Pittsburgh Pirates Minor League Breakout Player of the Year: Carlson Reed
In his first full season, Reed jumped into the rotation and was among the leaders in strikeouts
With the minor league season completely over after Indianapolis wrapped up its schedule, we are going to hand out some awards for 2024. Today will be Breakout Player of the Year.
WTM, Nola, and I voted a top three for each hitter, pitcher, and breakout player of the year. After the winner, each WTM and Nola did a brief write-up on who they had as their top selection.
Last year’s ‘honor’ went to Braxton Ashcraft.
Winner: Carlson Reed
Drafted as a reliever in the fourth round during the 2023 draft, Carlson Reed moved to the rotation this year and emerged as another potential success story for the Pirates’ pitching development team.
He began the year in Bradenton and quickly showed that the only thing that could get the better of him was himself.
Walks plagued the early part of his season, but the talent continued to shine as the control got more under control.
He posted a 2.43 ERA with Bradenton while striking out 96 batters in 77.2 innings before being promoted to Greensboro.
When getting promoted to a new level, there are usually some sort of struggles, but he not only hit the ground running but seemingly improved.
Reed carried around the same strikeout rate at the more advanced level and even went a three-start stretch where he allowed two hits.
It was his first year as a full-time starter, even dating back to his time in college, and Reed finished behind only Bubba Chandler when it came to strikeouts among Pirates’ minor league pitchers.
Others receiving votes: Jhonny Severino, Hunter Barco, Omar Alfonzo, and Carlos Caro
WTM: Hunter Barco
This came down to a choice between Barco and Reed. There are some parallels; Barco was drafted in 2022 and Reed in 2023, but due to Barca’s 2022 Tommy John surgery, they didn’t get their careers going fully until 2024. Barco, for now, seems to have a firmer hold on a place high on prospect lists. He’s a lefty with a solid fastball, good enough secondary pitches to put up high K rates, and good command.Â
The Pirates brought him along cautiously, but he put up strong numbers at Greensboro, including a 1.10 WHIP, 3.2 BB/9, and 11.2 K/9, after getting in only 18 innings at lower levels. Barco earned a promotion to AA but got into only two games there and missed the last six weeks due to a minor knee issue. A 2025 major league debut isn’t out of the question.
NolaJeffy: Jhonny Severino
This was Severino’s first full season with the Pittsburgh Pirates
organization, and it went very well, with a lot of excitement for future
development. He mashed ten home runs with the Florida Complex League
affiliate, before being promoted after the complex season and hitting
another six longballs with the Bradenton Marauders. The strikeout and
walk rates both went in the wrong direction, but he has at least showcased
an impressive toolset to look forward to.
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Always love this one, breakout takes are fun.
Wilbur challenges me with Barco. He's just not visually appealing to me (Hunter, that is. I'm sure Wilbur is plenty appealing). Not really athletic, doesn't have a fast arm or stuff the blows you away. But damnit if he isn't getting results. Hard to argue against him being the biggest riser in the system, which sure would seem to be grounds for breakout status.
I guess I am taking things for granted when I start to look at Pitchers and think - oh and that will help us somehow? Reed 4th Round and Barco 2nd Round were well worth the picks. It's one of the things I think about when conversations about firing BC come up. The guy has had good luck in getting the picks, but his ability to build a pitching dynasty in very short order is the best in MLB. Hitting?
I really liked the things that Jhonny Severino did in his age 19 season in the FCL and A. I also like the way the Managers allowed him to get reps at SS and 2B even though he will more than likely be at 3B at PNC in 2 or 3 years, if he continues to hit. The IF I hope they allow in 2025 at A would have Valdez 20 or Plaz 19 at 1B, Caro 19 at 2B, YDLS 19 at SS, and Severino 19, at 3B with Plaz and Ramirez 19 at C. To be honest, that group could start at A+ and do well.