The Pittsburgh Pirates have more than just Paul Skenes when it comes to assembling a promising young core, which is largely composed of skilled pitchers.
The Pirates already feature a strong group of young players at the major-league level, but the spotlight shines brightest on one figure: starting pitcher Paul Skenes.
The tall right-hander was drafted from LSU a few years ago and has impressed from the start. He was quickly promoted through the Minor Leagues, and once he reached Pittsburgh, his success continued. In fact, he might have improved even more.
In 33 major league outings, Skenes has thrown nearly 200 innings, maintaining a 2.12 ERA and 0.94 WHIP. He averages over 10 strikeouts per nine innings while walking around two.
However, Skenes isn’t the only promising talent in the Pirates’ system. Despite the well-earned attention he receives, Pittsburgh’s pipeline is full of gifted players in the Minor Leagues.
Paul Skenes is just one part of the Pirates’ youth movement
Skenes is naturally the first name that comes up when discussing the Pirates’ future. Following him, fans often think of Jared Jones. Although Jones is currently sidelined with an elbow injury, he remains a significant part of the franchise’s long-term plans.
Another notable piece is Oneil Cruz. Since transitioning to the outfield, he’s made meaningful progress. So far this year, he’s slashing .223/.349/.432 and has recorded 16 stolen bases. His mix of speed and power ranks among the best in baseball.
The organization also features three strong pitching prospects in the Minors. Thomas Harrington made it to the majors this season, making one start and a bullpen appearance before returning to the minors. The righty has an impressive pitch selection and a bright future in the majors — and he’s not even the top name among the three.
Bubba Chandler stands out as the top prospect and is currently excelling in Triple-A. He’s pitched nearly 40 innings and holds a 2.17 ERA. With his talent, a big-league debut could be on the horizon.
Hunter Barco is another top-five prospect and the third pitcher in that group. At Double-A, he was outstanding, tossing 25.2 scoreless innings before moving up to Triple-A. If he keeps dominating, he may reach the majors later this season.
In summary, the Pirates have more than just Skenes. Their young core is steadily taking shape in Pittsburgh.
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