Five Notable Pirates Sleeper Prospects
My latest Journey to the 412 article takes a look at five Pittsburgh Pirates prospects, who have flown under the radar, and don’t receive as much recognition, as compared to higher profile prospects in the system.
Axiel Plaz
Signed by the Pirates out of San Felix, Venezuela, in January of 2022, Axiel Plaz is one of the more interesting catching prospects.
2024 was Plaz’s first full season of pro ball with Low A Bradenton. He slashed .207/.302/.438, but displayed some good pop in the bat; hitting 15 homers.
Plaz returned to the Marauders to begin this season. The numbers have much better, for the 19-year-old, as he’s batting .288, along with an .845 OPS, in 167 plate appearances. Plaz has hit seven home runs - all of which have come in the month of May. The most encouraging development from Plaz is a substantial drop in strikeouts; going from a 29.2% K rate last season down to 16.8% this year.
Defensively, Plaz still has plenty to work on, but it’s way too early to write him off as a catcher long-term. He also plays first base, which could be his future, if he doesn’t improve enough behind the plate.
Edward Florentino
p/c: WTM
In January of 2024, the Pirates signed Edward Florentino to a six-figure bonus of $395,000.
A native of Los Alcarrizos, in the Dominican Republic, Florentino debuted for the DSL Pirates last year. He showed a patient approach at the plate, drawing more walks (38) than strikeouts (36), which helped him reach an impressive, on base of .432.
This season, Florentino made his Stateside debut in the Florida Complex League. He’s held his own so far, putting up a slash line of .273/.385/.509, in 65 plate appearances.
Currently ranked the 23rd best Pirates prospect by MLB Pipeline, Florentino can play all three outfield spots, as well as first base, but even if he fills out of his 6’4, 200 pound frame, the Pirates believe he can stick in center field.
Reinold Navarro
p/c: WTM
Similar to Edward Florentino, Reinold Navarro inked a deal with the Pirates during the 2024 international signing period out of Santo Domingo, in the DR.
Navarro pitched in the DSL a year ago, where he put up a 3.38 ERA over 24 innings.
Through his first four games this season, with the FCL Pirates, Navarro has an ERA of 2.08.
The 18-year-old lefty already throws a fastball that sits about 95 mph, and get into the upper-90’s. He also uses a swing & miss slider, which has the makings of a plus offering.
Navarro can certainly rack up the strikeouts, however, the walks have come in bunches as well. In addition to refining his command, Navarro will probably need to add a third pitch, if he wants to remain a starting pitching against more advanced competition moving forward.
Wilber Dotel
When you have an organization that has arms like Paul Skenes, Jared Jones, Bubba Chandler, and Hunter Barco, it’s easy to get lost in the pitching shuffle. Perhaps no finer example than Wilber Dotel.
Dotel has been with the Pirates’ organization since 2020, this after signing out of Santo Domingo.
As of 2023, Dotel’s fastball averaged 93 mph. But since then, it’s been a significant uptick in velo, averaging 96, and capable of touching triple-digits.
The 22-year-old right-hander is currently pitching for AA Altoona. In nine starts with the Curve, he’s posting a 3.43 ERA, along with 51 strikeouts in 39.1 innings of work (11.7 K/9).
Dotel’s command has been an issue, for much of his professional career, although the walks have seen a decrease this season, with a 3.4 BB/9. Even if Dotel isn’t able to fully harness the control, to continue being a starter, he at the very least could be an electric, late-inning reliever.
Will Taylor
Will Taylor was a fifth round selection of the Pirates in the 2024 MLB Draft out of Clemson. Pittsburgh apparently saw enough upside in Taylor, as they were able to sign the 5’10 outfielder, to an over slot deal of $500,000.
Taylor made his pro debut last year playing for Bradenton. He struggled to get things going offensively, as he slashed .206/.329/.349.
The Pirates assigned Taylor back to Bradenton to begin 2025, and the results have been much more positive, with a line of .292/.395/.446, in 76 plate appearances to this point. He has six stolen bases, but has also been caught six times, so he will need to improve his base stealing efficiency.
While the great speed for Taylor hasn’t exactly translated well on the base paths, it’s certainly been an asset for him defensively - covering plenty of ground in the outfield. The reports on his throwing arm are considered fringy.
Assuming Taylor continues to develop well at the plate, he will likely get a promotion to High A Greensboro, before the end of the season.