine: Levi Sterling

Our next prospect is a new arrival from the 2024 draft class, and one of many top pitching prospects in the Pirates' system: Levi Sterling. The Pirates selected Sterling 37th overall out of Notre Dame High School. He signed a deal worth just over $2.5 million to forgo his commitment to Texas. A projectable right-hander, Sterling adds yet another talented arm to a system that is loaded with pitching.

Sterling is sitting around 90-92 MPH (tops 94) with his fastball at just 17 years old. He won't turn 18 until early September. Sterling throws a pair of breaking pitches. His curveball is the better pitch, a mid-70 pitch he puts a ton of spin on. In contrast, he throws a low-spin changeup around the low 80s. His second breaking pitch is a low-80s sweeping slider, giving him four pitches with average or better potential.

Sterling has a lot of attributes that gives him a potentially bright future. One is that he commands his stuff well. The second is that he throws from a low three-quarters arm angle. He can also keep up the same arm speed. Sterling has a projectable frame as well. He stands at 6'5", 202 pounds. 

Given that, Sterling will be an interesting player to watch once he hits the pro scene. He may not pitch this year, but you should look forward to seeing what he does at the Florida Complex League or Dominican Summer League next season.