Pirates Prospects Off to Interesting Starts
Murf Gray: A Promising Start with a Strong Foundation
Murf Gray has made a significant impact in the minor league system of the Pittsburgh Pirates. His performance at A-Ball was nothing short of impressive, as he recorded a .359/.436/.606 batting line with an astounding .470 wOBA and 174 wRC+ over his first 166 plate appearances. The third base prospect hit eight home runs during this period, resulting in an isolated slugging percentage of .246.
Gray’s 9% walk rate may not be eye-catching, but his 18.1% strikeout rate shows that he is making consistent contact. His hot start earned him a promotion to High-A Greensboro, where he immediately made an impression by hitting a home run in his first game for the Grasshoppers. As a hit-first corner infielder, Gray will need to maintain his offensive production to remain valuable.
Despite his high batting average on balls in play (BABIP) of .406 at Bradenton, there are reasons to believe that Gray can sustain most of his success. He demonstrated a 22.8% whiff rate and an 80.5% contact rate at Bradenton, along with a below-10% swinging strike rate of 9.1%. His raw power and 12.2% barrel percentage also contribute to his potential. His xwOBA at A-Ball was .397, which ranks among the highest for Statcast-tracked A-Ball hitters with at least 100 plate appearances.
Axiel Plaz: Rising Star Behind the Plate
Axiel Plaz is emerging as one of the Pirates’ top catching prospects. After showing promise in a shortened 2025 season, he started the 2026 campaign at High-A Greensboro. At just 20 years old, Plaz is close to earning a spot in Double-A Altoona. In 142 plate appearances, he is batting .354/.411/.598 with seven home runs. His .441 wOBA and 152 wRC+ highlight his offensive contributions.
Plaz’s ability to make contact is crucial to his success. His contact rate has improved from 73.7% last year to 75.6% this season, while his called and swinging strike rate has decreased slightly from 26.8% to 24.2%. His raw power is evident, as his 92.3 MPH exit velocity last year ranked third among Statcast-tracked A-Ball batters with at least 200 plate appearances. With continued development, Plaz could become a key player in the Pirates’ future lineup.
Two To Be Skeptical: Wyatt Sanford and Jared Jones
Wyatt Sanford: A Mixed Performance
Wyatt Sanford has been recognized as one of the Pirates’ top prospects, and his performance seems to justify this ranking. He is batting .292/.423/.511 with a .422 wOBA and 140 wRC+. His power display includes six home runs in 171 plate appearances, along with a .219 ISO. Additionally, he has stolen 16 bases in 17 attempts, showcasing his speed.
Sanford’s defensive skills are also noteworthy, as he projects as an above-average middle infielder with a strong arm and enough speed to stick at shortstop. However, his performance at the plate raises concerns. While he walks at a healthy 13.5% rate, he strikes out over a third of the time, with a K% of 35.1%. His contact rate is only 60.5%, which is similar to Joey Gallo’s MLB career contact percentage. His swinging strike rate has increased significantly from 11.3% to 18.9%, and his BABIP of .479 is unsustainable.
Jared Jones: A Hot Start with Unlikely Sustainability
Jared Jones, the first base prospect, has had a strong start to the 2026 season. His first 142 plate appearances yielded a .339/.430/.504 line with five home runs. His .422 wOBA and 140 wRC+ reflect his offensive output. Known for his power, Jones has hit four of his five home runs in May.
However, his BABIP of .493 is extremely high and unlikely to be sustained. While his contact rate of 68.7% and a 31% strikeout rate are better than Sanford’s, they still fall short of elite standards. His raw power may help some batted balls turn into hits, but not nearly 50% of non-home run batted balls.
