This overlooked prospect could fill a long-term need for the Pirates in 2025

The Pittsburgh Pirates’ bullpen does not have many long-term answers when it comes to lefty relievers. Joey Wentz is under control for two more seasons, and while he pitched well for the Pirates down the stretch during 2024, is far from a proven option. Caleb Ferguson, Tim Mayza, and Ryan Borucki are only controlled through this upcoming season as well. However, the Pirates do have one left-handed relief prospect that could soon make an impact in Jaden Woods.

Woods was drafted in the seventh round of the 2023 draft, taken 197th overall. Heading into the draft, Baseball America ranked him as the 152nd-best prospect. Woods got his first extended look in pro ball last season and pitched to a 3.75 ERA, 3.77 FIP, and 1.37 WHIP across 60 innings of work between Greensboro and Altoona. He punched out 27.8% of opponents with an 0.78 HR/9 rate, although he was prone to walks with a 10.5% BB%.

Woods throws in the mid-to-upper-90s with his four-seam fastball. In college, Woods clocked in around the lower-90s as a starter, but shorter outings have helped him gain a few ticks in velocity. He has made progress with his slider and gets plenty of swings-and-misses with the breaking pitch. Woods’ control is fringy with a 45 grade, but his 10.5% walk rate last season was manageable, if less than ideal.

Jaden Woods could prove to be a long-term bullpen arm for the Pirates in 2025.

The southpaw reliever has a decent chance of opening 2025 at Triple-A Indy. Woods posted nearly a 5.00 ERA at Double-A Altoona, but some of that could be chalked up to poor luck in a small sample size. His batting average on balls in play went from .295 at Greensboro to .337 at Altoona. His left on-base rate also fell dramatically from 86.1% to 66.9%. Despite large changes in these two numbers, he still maintained a 27% K%, 0.71 HR/9, and an 10.7% walk rate, all three of which were nearly identical to his peripherals at Greensboro.

Either way, the Pirates can fast-track him to MLB as a reliever, unlike some of their starting pitching prospects, who need more time to develop and be stretched out. The Pirates are definitely taking a risk with their current lefty relief options. None of Wentz, Ferguson, Borucki, nor Mayza put up an ERA+ of 100 or greater across 2024, which could open up an opportunity for Woods in 2025.

Although some of those lefties aren’t far removed from solid campaigns in 2023, and all have the potential to rebound this season, Woods could be an immediate option if someone struggles. He’s shown some potential in the upper levels of the minor leagues, and should be involved in the Bucs’ bullpen picture sometime during 2025.