FanGraphs Ranks Pirates Top Farm System in Baseball

These days it's hard to take a lot of positives from the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. But no matter how hard it can be, there’s always something. In Fangraphs newest farm system rankings, the Pirates hold the top spot with five Top-100 prospects. Four of those prospects belong to the top thirty prospects: Paul Skenes (7), Endy Rodriguez (11), Henry Davis (25), and Termarr Johnson (28). Quinn Priester (81) rounds out the prospects in the Top-100. Prospects Liover Peguero (106), Mike Burrows (107), and Bubba Chandler (108) bounce in and out of Fangraphs Top-100 prospects as well. 

Paul Skenes was the number one overall pick in this year’s draft. He was college baseball's best pitcher, leading LSU to a national title. Pirates General Manager Ben Cherington expects Skenes to pitch this year in the minor leagues. Catcher Endy Rodriguez, who was acquired from the Mets, has been the Pirates most intriguing prospect – and has finally had his shot in the big leagues. Henry Davis is the other number one overall pick from 2021, and has spent some time in the big leagues too. His bat has been solid through his major league tenure; although his defense can still improve. 

Johnson probably has the best bat out of all these prospects. Although he is still in Bradenton, a promotion should be considered, as he has been hitting lights out. Quinn Priester is the most inconsistent out of the prospects, but his highs are very high. If he can find that consistency, he will be a solid rotation piece. Liover Peguero has been solid in the majors and can be a key contributor for a contending team. Mike Burrows and Bubba Chandler can also be solid rotation pieces for a contender.

The future is bright for the Pirates if everything goes right. With the young core hitting their primes with the prospects rising through the minor league system the Pirates will have enough talent to be a playoff contender. A lot of things must go right for the Pirates to be taken seriously, but no one can deny that they have young talent. Hopefully everything falls in line for the Pirates to make a World Series run soon.