Pittsburgh Pirates

Hitting: 60. Power: 30. Running: 70. Fielding: 55. Arm: 40.

TRACK RECORD: Bae originally signed with the Braves but was declared a free agent after MLB ruled the Braves violated international signing rules. The Pirates signed him in early 2018 for $1.25 million. Bae was convicted of assaulting his girlfriend in South Korea and served a 30-game suspension during the 2019 season. He returned to low Class A Greensboro in late May and won the South Atlantic League batting title with a .323 average. The Pirates brought him to their alternate training site in 2020.

SCOUTING REPORT: Bae projects as a prototypical top-of-the-order shortstop with a contact bat and plus speed. He makes some of the best contact in the system and uses his speed to beat out infield singles and take extra bases when he drives the ball into the gaps. Bae lacks home run power with his slight build, so his slugging contributions will come from doubles and triples. Bae has the range to be an above-average defender at shortstop, but his lack of arm strength raises questions about his ability to stick at the position. His assault conviction raises obvious concerns about his makeup.

THE FUTURE: Bae has a chance to develop into a table-setter at the top of the order or a No. 8 hitter who provides value with his speed and defense. He may see Double-A in 2021.

Fastball: 60. Slider: 55. Changeup: 40. Cutter: 55. Control: 55.

TRACK RECORD: Mlodzinski was one of the 2020 draft’s biggest question marks due to a lack of track record. He suffered a broken foot that limited him to three starts in 2019, made six starts in the Cape Cod League the following summer and had just four outings before the coronavirus pandemic shut down the 2020 college season. His stuff was undeniable, though, and the Pirates drafted him 31st overall and signed him for $2.05 million to turn pro as a redshirt sophomore.

SCOUTING REPORT: Mlodzinski throws a heavy sinking fastball that sits 92-94 mph and has reached 98. He throws a slider and a cutter that have flashed plus potential, especially during an impressive performance in the Cape. Both pitches were less sharp in the spring, however, with the slider lacking depth and tilt, and his cutter sitting at a reduced 89-91 mph. Mlodzinski has a fringe-average curveball and a below-average changeup that each need to be improved. He throws strikes and generates a lot of ground balls with his fastball, but he’s still trying to find a consistent swing-and-miss pitch.

THE FUTURE: Mlodzinski is capable of being a groundball-oriented starter at the back of a rotation. He needs to find a consistent second pitch.

TRACK RECORD: Though the Yankees were in the international penalty box in 2016, they still unearthed several gems in Jose Devers (since traded to Miami), Oswald Peraza and Contreras, who was a product of the same training program in the Dominican Republic that produced Gary Sanchez and Miguel Andujar. Contreras was part of a talented group of pitchers at low Class A Charleston in 2019 but was not brought to the Yankees alternate training site in 2020. The Pirates acquired him as one of four players for Jameson Taillon after the season.

SCOUTING REPORT: Contreras showed a small uptick in his velocity and averaged 95 mph on his fastball in spring training before camps shut down. The development of his breaking ball will be key. It's been more of an inconsistent slurve in the past, but he worked to make it more of a firm slider during limited time in 2020. His well-regarded changeup features both horizontal and vertical movement and is thrown with enough confidence to be effective against both righties and lefties. He's shown above-average control at every stop in the minors so far.

THE FUTURE: Contreras worked remotely with Yankees pitching coach Dustin Glant during the shutdown and should be in decent pitching shape despite the lost year of development. He has back-of-the-rotation potential if his breaking ball comes along.

TRACK RECORD: The Pirates drafted Swaggerty 10th overall in 2018 and gave him a $4.4 million bonus based on the power-speed combination he showed at South Alabama. Swaggerty's speed has translated to pro ball, but his power has not. Swaggerty hit a combined .257/.339/.381 in his first two seasons, topping out at high Class A. The Pirates brought him to their alternate training site in 2020.

SCOUTING REPORT: Swaggerty has the potential for average or better tools across the board, but he simply doesn't make enough contact. He tends to sell out for power, leading to a lot of swings and misses and a decline in his overall offensive game. Swaggerty worked to clean up his hitting mechanics, but the lost 2020 minor league season didn't give him a chance to show off the results of his work. He draws plenty of walks, which allows his plus speed to play on the bases. Swaggerty's defense is ahead of his offense. He's a plus defender with the range and above-average arm strength to be the Pirates' center fielder of the future.

THE FUTURE: Swaggerty has to start making more contact. If he can, he has the tools to be an everyday outfielder.

TRACK RECORD: Jones was a well-known draft prospect after playing for USA Baseball's Junior National Team three times as a two-way player. The Pirates drafted him 44th overall as a pitcher in 2020 and gave him an above-slot $2.2 million bonus to pry him from a Texas commitment. Jones' father Keith played two seasons in the minors. Cousins Randy and Ron Flores both pitched in the majors.

SCOUTING REPORT: Jones is undersized but already owns a lively 96-99 mph fastball thanks to his electric arm speed. He pairs it with a sharp, above-average, mid-80s slider, and he is developing a changeup. The Pirates have worked with Jones on adjusting his effortful delivery to improve both his command and control. He showed power potential and above-average speed as a high school outfielder, but he was a bit of a free-swinger and the Pirates typically stick to developing players on one side of the game.

THE FUTURE: Some evaluators peg Jones as a bullpen candidate because of his size and effortful delivery. The Pirates will give him every chance to develop his changeup and remain on a starter track.

TRACK RECORD: A sixth-round pick out of Akron in 2015, Brubaker slowly climbed the minors and appeared on the cusp of the majors in 2019, but a forearm strain followed by right elbow irritation limited him to six starts. He returned healthy in 2020 and made the Pirates' Opening Day roster, beginning the year in the bullpen before moving into the rotation. In his nine starts, Brubaker recorded a 5.53 ERA with 41 strikeouts and 16 walks in 42.1 innings.

SCOUTING REPORT: Brubaker's fastball sits 93-94 mph with plenty of horizontal movement and generates a lot of ground balls. Both his upper-80s slider and low-80s curveball are swing-and-miss offerings that played against major leaguers. His curveball is a slurvy pitch that grades at least average, while his short slider flashes plus when paired with his hard sinker. Brubaker also flashes an average changeup and at least average control. He has a tall, muscular frame that can handle a starter's workload, though his recent arm injuries are reason for pause.

THE FUTURE: The Pirates will give Brubaker a shot to win a rotation spot out of spring training in 2021. He should settle in as a back-of-the-rotation starter.

TRACK RECORD: Garcia was one of the biggest risers on the West Coast in the 2020 draft, with many Southern California area scouts writing him in as the top pitching prospect in the area. Garcia played third base as a freshman at Division III Chapman in Orange, Calif., but converted to pitching as a sophomore and was named Most Outstanding Player of the D-III College World Series. As a junior, Garcia moved into a starting role and saw his draft stock take off, eventually signing for $1.2 million in the third round.

SCOUTING REPORT: While Garcia is new to pitching, he possesses starter traits, with a strong 6-foot-4, 215-pound frame and an easy and smooth delivery that allowed him to pound the strike zone with a three-pitch mix in college. His fastball typically sat in the 92-95 mph range, but he could run it up to 98 at his best. Garcia also mixed in a pair of potentially above-average secondary offerings with an upper-80s slider and a cutter in the same velocity range. Garcia has also thrown a curveball and a changeup, though both pitches were used infrequently and will need further refinement to profile as consistently average offerings.

THE FUTURE: Garcia comes with plenty of risk as a D-III arm who has yet to be tested consistently against high-quality hitters, but given his surprising polish and pitch-mix has plenty of upside as well.

TRACK RECORD: Soriano weighed 170 pounds when he signed with the Angels for $70,000 in 2016. He grew to a muscular 210 pounds by the time of his breakout season at low Class A Burlington in 2019. He entered 2020 looking to build on that momentum but suffered an elbow injury and had season-ending Tommy John surgery just before the start of spring training. The Pirates drafted Soriano with the No. 1 pick in the major league phase of the 2020 Rule 5 draft.

SCOUTING REPORT: Soriano has an ideal pitcher's body at 6-foot-3, 210 pounds. He is athletic with long, loose limbs and a smooth, rhythmic delivery that is easy to repeat. After previously sitting in the low 90s, Soriano's fastball averaged 96 mph and touched 100 in 2019 as he grew into his newfound strength. He has an advanced feel for a high-spin, low-80s curveball with 11-to-5 shape and solid depth. His upper-80s changeup shows swing-and-miss potential but is too firm at times. Soriano has struggled with walks, but he has improved his control as he's grown into his body and sharpened the timing and mechanics of his delivery.

THE FUTURE: Soriano is set to return during the 2021 season. If his stuff and control comes back, he has a chance to develop into a hard-throwing starting pitcher. The rebuilding Pirates should have the roster space and patience to carry Soriano all season to satisfy the Rule 5 requirements.

Fastball: 60. Slider: 55. Changeup: 50. Control: 50.
TRACK RECORD: Yean was a projectable 180-pound righthander when he signed with the Nationals for $100,000 in 2017. He’s grown quite a bit since then, bulking up to 230 pounds with a muscular, linebacker-like build. He made his U.S. debut in 2019 and reached short-season Auburn, but he did not get to pitch in 2020 with the cancellation of the minor league season. He picked up where he left off with an impressive turn at instructional league. The Pirates acquired him in December as the top prospect in the trade that sent Josh Bell to Washington.

SCOUTING REPORT: Yean is a big, powerful pitcher who is aggressive and still growing. He has an explosive fastball that sits in the mid 90s and touches 97 mph with late life. He throws both a four-seam fastball and a two-seamer to keep batters guessing which one they’ll see. Yean’s slider is a little slurvy at this point but gets swings and misses and shows above-average potential, especially if he is able to firm it up. His changeup is improving as well and could be an average pitch in time. Yean has a clean, three-quarters arm slot and a feel for making adjustments.

THE FUTURE: Yean is still learning the details of pitching rather than throwing, but there are reasons to be bullish on his upside. He should be ready for a full-season assignment at age 19 in 2021.

Fastball: 50. Slider: 50. Changeup: 55. Curveball: 50. Control: 50
TRACK RECORD: Crowe had Tommy John surgery as a South Carolina freshman but rebounded to become the Gamecocks’ ace by his junior year. The Nationals drafted him in the second round in 2017 and he won high Class A Carolina League pitcher of the year award in his first full season in 2018, when he went 11-0, 2.69 in 87 innings. Crowe jumped to Triple-A in 2019 and made his major league debut in 2020, although he tested positive for COVID-19 over the summer and got hit hard in his first three major league starts.

SCOUTING REPORT: Crowe didn’t trust his stuff in his first major league outings, but he has a future as a No. 5 starter or long relief option. Crowe’s fastball sits at 91-93 mph and touches 95. He can spin an average slider and curveball and shows the makings of a changeup with above-average potential. None of Crowe's offerings are plus, but he’s a tough competitor who has better command than he showed in his major league debut. He fell into too many deep counts and nibbled too much in his first taste of major league play, an issue that should be corrected with experience.

THE FUTURE: Crowe should get another shot at the majors as a member of the Pirates rotation in 2021. If he doesn't stick in the rotation, he could serve as a long reliever or spot starter.

TRACK RECORD: The Pirates drafted Martin in the 17th round in 2017 based on his prodigious power potential and signed him for an over-slot $350,000 bonus, equivalent to fifthround money. Martin delivered on that promise by hitting 35 home runs across the Class A levels in 2019, winning the organization's minor league player of the year award. The Pirates brought him to their alternate training site in 2020.

SCOUTING REPORT: Martin has plus raw power and can drive the ball out to all fields, including towering home runs to his pull side. The downside to Martin's power is it comes with plenty of strikeouts, raising questions about how much he'll get to it against upper-level pitchers. Martin worked with Triple-A hitting coach Jon Nunnally on developing a better eye at the plate at the alternate site. They focused on setting the top of his zone and recognizing breaking pitches earlier, which will hopefully reduce his strikeouts. Defensively, Martin has improved his fringe-average glove to the point where he's not considered a liability at first base, but his value is mostly derived from his power.

THE FUTURE: Martin is expected to open the year at Double-A. If he shows a more discerning eye, he could jump on to the fast track to the majors.

TRACK RECORD: The Pirates made Ashcraft their second-round pick in 2018 and signed him for $1.825 million to forgo his commitment to Baylor. He was a two-sport star in high school, also excelling at wide receiver, and had surgery on his non-throwing shoulder after the 2019 season to clean up an old football injury. He returned to the field for instructional league in 2020 and looked noticeably better, with his fastball ticking up 2-3 mph and much more polish all-around.

SCOUTING REPORT: Ashcraft has the classic projectable pitcher's frame with room to continue filling out. His improved fastball now ranges from 93-96 mph and sits 94. The pitch generates a high volume of ground balls with its natural sink. Ashcraft has improved his changeup to a pitch that can at least be an average offering. He also improved his slider to get a sharper break on the pitch and it now flashes above-average. Ashcraft has solid control and the Pirates believe his surgery will help iron out some of the command issues he's had so far.

THE FUTURE: Ashcraft should start at one of the Class A levels in 2021. He projects as a back-of-therotation starter but could be more if he continues to fill out and add velocity.

TRACK RECORD: The Padres purchased Cruz’s rights from the Mexican League’s Mexico City franchise for $100,000 in 2017, the same club they purchased Luis Urias and Andres Muñoz from in previous years. Cruz dominated the short-season levels and jumped for high Class A Fort Wayne in 2019, where he posted a 2.76 ERA in 10 starts. He continued to shine during 2020 instructional league and was acquired by the Pirates after the season as part of the Joe Musgrove trade.

SCOUTING REPORT: Cruz’s fastball has improved to 89-93 mph with room to keep growing. His fastball plays up with carry through the zone and gets swings and misses despite modest velocity. Cruz’s primary weapon is a big, overhand curveball with a high arc. It can get loopy at times at 73-77 mph, but he shows an impressive feel to spin the ball and should add power to it as he gets stronger. His fading 78-82 mph changeup shows average potential and he attacks the strike zone with average control.

THE FUTURE: Cruz shows the makings of the back-of-the-rotation starter if he can continue adding velocity. He’s a strong competitor who has a chance to move quickly in 2021.

TRACK RECORD: The Pirates took Burrows in the 11th round in 2018 and gave him an above-slot $500,000 bonus--fourth-round money--to forgo a commitment to Connecticut. He quickly showed more polish than a typical high school pitcher and spent his first full season as a starter in the college-heavy New York-Penn League. The Pirates brought him to instructional league in 2020 after the coronavirus pandemic canceled the minor league season.

SCOUTING REPORT: Burrows' mid-90s fastball touches as high as 96 mph with good sinking movement. His curveball has some late break, grading as above-average with the chance to be an out pitch in the future. Burrows' solid frame suggests he's capable of compiling innings in the rotation. His fringe-average changeup will need improvement and he walked 4.1 batters per nine innings in 2019, but his control has average upside. He has rapidly shown improvements in his velocity and breaking stuff and has room to make further gains.

THE FUTURE: Burrows has the potential to be a back-of-the-rotation starter or a multi-inning reliever working off his fastball/curveball combination. He is set to begin 2021 at one of the Class A levels.

TRACK RECORD: Mitchell has shown tantalizing offensive upside since the Pirates took him in the second round in 2017. He's shown a smooth stroke and an increased ability to hit for power, capped by 15 homers in the pitcher-friendly Florida State League in 2019, but also far too many swings and misses. He spent 2020 at instructional league working to fix that.

SCOUTING REPORT: Known mainly as a contact hitter when he was drafted, Mitchell's profile has changed as he's matured. His driving tool is now the plus raw power in his lefthanded bat. He's shown an ability to hit to all fields and also displays a patient approach at the plate. At the same time, Mitchell chases the power far too often and gets into trouble when he tries to pull the ball. He is going to have to make more contact because he doesn't offer much defensively. Mitchell is slated for left field as a belowaverage runner and fringe-average defender with an arm that grades as average at best.

THE FUTURE: Mitchell should start 2021 in Double-A. If he can figure things out at the plate, the Pirates don't have many prospects blocking his path to PNC Park.

TRACK RECORD: Oliva has exceeded expectations at every stop since he walked on at Arizona and quickly became a starter. The Pirates made him a seventh-round pick in 2017 and he moved quickly through the system. Oliva made his major league debut in 2020, appearing in six games.

SCOUTING REPORT: Oliva is a streaky hitter, but he makes enough contact to hit for average. He mostly deploys a line-drive approach and has just fringe-average power potential. Oliva's greatest strength is his plus-plus speed, which makes him both a basestealing threat and an above-average defender in center field with plenty of range. He has average arm strength and can play the corners as needed.

THE FUTURE: Oliva is ready now to be a reserve outfielder in the majors with his speed and defensive acumen. He'll need to continue making gains with the bat to become more.

TRACK RECORD: Smith showed well in his first taste of pro ball after the Yankees drafted him in the fourth round in 2017, then scuffled in 2018 in the college-heavy New York-Penn League. He rebounded in 2019 at low Class A Charleston, where he became one of just 15 players in the minors with 30 or more doubles, 10 or more home runs and 15 or more stolen bases. He did not get a chance to play in 2020, but the Pirates still acquired him as one of four players for Jameson Taillon after the season.

SCOUTING REPORT: Smith's greatest asset is he simply hits the ball hard. He averaged an 89.4 mph exit velocity in 2019 and has peaked at 110. He shows strong pitch-recognition skills, handles velocity well and posted an excellent swinging-strike rate of just 9.7%. Despite the success, scouts have mild concerns Smith will be exploited by upper-level pitchers who do better jobs changing speeds and throwing offspeed pitches for strikes. Smith shows average athleticism, a fringy arm and below-average defense in left field. He’s an average runner who steals bases on instincts rather than pure speed.

THE FUTURE: Because the Yankees did not hold instructional league, Smith missed a full season of development. Now that he's with the Pirates, his defense will come under even more scrutiny unless the National League permanently adopts the designated hitter.

TRACK RECORD: Cederlind's fastball sat in the mid 90s as a starter when the Pirates drafted him out of junior college in the fifth round in 2016. His velocity ticked up significantly after a move to the bullpen and sent him soaring up the system. The Pirates called him up for his major league debut in 2020, and he made five appearances in relief.

SCOUTING REPORT: Cederlind made the most of his time in Pittsburgh, flashing a fastball that averaged 98 mph and touched 101. He pairs his explosive heater with a 90 mph cutter that is a plus, swing-andmiss pitch that played well in his major league debut. Cederlind's fringe-average control is still a concern, despite showing marginal improvement after moving to the bullpen. His stuff is so lively that he's able to get swings and misses even when he misses his spot.

THE FUTURE: Cederlind has a late-inning mentality and the stuff to match. He should be back in the Pirates bullpen for at least part of the 2021 season.

TRACK RECORD: The shortened 2020 season was something of a breakout for Castro, who originally signed for $150,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2015 and had yet to advance past high Class A. He showed a more mature, refined skill set at the Pirates' alternate training site, impressing the club enough that they added him to their 40-man roster after the season

SCOUTING REPORT: Castro is very toolsy but has been very raw to this point, with swing-and-miss concerns at the plate and defensive inconsistencies in the infield. He improved his defensive work in 2020, and the Pirates believe he can play second base, shortstop and third base in the majors. He's a switch-hitter with above-average or better raw power from each side. He has above-average speed, giving him plenty of range in the field and allowing him to steal bases. The biggest downside to his game has been his strikeout tendencies and general lack of contact skills.

THE FUTURE: Castro is unlikely to hit for average but can contribute with his power and defensive versatility. He will likely open 2021 back in the minors.

TRACK RECORD: Kranick fell to the 11th round in 2016 because of signability concerns stemming from his commitment to Virginia. The Pirates stopped his slide and convinced him to sign for an over-slot $300,000 bonus. Kranick kick-started his development with solid seasons at low Class A in 2018 and high Class A in 2019. The Pirates brought him to the alternate training site in 2020 and added him to the 40-man roster after the season.

SCOUTING REPORT: Kranick dealt with shoulder fatigue and tightness early in his career, so he turned to former major league reliever Vic Black to help with weighted ball drills to increase strength. He also shortened his arm path and gained velocity throughout the process. Kranick's fastball sat 93-94 mph and touched 98 at the Pirates' alternate training site. He ditched his two-seam fastball entirely, instead focusing on his four-seamer and curveball combination. His four-seamer features more movement up in the zone and he worked with former big league closer Joel Hanrahan on tunneling the curveball to look like the fastball out of the hand. Kranick also has an average slider and below-average changeup. He throws strikes with above-average control.

THE FUTURE: Kranick should start in Double-A in 2021. His newfound velocity and arm strength give him a good chance to reach the majors.