This top Pirates prospect shows international signing hype can be misleading

The international signing period officially kicked off last week, and the Pirates made a couple of splashes. Among the Bucs' signings were outfielder Jeancer Custodio, the No. 7 international prospect on MLB Pipeline's board, and shortstop Wilton Guerrero Jr., who comes from one of the greatest bloodlines in the sport's history.

It's not always the big names with the large signing bonuses who pan out, though. It looks like the Pirates found a real steal a couple years ago with outfielder Edward Florentino.

After joining the Pirates as a lesser-known prospect and playing summer ball as a 17-year-old in 2024, Florentino burst onto the scene in 2025 and has established himself as one of the best hitting prospects in baseball. Splitting the season between the Florida Complex League and Low-A Bradenton, Florentino slashed .290/.400/.548 with 16 home runs and 35 stolen bases in just 83 games.

Florentino's combination of power and plate discipline is already rather advanced—he was one of only four teenagers across all levels of the minor leagues to post a walk rate of at least 14% and a slugging percentage north of .500 in 300 plate appearances. And he managed to do that while stealing 35 bases and playing a quality center field. He's already being hyped up as a candidate for MLB Pipeline Hitter of the Year for 2026.

Pirates' Edward Florentino is proof of why international scouting is important

The Pirates struck gold with Starling Marte and still got multiple years of production (albeit not at a star level) from Gregory Polanco, but have struggled tremendously in the international market ever since. A team like the Pirates, stuck in a small market with an owner who constantly cries poor, needs to be able to capitalize in areas like international scouting where the playing field is much more level.

While it's always exciting when the Pirates are able to sign a relative of a player like Vladimir Guerrero or Sammy Sosa, sometimes it's the under-the-radar names who go unnoticed who ultimately become stars. The Pirates are hoping Florentino, who is now the organization's top hitting prospect not named Konnor Griffin, will one day contribute to winning baseball in Pittsburgh.