The best Pirates prospect at each position going into 2025

Shortstop: Konnor Griffin

Although he has yet to make an appearance in a professional baseball game, the Pirates' best shortstop in their minor-league system is undoubtedly Konnor Griffin. He was taken in the first round of the 2024 MLB Draft and finished the season by training in the Florida Complex League.

Griffin brings a strong group of scouting grades to the Pirates. His power was graded at a 60 upon entering the professional ranks, along with a 50-grade hit tool. He displayed those in his senior year by hitting nine home runs, 13 doubles, and four triples. Additionally, his batting average was up to .559 to go with his OPS of 1.656.

His run tool was graded at a 65, and he displayed all of that speed and acumen by stealing 85 bases. His defensive grades (a 70-grade arm and a 60 overall mark for his fielding) prove he can play both sides of the ball. He turned 12 double plays and committed just five errors in his senior year.

Griffin is the second-ranked prospect in the Pirates organization for a reason. He is very talented and will make a huge impact in 2025 when he gets to make his professional debut.

Left Field: Lonnie White Jr.

Lonnie White Jr. is an interesting prospect, as he was once a Penn State football and baseball commit. He is an outstanding athlete, but injuries have stunted his development this far. He played the most games in a season out of any in his career in 2024, but also produced the worst results.

Last year, White put up an OPS of .614 with 14 home runs and a wRC+ of 80. He batted just .167 and struck out at a 34.4% rate. This was a very disappointing season, but what he is capable of is why there is optimism that he will turn it around in 2025.

With Bradenton in 2023, White put together a wRC+ of 140, backed behind eight home runs and an OPS of .883. His on-base percentage reached .395, and his slugging percentage got up to .488. Quite an impressive season, but his fall off from that peak was not what Pirate fans had hoped for.

Nonetheless, White is still the best left field prospect in the Pirates organization. At 21 years old, he has a shot to turn around a poor season. It is not time to give up on one of the best athletes in the organization.