The Pittsburgh Pirates have been bad for a while now.
The last time they made the postseason was in the peak Andrew McCutchen days: from 2013 to 2015, they went every year.
After that?
Never again.
For a brief period in 2023, they looked like they might break out but time proved they still aren’t ready.
Right now, they occupy the basement in the NL Central with a 54-67 record.
However, their time is coming.
They are improving on the strength of a really good farm system, the second-best in baseball according to MLB Pipeline.
The future is looking bright for these clubs. 😎 pic.twitter.com/tVjlWxJbvo
— MLB (@MLB) August 17, 2023
Only the Baltimore Orioles have a better farm than the Bucs, and they deserve some credit even when we consider they pick in the top five every year.
Catcher/outfielder Henry Davis has already graduated, but Endy Rodriguez, Quinn Priester, Nick Gonzales, and Liover Peguero made their debuts this year and are still prospect-eligible.
The best prospect in the organization, however, is pitcher Paul Skenes.
He was taken first overall in the 2023 MLB Draft and projects as an ace sometime in the next two or three seasons.
Termarr Johnson is a high-ceiling infielder who should have a similar timeline, and Jared Jones could contribute as soon as next year.
There are lots of high-ceiling players in Pittsburgh, and if they play their cards right, they could be one of the NL Central powerhouses four or five years from now.
Hopefully, they play their cards right and don’t trade their best and most expensive players like they have done time and time again prior to this season.
Extending Bryan Reynolds was a nice step in the right direction.
Pirates fans are allowed to dream about the future.
NEXT: Pirates Top Prospect Shows Off His Velocity In Professional Debut
