Pirates Farm System Drops in Rankings: A Look at the Decline and What It Means for the Future
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ farm system has taken a significant dip in the latest rankings, according to industry sources, signaling challenges ahead for the organization’s future development. After years of steady improvements and top-tier prospects emerging from their minor league ranks, the Pirates are now seeing a decrease in overall prospect quality, raising concerns about the club’s long-term outlook.
As of February 2025, several respected publications and scouting services, including MLB Pipeline and Baseball America, have reported a notable drop in the Pirates’ farm system, which has slid out of the top 10 and is now hovering around 15th overall. This marks a sharp decline from previous years, where the system was considered among the top 5 in baseball.
While the Pirates have still produced top prospects like shortstop Oneil Cruz and pitcher Quinn Priester, the overall talent pool has weakened. The drop is attributed to a combination of factors, including poor draft results, an influx of top prospects graduating to the majors, and a lack of impactful international signings in recent seasons.
One of the primary reasons for the slip is the failure to capitalize on the 2022 and 2023 draft classes, where the Pirates were expected to stockpile top-tier talent. Despite some intriguing names, several high-ceiling prospects have failed to develop as expected, and injuries have plagued key players such as outfielder Jase Bowen and pitcher Luis Ortiz.
The Pirates’ struggles have also been compounded by an inability to find sustained success in international scouting. As teams like the Atlanta Braves and St. Louis Cardinals continue to build their systems with high-impact international talent, the Pirates have seen a decline in their ability to tap into this crucial ma
The drop in the farm system rankings raises questions about the future of the Pirates at the Major League level. While the team has a few cornerstone players, such as Cruz and Bryan Reynolds, the lack of high-level prospects in the minors means the organization may struggle to build the kind of deep roster required to compete consistently in the National League Central.
For general manager Ben Cherington, the focus now shifts to reshaping the farm system. The Pirates will likely need to make bold moves in the coming seasons to bolster their prospect depth, whether through smart trades, improving scouting infrastructure, or focusing on player development at the lower levels.
The Pirates have a few bright spots left in their system, with prospects like Henry Davis and Termarr Johnson showing promise. However, the club will need to rely on its player development department to turn these pieces into impactful Major League contributors. Rebuilding the farm system will be key to the Pirates’ long-term success, and the organization has no choice but to address this recent decline head-on.
As the 2025 season approaches, Pittsburgh’s front office will be closely watched for any moves that could signal a shift back toward a competitive farm system. Without a robust pipeline of talent, the Pirates may find themselves stuck in their current cycle of mediocrity. For now, the team remains hopeful that the future holds brighter days, but the drop in rankings has raised more than a few question
s about the road ahead.