OOTP 26 Pittsburgh Pirates Rebuild — 2028 Q3: Injuries Impact a Historic Season
Updated: Sep 16
A battered roster, a busy deadline, and a championship contender trying to keep its historic pace.
The Pittsburgh Pirates entered the third quarter of the season chasing history, but for the first time all year, the roster started to show some cracks. Injuries forced Pittsburgh to lean heavily on its depth, while the front office had to decide how aggressive to be with October approaching. The record still says this is one of baseball’s best teams, but the last 41 games may have told us much more about whether this roster is built to survive a championship run.
In This Edition
At a Glance
The Story So Far
At the midway point, one question had begun to hang over an otherwise historic season: could the Pirates continue winning at this pace while injuries tested the depth of the roster? Forty games later, the answer has been a resounding yes.
The injury bug that had begun testing Pittsburgh’s depth before the midway point never really went away. On July 5, 1B Tyler Locklear (48/48) tore ankle ligaments in a collision at second base, adding another everyday player to an already crowded injured list. Still, as had been the case throughout the season, Pittsburgh continued to find ways to absorb the losses without slowing down.
The focus briefly shifted away from the pennant race on July 11 with the 2028 Amateur Draft, giving the Pirates another opportunity to add talent to an organization whose depth had become increasingly important at the major league level. We’ll take a closer look at Pittsburgh’s newest draft class later in the farm-system report.
One week later, six Pirates represented the club at the Midsummer Classic: SP Paul Skenes (80/80), 2B Termarr Johnson (63/63), 3B Coby Mayo (60/61), SS Bo Bichette (53/53), LF Jack Suwinski (51/51), and CF Kevin Alcantara (56/59). Sending six players to the All-Star Game was yet another reflection of just how dominant Pittsburgh had been during the first half. Johnson also made his mark in the game, going 1-for-2 with an RBI as the National League fell 7–5.
With the draft and All-Star festivities behind them, the Pirates returned to the field and immediately picked up where they had left off. That relentless pace was on full display in late July, when Pittsburgh reeled off 10 consecutive wins, beginning with a doubleheader sweep of the New York Yankees on July 22. In the opener, rookie RHP Brett Crossland (46/61) turned in another solid performance, limiting New York to one run over five innings. His final line: 5 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 3 BB, 5 K.
Even during the winning streak, however, the injuries continued to mount. On July 27, 3B Jack Brannigan (47/47) suffered a concussion after being hit in the head by a pitch, once again forcing Pittsburgh to shuffle the roster. The rehabbing 3B Jhonny Severino (48/52) was recalled the following day, while 1B Carlos Caro (42/45) joined the major league club as the Pirates once again turned to their organizational depth.
The hot stretch carried into August and also gave Pittsburgh a measure of revenge against the Boston Red Sox, who had swept the Pirates in the World Series just 10 months earlier. This time, Pittsburgh returned the favor, sweeping the defending champions at Fenway Park in a mid-August series. The sweep was capped by a 14–6 blowout in which Rookie of the Year candidate LF Shalin Polanco (49/51) went 4-for-5 with 2 HR, 4 R, and 5 RBI.
Through it all, the Pirates barely missed a beat. Pittsburgh finished the third quarter an incredible 33–7, turning what was already a remarkable season into a legitimate chase for baseball history. With the final 41 games ahead, the 116-win benchmark first set by the 1906 Chicago Cubs and later matched by the 2001 Seattle Mariners is no longer some distant possibility. The Pirates have put themselves in position to make a serious run at it.
State of the Pirates
Still Setting the Pace
Pittsburgh enters the final quarter at 99–22, sitting 35.5 games clear in the NL Central and on pace for 133 wins. At this point, the division race is effectively over; the focus has shifted toward just how far this team can push its historic regular-season pace.
For those interested in the complete numbers, the full Team Rankings screenshot can be found here.
The Offense
Runs scored: 675 — 1st in the NL
Batting Average: .258 — 1st
On-Base PCT: .331 — 1st
OPS: .781 — 1st
wOBA: .332 — 1st
Homeruns: 169 — t-1st
Pittsburgh’s offense has remained the most complete units in baseball despite the constant lineup turnover. The Pirates lead MLB in most ever major offensive category, and what stands out most is that the injuries haven’t created a meaningful drop-off in overall production, with players further down the depth chart continuing to contribute when called upon.
Pitching
Runs against: 369 — 1st in the NL
Starter ERA: 2.81 — 1st
Bullpen ERA: 2.55 — 1st
FIP: 3.44 — 1st
Strikeouts: 1123 — 1st
The foundation of this team's success since we began this journey back in 2025 remains firmly in place. Pittsburgh's pitching staff continues to set the standard across MLB, sporting a collective ERA below 3.00, the only staff in baseball to currently hold that distinction. And while the starting rotation has been elite with a 2.81 ERA, the bullpen has somehow managed to outshine it, posting an MLB-best 2.55 ERA.
Defense and Baserunning
Defensive Eff.: .730 — 1st in the NL
Zone Rating: +18.4 — 4th
Errors: 57 — t-10th
Stolen Bases: 146 — 2nd
Base Running Value: +11.7 — 1st
Errors have shown some improvement since the midseason review, with Pittsburgh climbing from 15th to 10th in the rankings. More importantly, the defense as a whole remains one of the league’s better units, ranking 1st in defensive efficiency and 4th in zone rating.
On the basepaths, the Pirates find themselves in an unfamiliar position: for the first time that I can recall, they aren’t leading the league in stolen bases. Arizona currently holds the top spot with 151, just ahead of Pittsburgh’s 146. Even so, the Pirates remain an elite baserunning club, leading the league with a +11.7 baserunning value.
The Verdict
Even with injuries forcing constant lineup changes, Pittsburgh remains the most complete team in baseball. The depth has prevented any meaningful drop-off, and with the rotation still performing at an elite level, the only question left may be whether this club can sustain the pace long enough to make history.
Stars of the Stretch
Paul Skenes continues to redefine elite pitching, putting together a season that is beginning to threaten Jacob deGrom’s legendary 2018 campaign with the Mets. That year, deGrom posted a 1.70 ERA with 269 strikeouts against just 46 walks, accompanied by an incredible 1.98 FIP and 0.91 WHIP.
Skenes opened the third quarter by closing out a June in which he was named NL Pitcher of the Month, then promptly duplicated the feat in July. Over the stretch, he went a combined 9–0 across 63.1 IP, striking out 69 while walking just 14. His 1.29 ERA and 0.65 WHIP were the best marks of any starting pitcher in the league. Skenes has already surpassed his previous career high of 20 wins, set in 2026, and remains on pace to establish new personal bests in innings pitched, strikeouts, WHIP, and pitching WAR. Performances like this are exactly why the Pirates committed five years and $201 million to their ace during the offseason.
Polanco opened his rookie season on an absolute tear, combining for 9 home runs, 20 RBIs, and an OPS approaching 1.200 over the first two months of the year. After cooling off through May and June, the 24-year-old has rediscovered that early-season form, slugging over .600 while adding 9 home runs and 25 RBIs across July and August. His 22 home runs now rank second on the Pirates, trailing only CF Kevin Alcantara (56/59) and his 23.
That resurgence has also kept Polanco firmly in the Rookie of the Year conversation. Among qualified rookies, he is tied for second in home runs, just one behind Tampa Bay’s Theo Gillen, while ranking third in RBIs and batting WAR. His 64 runs scored lead all rookies, further illustrating just how much of an impact he has made in his first full major-league season.
Signed by Pittsburgh as an international free agent in 2021, Polanco has spent seven years working his way through the organization. Now, in 2028, that development is paying off in a major way as he has emerged as an important piece of one of the most successful teams in franchise history.
There were legitimate questions entering the offseason about whether Jack Suwinski would return to Pittsburgh for his final year of arbitration. His 2027 season produced his lowest WAR and OPS marks since 2025, while his slugging percentage finished nearly 60 points below his career average.
The front office ultimately bet on a return to form, tendering Suwinski a $12.287 million contract, and he has rewarded that decision better than most could have expected. His .817 OPS would represent a career high if sustained, while he is once again closing in on the 20-home run mark. Suwinski has already surpassed his entire 2027 RBI total, driving in 74 runs with the final quarter of the season still to play.
Much of that production has come during the third quarter. Suwinski posted a 1.014 OPS in June and .952 in July, and while he has cooled to .733 thus far in August, an incredible 49 of his 74 RBIs have come during that stretch. He has also remained a menace on the basepaths, stealing 34 bases without being caught once. That leaves him just 10 steals shy of passing Doggie Miller’s 226 for 9th on the Pirates’ all-time stolen-base list.
Suwinski has also worked his way into the franchise record books with his power. On July 11, he launched the 140th home run of his Pirates career in a 7–0 win over Cleveland, moving past Jason Bay for 10th on the franchise’s all-time home run list. He now sits just eight behind Bryan Reynolds for 9th.
What once looked like a difficult arbitration decision has instead become one of the front office’s better bets of the season. With injuries taking a heavy toll on Pittsburgh’s infield, Suwinski’s resurgence has provided the lineup with exactly the kind of veteran production it needed.
Honorable Mentions
Brendan Donovan
3B | 48/48 | Age: 31
2028 Season (with Pittsburgh):
15 G | .423/.500/.712 | 1.212 OPS | 2 HR | 9 RBI | 237 wRC+
Acquired at the trade deadline, Donovan has made an immediate impact in Pittsburgh. He had a stellar debut with Pittsburgh on July 31, in a 5-2 win against the Chicago Cubs going 3-3, 1 R, 1 2B, 1 BB. He has recorded six multi-hit games and gone hitless just twice in 15 games, while raising his overall season OPS by nearly 60 points to .863 since joining the Pirates, the nine doubles he has hit since joining the club lead the team.
Will Warren
RHP | 56/56 | Age: 29
2028 Season:
11-4 | 117.2 IP | 2.29 ERA | 1.05 WHIP | 108 K | 3.20 FIP | 3.0 WAR
Acquired from the Yankees during the offseason in the deal that sent RHP Mel Ramos and 1B Kyle Manzardo to New York, Warren has been far more than a typical fifth starter. His 2.29 ERA ranks second among Pittsburgh starters, and he has established himself as one of the better pitchers in the league despite occupying the final spot in an already-loaded rotation. On most teams, Warren’s performance would warrant a spot near the top of the rotation; in Pittsburgh, it somehow makes him the fifth starter.
Yoldin De La Paz
LHP | 46/46 | Age: 26
2028 Season:
4-0 | 45.0 IP | 0.40 ERA | 0.87 WHIP | 45 K | 1.73 FIP | 1.9 WAR
De La Paz has been nothing short of a shutdown reliever since reaching the majors last season. Across 87.0 career innings, he has yet to allow a single home run and has surrendered just five earned runs, giving him a remarkable 0.52 career ERA. Somehow, he has lowered that mark even further in 2028, posting a 0.40 ERA with a 1.73 FIP through 45.0 innings. De La Paz is quickly establishing himself as one of the most valuable bullpen arms in baseball.
Rookie Contributions
With injuries forcing Pittsburgh to dig deep into its organization throughout the season, rookie contributions have become an important part of sustaining the club’s historic pace. Between pitchers and position players, Pirates rookies have combined for 258 games played, with several stepping into meaningful roles when the major-league roster needed them most.
LF Shalin Polanco (49/51) has understandably grabbed most of the attention as he puts together a potential Rookie of the Year campaign, but he has hardly been alone. 1B Jhonny Severino (48/52), SS Wyatt Sanford (42/47), 1B Carlos Caro (42/45), C Harry Ford (50/57), LF Billy Cook (41/41), and RHP Brett Crossland (46/61) have all contributed along the way, helping Pittsburgh weather its injuries without sacrificing the remarkable success of the 2028 season.
Brett Crossland
RHP | 46/61 | Age: 22
2028 Season:
24 G 4 GS | 5-0 | 57.2 IP | 2.81 ERA | 1.25 WHIP | 62 K | 3.94 FIP | 0.5 WAR
Crossland initially received his opportunity early in the season when RHP Logan Gilbert (53/53) served a seven-game suspension for his role in a May 7 brawl after hitting former Pirate Jared Triolo with a first-inning pitch. Since then, the 22-year-old has answered the call in both the rotation and bullpen, posting a 3.86 ERA and 1.38 WHIP as a starter compared with a 2.21 ERA and 1.17 WHIP in relief. July was Crossland’s best month yet. Across six appearances, including one start, he posted a 1.29 ERA over 14.0 IP, striking out 13 while recording a 1.14 WHIP and 3.05 FIP.
Jhonny Severino
1B | 48/52 | Age: 23
2028 Season:
65 G | .262/.300/.495 | .795 OPS | 12 HR | 38 RBI | 119 wRC+
Severino missed part of May and all of June while recovering from a hernia, but since returning from the injured list on July 8, he has become an important part of the Pittsburgh lineup. In that span, the 23-year-old has launched 10 home runs and driven in 29 runs, providing another source of power while injuries continued to test the roster. The surge has completely changed the complexion of his rookie season. At the time of his injury, Severino was hitting just .215/.270/.366 with a .636 OPS; since returning, his production has helped raise his overall season line to .262/.300/.495 with a .795 OPS and a 119 wRC+.
Wyatt Sanford
SS | 42/47 | Age: 22
2028 Season:
42 G | .211/.243/.323 | .566 OPS | 1 HR | 20 RBI | 53 wRC+
Sanford made his major-league debut on July 12, with Pittsburgh needing reinforcements at shortstop while its five-time All-Star starter rehabbed from a separated shoulder. The 22-year-old provided stability where the Pirates needed it most, handling 265.0 defensive innings at shortstop while committing just one error, good for a .990 fielding percentage. His offensive production was less impressive, as Sanford hit .211/.243/.323 with a .566 OPS and 53 wRC+, but he still managed to drive in 20 runs in 42 games. His best performance came against Baltimore, when he went 2-for-4 with his first major-league home run and a career-high three RBIs, albeit in a losing effort.
Carlos Caro
1B | 42/45 | Age: 23
2028 Season:
14 G | .300/.417/.533 | .950 OPS | 2 HR | 8 RBI | 156 wRC+
Caro was called up to help stabilize an injury-riddled infield, with the versatility to handle both corner infield spots as well as second base. Although he appeared in just 14 games for Pittsburgh, the 23-year-old made the most of his opportunity, posting a .950 OPS and 156 wRC+ while committing no errors across 45.0 defensive innings. His best performance came on July 29, when he earned Player of the Game honors after going 2-for-4 with a home run and four RBIs, helping Pittsburgh edge Kansas City, 9–8.
Harry Ford
C | 50/57 | Age: 25
2028 Season (with Pittsburgh):
9 G | .281/.361/.375 | .736 OPS | 0 HR | 4 RBI | 113 wRC+
Ford was one of three players Pittsburgh acquired in the deal that sent RF Jo Adell (52/52), LF Andrew Patrick (37/40), and LHP Victor Paz (31/62) the other way. He made his Pirates debut on August 8 after hitting .235/.408/.339 with 2 HR and 21 RBI in 34 games at Indianapolis. While catcher remains his primary position, Ford’s versatility has already been useful. He has taken all of his starts with Pittsburgh in left field, where he owns a perfect fielding percentage, while also showing strong plate discipline with an 11.1% walk rate. He has added three doubles and four RBIs in his first nine games, and his role could continue to expand as the season moves toward its final quarter.
Billy Cook
OF | 41/41 | Age: 29
2028 Season:
11 G | .207/.250/.207 | .457 OPS | 0 HR | 2 RBI | 30 wRC+
Cook was called up to provide additional versatility off the bench, primarily serving as a late-inning defensive replacement in the outfield while also logging 24.0 innings at first base. He committed no errors at any position and also made an impact as a pinch runner, successfully stealing a base in both of his opportunities.
From the Front Office
With Pittsburgh running away with the NL Central and already looking ahead toward October, the front office could have easily taken a conservative approach during the third quarter. Instead, the Pirates remained active on multiple fronts, reinforcing the bullpen, adding another versatile bat at the trade deadline, and making two significant long-term commitments to players viewed as pieces of the organization’s future.
The moves weren’t about dramatically reshaping a roster that was already winning at a historic pace. Rather, they were about strengthening the margins for a postseason run while ensuring that several important pieces of the next Pirates core remained in Pittsburgh well beyond 2028.
Locking Up the Core
A major part of sustaining Pittsburgh’s success will be identifying young talent early and securing those players before they become considerably more expensive. During the third quarter, the Pirates did exactly that, making long-term commitments to two important pieces of the organization’s future. One already well on his way to stardom, and another with the potential to get there.
2B Termarr Johnson (63/63) — Betting on a Superstar
Johnson has been entrenched atop the Pirates’ lineup since his second and final major-league call-up in 2026, hitting .274/.371/.447 with an .818 OPS and 130 wRC+ over that span. In just a few seasons, he has already earned two All-Star selections and won the 2027 Silver Slugger Award at second base, firmly establishing himself as one of the core pieces of Pittsburgh’s future. Extension talks began during the summer, and on August 6 the Pirates finally secured their young star, signing Johnson to an eight-year, $192 million contract ($24 million AAV) that will keep him in Pittsburgh through the 2036 and his age 31 season.
RHP Brett Crossland (46/61) — Betting on a Upside
Crossland, a hard-throwing right-hander from Phoenix, Arizona, was selected by Pittsburgh in the fourth round of the 2025 First-Year Player Draft, 113th overall. He moved quickly through the minor-league system before earning his first major-league call-up on May 9, when he tossed six innings of one-run ball against the Colorado Rockies to earn player of the game honors and his first career victory. The talent has been evident throughout his rise, highlighted by a devastating changeup complemented by an equally promising fastball and slider. Rather than wait for Crossland to reach his full potential, and potentially become considerably more expensive, the Pirates acted early. On July 7, Pittsburgh finalized a 10-year, $106.1 million contract ($10.6 million AAV) that will keep the 22-year-old under team control through 2038. The future may have already arrived in Pittsburgh with Paul Skenes at the top of the rotation, but Brett Crossland is knocking on the door of becoming another long-term fixture.
Reworking the Bullpen
While pitching has remained the foundation of this franchise since I took over in 2025, the bullpen has occasionally lacked the kind of swing-and-miss stuff I’d like from a championship-caliber relief corps. During the third quarter, several opportunities emerged to reshape that group, and the front office took advantage, adding more strikeout potential while continuing to fine-tune an already successful staff.
July 24 — LHP Gregory Soto (47/47) replaces LHP Caleb Ferguson (45/45)
Ferguson had been serving as Pittsburgh’s primary left-handed specialist, but the results simply weren’t there in 2028. Against left-handed hitters, he posted a 4.50 ERA and 5.44 FIP over 20.0 innings, while his overall strikeout rate had fallen to just 6.8 K/9. With the bullpen needing more swing-and-miss potential, the front office looked for a change of scenery candidate and found one in Gregory Soto. Soto arrived from the Angels carrying a 3.12 ERA and 1.34 WHIP, but more importantly, his profile offered the strikeout upside Pittsburgh was looking for. Since joining the Pirates, he has yet to allow an earned run across 7.1 innings, while posting an 11.0 K/9. His 1.50 WHIP shows there has still been some traffic on the bases, but the early returns have delivered exactly what the Pirates hoped for: more swing-and-miss ability from the left side.
July 27 — Waiver Claim of LHP Robert Garcia (47/47)
Robert Garcia became available after being placed on waivers by the Texas Rangers, giving Pittsburgh an inexpensive opportunity to add another swing-and-miss arm. Garcia entered the move with a 10.2 career K/9 and had been striking out 9.9 batters per nine in 2028, making him an intriguing fit for the direction the Pirates wanted to take the bullpen. Pittsburgh submitted a waiver claim, and Garcia joined the club on July 27. Through his first eight appearances and 9.0 innings with the Pirates, he has posted a 2.00 ERA. His strikeout rate has dipped to 7.0 K/9 in the small sample, but with a fastball that reaches 96 mph and a quality changeup, I still expect the swing-and-miss numbers to improve as he settles into his new role. In a resulting move, RHP Dedniel Nunez (45/45) was optioned to Indianapolis.
July 29 — RHP Yennier Cano (52/52) / LHP Chandler Hart (32/57) deal
As the trade deadline approached, Pittsburgh continued looking for ways to strengthen both the major-league bullpen and the pitching depth underneath it. With Baltimore looking to shed salary, the Pirates sent RF Billy Cook (41/41) and 2B Kendrick Herrera (35/39) to the Orioles in exchange for RHP Yennier Cano (52/52) and LHP Chandler Hart (32/57), with Hart assigned to High-A Greensboro. Cano didn’t necessarily fit the same swing-and-miss profile as the earlier bullpen additions, but he brought something different to the group as an extreme ground-ball pitcher with a fastball that can reach 98 mph. Through his first nine appearances and 8.1 innings with Pittsburgh, Cano has posted a 0.72 WHIP, giving the Pirates another reliable look out of the bullpen while Hart adds a longer-term development piece to the system.
Deadline Addition
Entering the trade deadline, Pittsburgh didn’t have many obvious needs. The Pirates were already pacing the league in wins and ranking near the top of nearly every major statistical category, but the mounting injuries in the infield were becoming increasingly difficult to ignore.
The club first added some depth by signing free-agent 2B Zach McKinstry (43/43) back in late June, but the front office still wanted a more impactful corner-infield option to help bridge the gap to the postseason. That player came in the form of 1B Brendan Donovan (49/49), acquired from the Kansas City Royals in exchange for RHP Levi Sterling (37/50) as Kansas City continued retooling for the future.
Donovan’s immediate impact has already been outlined above, but his arrival provided exactly the spark Pittsburgh needed following the losses of 3B Coby Mayo (60/61) and 1B Tyler Locklear (48/48). Rather than asking the existing depth pieces to carry the entire load, the Pirates were able to add a proven major-league bat without sacrificing one of the organization’s premier prospects.
To clear the necessary roster space, RHP Alec Baker (45/45) was designated for assignment and was subsequently claimed by the Chicago Cubs.
Roster Reinforcements
The Pirates also improved without making a trade, benefiting from the return of a key veteran and the promotion of one of the organization’s more highly regarded prospects.
August 1 — SS Bo Bichette (53/53) returns from injury
Bichette returned to the lineup after missing time with a separated shoulder, giving Pittsburgh its everyday shortstop back just as the club entered the final two months of the regular season. His return also reduced the burden placed on rookie SS Wyatt Sanford (42/47), who had filled in admirably during his absence and was optioned to Indianapolis when Bichette was activated. Bichette is hitting .243/.307/.444 with a .751 OPS with 11 homeruns, 43 RBI's and a 108 wRC+ on the year.
August 7 — C Harry Ford (50/57) called up
Ford was promoted from Triple-A Indianapolis as Pittsburgh continued looking for ways to strengthen the bench and add positional versatility. While catcher remains his primary position, Ford’s ability to play the outfield gave the Pirates another flexible option for the stretch run. LF Chris Newell (45/45) was optioned to Triple-A in the corresponding move.
Around the Majors
While Pittsburgh’s historic season continues to dominate the headlines, there is plenty happening elsewhere around Major League Baseball as the playoff picture begins to take shape. With roughly 40 games remaining, several division races remain unsettled, individual award battles are heating up, and a handful of career milestones have fallen, or are quickly approaching.
Milestones
On July 25, Arizona Diamondbacks 1B Joc Pederson (49/49) hit career homerun #300 against the Cleveland Guardians.
On July 31, Boston Red Sox 3B Rafael Devers (53/53) hit career homerun #300 against the Tampa Bay Rays.
On August 8, New York Mets SS Francisco Lindor (53/53) collected his 2000th career hit against the Las Vegas Athletics.
The Playoff Picture
Four of the six divisions are separated by three games or fewer, setting up several intriguing races over the final quarter of the season. The two exceptions are the NL East, where Atlanta holds a seven-game advantage, and of course the NL Central, where Pittsburgh has opened an almost unbelievable 35.5-game lead.
AL East: Baltimore currently holds a two-game lead over Tampa Bay, with Boston sitting 4.5 games back. The Yankees, meanwhile, are in real danger of missing the postseason altogether, sitting eight games under .500.
AL Central: The Chicago White Sox and Minnesota Twins are locked in a dead heat for first place, remarkably with both clubs still owning records below .500.
AL West: Perhaps the tightest race in baseball, four teams sit within 2.5 games of the division-leading Seattle Mariners. Houston is the lone team outside that group, sitting six games under .500 and 8.5 games back.
NL West: Arizona holds a three-game lead over the surprising Colorado Rockies, while the disappointing Los Angeles Dodgers sit five games under .500 at 58–63.
The complete MLB standings can be viewed here.
The Trade Deadline
It was a relatively quiet deadline, but there were still a few moves worth noting.
The Seattle Mariners sent 19-year-old minor league 2B Alex Ortiz (28/78) and 18-year-old minor league RHP Bobby Tovar (20/31) to the Miami Marlins for 25-year-old RHP Eury Perez (70/70).
The New York Mets sent 34-year-old RHP Tyler Glasnow (52/52) and $3,110,000 in cash to the Colorado Rockies for 21-year-old minor league 2B Jordan Yost (37/45).
The Los Angeles Angels acquired 30-year-old RHP Drey Jameson (50/50) from the San Francisco Giants for 16-year-old minor league RHP Jon Lopez (24/40) and 19-year-old minor league 3B Rick Wyatt (21/37).
League Leaders
Cincinnati Reds 3B Elly De La Cruz (80/80) has firmly placed himself in the MVP conversation, leading MLB in home runs (44), RBIs (104), slugging percentage (.668), OPS (1.071), and batting WAR (6.6). With the final quarter still to play, De La Cruz has emerged as one of the most dominant offensive players in baseball.
On the mound, Pirates RHP Paul Skenes (80/80) remains the heavy favorite to capture his fourth consecutive Cy Young Award. Skenes leads MLB in ERA (1.68), wins (21), and pitching WAR (6.6), while ranking 2nd in innings pitched (160.2) and 3rd in strikeouts (199).
The complete MLB batting leaders can be viewed here. The complete MLB pitching leaders can be viewed here.
Down on the Farm
At the conclusion of the third quarter, Pittsburgh's farm system ranks 19th overall, with three players appearing among MLB's Top 100 prospects: 19-year-old RHP Hector Gasca (35/59) at No. 38, 22-year-old RHP Adrian Ross (37/68) at No. 58, and 19-year-old CF Yoshi Ziv (29/67) at No. 75.
Considering some of the trades that have thinned the system over the course of the season, I think that ranking is fair. The organization currently feels like one with a high floor but a more modest ceiling: there is useful talent throughout almost every level, but outside of a handful of names, there isn't an abundance of obvious future star power. The performance of the affiliates reflects that depth, with nearly every level of the system enjoying a successful season. The lone exception has been Indianapolis, whose roster has been repeatedly raided to fill holes created by injuries at the major-league level.
One of the more memorable performances of the quarter came from 2028 seventh-round pick RF Steve Noetzel (25/54), who hit for the cycle on July 30 against the Orioles DSL Black squad. He went 4-for-5 with the aforementioned cycle and seven RBIs. For a player selected outside the early rounds of the draft, it was an impressive early glimpse of what he might be able to provide as he begins his professional career, and exactly the kind of performance that makes a lower-round prospect worth keeping an eye on.
Affiliate Records
Affiliate | Level | Record | Standing |
Indianapolis Indians | AAA | 53-65 | 8th |
Altoona Curve | AA | 67-41 | 1st |
Greensboro Grasshoppers | A+ | 69-39 | 1st |
Bradenton Marauders | A | 84-24 | 1st |
FCL Pirates | R | 29-20 | 1st |
DSL Pirates Black | R | 57-3 | 1st |
DSL Pirates Gold | R | 51-6 | 1st |
The lower levels of the organization have produced some remarkable results, particularly in the Dominican Summer League, where Pittsburgh's two affiliates have combined for an astounding 108–9 record. Bradenton has been nearly as dominant at 84–24, while Greensboro and Altoona both sit atop their respective leagues.
That success could create movement throughout the system before long. Players at High-A and Double-A may soon be pushed upward to replenish an Indianapolis roster that has lost considerable talent to major-league call-ups. It could also create some difficult decisions this offseason, as several prospects are beginning to run into positional roadblocks that may prevent them from advancing despite strong performances. With morale becoming a concern in some cases, the front office may eventually need to use trades to create clearer paths through the organization.
Prospect Stock Watch
And finally a look at some of our top 20 prospects in our stock watch. The organization got a fresh injection of talent thanks to the MLB first-year draft and some trades, while some organizational cornerstones continue to make their case to be brought up to the next level.
📈 Stock Up
Alex Kranzler
RHP | AAA | 38/57 | Age: 23
2028 Season:
9 G | 0-2 | 11.0 IP | 3.27 ERA | 1.00 WHIP | 11 K | 3.89 FIP | 0.3 WAR
Kranzler earned a promotion to Triple-A Indianapolis on July 22 after dominating out of the bullpen for Double-A Altoona. In 28.0 innings with the Curve, he posted a 1.29 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and 2.54 FIP, converting 20 saves while striking out 36 against just 11 walks. The 23-year-old has handled the jump well thus far, posting a 3.27 ERA and 1.00 WHIP through his first 11.0 Triple-A innings. While the sample remains small, Kranzler has shown that his success at Altoona can translate against more advanced competition, putting him another step closer to potentially contributing in Pittsburgh.
Branlyn Brazoban
RF | AAA | 42/57 | Age: 21
2028 Season:
43 G | .301/.356/.530 | .886 OPS | 8 HR | 36 RBI | 116 wRC+
Brazoban has continued to produce as he works his way through the organization. His breakout came with Bradenton in 2027, when he hit .297/.409/.514 with a .923 OPS, launching 21 home runs and driving in 111 runs while posting a 135 wRC+ and 3.3 WAR.
That success has carried into 2028, where the 21-year-old is once again hitting over .300 while showing the power that makes him one of the more intriguing bats in the system. With the ability to handle all three outfield positions and 60-grade potential power, Brazoban has the profile of a legitimate future major-league contributor. Another season of refinement, potentially with time in Indianapolis, could put him firmly on Pittsburgh’s doorstep.
Manny Meza
SS | R (DSL) | 23/60 | Age: 17
2028 Season:
46 G | .363/.522/.530 | 1.094 OPS | 6 HR | 52 RBI | 160 wRC+
Meza was acquired from Seattle in the Jo Adell trade and has done nothing but hit since joining Pittsburgh’s Dominican Summer League affiliate. While still extremely young and raw, the 17-year-old already possesses an intriguing offensive profile, with 65 potential Contact and Eye, 70 Avoid K’s, and 80 Gap Power.
That skill set has translated quickly. In just 182 at-bats, Meza has collected 14 doubles and three triples, showing exactly the kind of extra-base ability his ratings suggest. His plate discipline may be even more impressive, as he has drawn 55 walks against just 53 strikeouts, helping push his on-base percentage to an exceptional .522.
The biggest question remains his long-term defensive home. Meza currently carries just 35 potential at shortstop, so a move elsewhere on the diamond may eventually be necessary. At only 17 years old, however, there is still plenty of development time ahead, and his bat already looks capable of carrying significant value regardless of where he ultimately settles defensively.
👀 Keep Watching
Hector Gasca
RHP | A | 35/59 | Age: 19
2028 Season:
19 G | 7-4 | 94.1 IP | 3.72 ERA | 1.33 WHIP | 125 K | 4.41 FIP | 1.7 WAR
MLB’s No. 38 overall prospect is putting together a solid second season with Bradenton, striking out 125 batters in 94.1 innings at just 19 years old. Gasca’s upside remains driven by his electric arsenal, with both his fastball and slider carrying 80-grade potential and his velocity eventually projected to reach as high as 99 mph. The biggest question remains how deep Gasca will ultimately be able to work into games. He is averaging just under five innings per outing this season, leaving some uncertainty about whether his long-term future lies in the rotation or bullpen. At only 19, however, there is still plenty of time for him to build the stamina and efficiency necessary to remain a starter as he progresses through the system.
📉 Stock Down
Pedro Diaz
RHP | R (DSL) | 26/44 | Age: 19
2028 Season:
6 G | 1-1 | 21.2 IP | 9.97 ERA | 2.22 WHIP | 36 K | 7.56 FIP | 0.1 WAR
Diaz was scouted by Tony Pavlovich and granted a minor league contract in the international complex in 2026. Matching the profile of a finesse pitcher with a good changeup he was slated to fill a depth starting spot or be an inning-eating reliver. But his struggles in the DSL (albeit a small sample size) have been pretty significant posting an ERA pushing 10 and a WHIP north of 2. While still on the younger side, big strides need to be made from Diaz in order for him to meet his potential.
Looking Ahead
At 99-22, there isn't much left for the Pirates to prove during the regular season. Pittsburgh has spent the first three quarters of 2028 establishing itself as not only the best team in baseball, but one with a legitimate opportunity to put together one of the greatest regular seasons in MLB history. With 41 games remaining, the all-time record of 116 wins is no longer some distant possibility, it's directly in front of them.
But if the third quarter proved anything, it's that the road to October won't necessarily be a smooth one. Injuries to Tyler Locklear and Jack Brannigan have already forced the organization to dip further into its depth, and keeping the rest of the roster healthy may ultimately be more important than whatever number ends up in the win column. The Pirates have built enough of a cushion in the NL Central that the focus can gradually begin shifting from simply winning games to making sure this team is in the best possible position when the postseason arrives.
That doesn't mean the final quarter will be short on things to watch. The chase for history remains, younger players and recent call-ups will have opportunities to prove they belong, and several Pirates will be fighting for postseason roles as the roster takes its final shape. Pittsburgh has already made 2028 a season worth remembering. Now comes the final 41 games, and the chance to turn a historic regular season into something much bigger in October.
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