Position: 1B
Height: 6’1”
Weight: 187 lbs
Bats/Throws: L/R
Born: 03/13/2005
Country: Mexico
How Acquired: International Free Agent, 2022
Bonus: N/A
40-man Roster: No
Rule 5 Eligible: 2026
Minor League Free Agency: 2028
Options Left: 3
Overview
Tirado’s path to the Pirates’ system was a little unusual. The team scouted him while he was playing in the independent Pioneer League. He’s a first baseman who projects to hit for power.
2021
In 2021, Tirado played first and mostly DH for Rocky Mountain in the Pioneer League. His batting line of 253/320/429 looks pretty good, but the league averaged 310/396/493, making Tirado a well below average hitter. He played the season at age 16, though, making him eight years younger than the average player.
2022-24
The Pirates signed Tirado in January 2022 and he played first regularly in the DSL that year. Given how he did against the much older competition in the Pioneer League, it’s maybe a little disappointing that he didn’t hit for more power — his line was 265/424/386, but he was still only 17.
A little surprisingly, the Pirates sent Tirado back to the DSL for 2023. His hitting wasn’t any better than the previous year; in fact, his K rate increased. They finally moved him up to the FCL in 2024. He played first semi-regularly, as the Pirates frequently used the position to get more plate appearances for their catchers. Tirado also spent time in right field. At the plate, he made contact reasonably well, but didn’t hit the ball with much authority, batting 187/299/307.
Stats
Transactions
January 15, 2022: Signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as an international free agent.