Five Pirates prospects to watch in spring training

Photo Credit: Milb.com

With spring training now in full swing, there will be plenty of storylines to watch over the next few weeks. For the Pittsburgh Pirates, a lot of eyes will be on their top prospects who are in big league camp. That list includes Bubba Chandler, Konnor Griffin, Thomas Harrington, Hunter Barco, and Termarr Johnson, who will get to show why they are key to the Pirates' future.

1. Bubba Chandler, RHP

2024 Stats: 10-7, 3.08 ERA, 119.2 IP, 148 SO

Age: 22

Entering the 2025 season, Chandler is ranked as the top prospect in the organization. He is coming off a 2024 campaign in which he got his first taste of Triple-A, posting a 1.83 ERA in seven games. During that stretch, he held opponents to a .183 batting average. With little left to prove in the minors, Chandler will be pushing for a spot in a rotation that already includes Paul Skenes and Jared Jones. 

2. Konnor Griffin

2024 Stats: N/A

Age: 18

Photo Credit: MLB.com

With the ninth pick in last year's draft, the Pirates top one of the best prep hitters in Griffin. He has five-tool potential and controls the strike zone well. Due to his bat speed and strength, Griffin could be a 30 home run guy in the majors. While he may not be in big league camp for a long time, it represents the first chance for Pirates fans to see him in action since he was drafted. 

3. Thomas Harrington

2024 Stats: 7-3, 2.61 ERA, 117.1 IP, 115 SO

Age: 23

Photo Credit: Altoona Curve

Third on this list is a pitcher in Harrington, who enjoyed a breakout 2024 campaign. Last season, he shined while splitting time between three levels and held opponents to a .220 batting average. Since being drafted two years ago, the talented 23-year-old has been one of the organization's best pitching prospects, with a 3.09 ERA in 48 games. After finishing last season in Triple-A, he should make his way to majors at some point during the 2025 campaign.

4. Hunter Barco

2024 Stats: 4-2, 3.27 ERA, 66 IP, 83 SO

Age: 24

Photo Credit: Pittsburgh Pirates

While Barco’s 2024 season was cut short due to injury, he was impressive when healthy. He set a career-high in strikeouts with 83 and limited hard contact. The former Florida Gator also thrived at producing ground balls. In Bradenton, fans will get to see while there was some buzz around the talented lefty last season before he got hurt. If Barco stays healthy this year, its stock should continue rising. 

5. Termarr Johnson

2024 Stats: 124 G, .237 AVG, 15 HR, 19 2B, 54 RBI

Age: 20

Photo Credit: Norm Hall/MLB Photos via Getty Images

As the Pirates search for offense, they are hoping Johnson can turn into the star he was projected to be. When the Pirates used the fourth overall pick on him in the 2022 draft, Johnson was seen as one of the best high school hitters in his class. He has shown stretches of brilliance in the minors with 34 home runs but also struggled with consistency. A good spring training could help put Johnson in position to have a big year. He finished the 2024 campaign in Double-A only a few calls away from Pittsburgh.