The best Pirates prospect at each position going into 2025

Seconds Base: Termarr Johnson

The Pirates' consensus third-best prospect is their 2022 first-rounder, Termarr Johnson. He is the best second baseman in the organization's minor-league system, and has been getting national recognition by competing in the Futures Game, along with being a part of Team USA.

Last season was interesting for Johnson, as he took some steps forward, but struggled during some stretches, including his late-season promotion to Double-A Altoona. In just 14 games with the Curve, Johnson batted .229 with a wRC+ of 98 and an OPS of .712. His strikeout percentage was the lowest it's ever been at 19.6%, which is a great sign, but his walk percentage was also at the lowest of his career, which represents the opposite of progress.

In Greensboro, Johnson put together a solid season, putting up an OPS of .757 with 13 home runs and a wRC+ of 123. His batting average was just .238, while his on-base percentage reached .372, fueled by his outstanding walk rate of 16%.

Johnson has already accomplished a lot, but there is still so much room for him to grow. The 20-year-old second baseman is off to a pretty solid start to his professional career, and it will be exciting to see him potentially debut at the end of 2025 or 2026.

Third Base: Jack Brannigan

Jack Brannigan is the best third base prosepct in the Pirates organization, and is their 14th ranked overall prospect. He has long been known for his glove at the hot corner, with his 70 graded arm and 55 graded fielding, but in 2024, he started hitting for some power as well.

Last season, Brannigan slugged 18 home runs, 15 doubles, and two triples to generate a .490 slugging percentage. That went along with an on-base percentage of .344 to generate an impressive OPS of .834. On top of that, he produced a wRC+ of 135 and a strikeout percentage of 26.1%.

His numbers at the plate were a positive for him, but injuries kept him to just 77 games played in 2024. Defensively, he played both shortstop and third base, but performed his best at third, committing just two errors compared to his nine at shortstop.

Greensboro's park factors favor the offense, which could have led to Brannigan performing better, but he will be tested with Altoona in 2025. Overall, if he keeps the bat going, then he'll prove he has the tools to be a succesful major leaguer. Time will tell with Brannigan, but he is currently the Pirates' best third base prospect.