Pirates State of the System 2023: Outfielders

Lower levels has some intriguing names.

Photo Credit: WTM

‘State of the system’ is a four part series taking a look at the Pirates farm system to see where the general strengths and weaknesses are of each positional group - catchers, infielders, outfielders and pitchers. 

Depending on what the Pittsburgh Pirates decide to do with Henry Davis, there is a chance that their starting outfield is set up for the foreseeable future at the major league level.

Worst case it likely has two-thirds of the regular outfield they are going to deploy, with Bryan Reynolds locked up and Jack Suwinski under control for the next couple of seasons.

Which is actually a good thing, because at least when it comes to the upper levels, the Pirates have some sorting out to do without a clear cut answer as any potential big league contributors.

Canaan Smith-Njigba had a strong season with Triple-A Indianapolis, but didn’t do much with his limited time in the majors. His defense and glowing exit velocity numbers (and spot on the 40 man roster), should keep him in the picture for now.

Maybe one of the more intriguing skillsets still in the system is Matt Gorski, who just completed his second straight 20/20 season, but yet still leaving a feel of wanting more of those who watch him.

He missed more time with an injury, still struggles with strikeouts and will be 26 by time the 2024 season starts. But the raw power may be the best in the system, and he has the arm/range in center field to play in the majors right now.

Most of the rest in the upper levels, even down to Greensboro, are filled with players that have kind of plateaued where they are at. Matt Fraizer was the Player of the Year in 2021 but has spent the last two and a half years in Altoona. Lolo Sanchez and Connor Scott also are more depth options than anything.

Greensboro has their own version of that, with Hudson Head and Sammy Siani. In his first full professional season, Tres Gonzalez showed a strong hit tool, but there will always be questions about his power and how far that can take him.

Jase Bowen put up perhaps the best statistical season in the minors of any Pirates prospect, with 23 home runs, 26 stolen bases and 95 RBI. He’s been a slow burner through the system, spending more than a season a piece in Bradenton and Greensboro, but finished the year in Altoona.

Things got a little more interesting in Bradenton, where they had several more names that are worthy of watching over the next couple of years.

Rodolfo Nolasco has some of the best raw power in the system, but has struggled to stay healthy and make consistent contact. Enmaneul Terrero didn’t put up the best exit velocity numbers but made solid contact.

Shalin Polanco and Lonnie White might have the highest upside in the system when it comes to the outfield, but they have plenty of ways to go. Polanco missed about half the season with an injury, but on the field he showed some power potential and strong defensive play, albeit with some swing and miss.

Going a little further down the system, Eddy Rodriguez and Esmerlyn Valdez are two players that spent the majority of the year in the FCL, and could make some noise in Bradenton in 2024.

Newcomer Estuar Suero is another young, toolsy outfielder that just turned 18 and has pulled Kevin Alcantara comps.

Outfield

Strengths - Sheer amount of low level options with some interesting skillsets.

Weaknesses - Upper level outfielders with the hit tool to translate to the majors.

Best prospect - Lonnie White Jr. There is some swing and miss in his game, so that will need to be monitored closely as he moves up, but the rest of the tools are there. He’s a centerfielder with speed, and has picked up multiple outfield assist thanks to his arm.

He’s a 20/20 threat if he stays healthy for an entire season.