This overlooked prospect seems poised for a Pirates spring training breakout

Everyone knows the big-name prospects that will be plying their trade for the Pittsburgh Pirates in spring training this year. From up-and-coming ace Bubba Chandler to trade acquisition Jhostynxon Garcia, the Buccos will feature an abundance of talent that figures to headline the organization for years to come.

Oh, and that Konnor Griffin guy will also be there. Word on the street is he's pretty good at this whole baseball thing.

But what about the less-heralded prospects — the ones who pack ample potential into a profile that also comes rife with red flags or lack development? Those players are often still a few years out from the majors, but the spring exhibition slate is their best chance to prove their big league bona fides to fans and the coaching staff alike.

Expect to see a few Pirates prospects make a name for themselves this spring, but none will break out as loudly as Wilber Dotel.

Stage is set for Wilber Dotel to emerge at Pirates spring training

Dotel, who was originally signed as a teenager out of the Dominican Republic back in 2020, revitalized his starting pitching hopes last year behind improved command and a new splitter that routinely got the better of Double-A hitters.

Covering 125 2/3 innings over 27 starts in Altoona, the 23-year-old right-hander logged a 4.15 ERA that under-performed his 3.89 FIP. His 24.5% strikeout rate was impressive, but the key to his success was a manageable 8.0% walk rate that significantly improved upon the numbers he's posted in the past.

If he can continue to limit free passes, Dotel should mitigate a lot of the reliever risk that has been associated with him since he signed with the Pirates. His newfound splitter and high-90s fastball would look tantalizing in the bullpen, but he also led all Pittsburgh farmhands with 131 strikeouts in 2025. He's got the potential to emerge as at least a mid-rotation starter in the big leagues.

Of course, Dotel isn't a finished product. Concerns about his ability to generate groundballs or limit home runs persist, and questions about his command won't cease until he can stack together multiple seasons of above-average walk rates.

However, his strong work last year earned him a 40-man roster spot (as means of protecting him from the Rule 5 Draft), and the expectation is that he'll open the regular season at Triple-A Indianapolis. With a strong performance in spring training, Dotel could accelerate his timeline for his MLB debut — perhaps enough to earn him a look at the first sign of trouble in the Pirates' rotation.