8/1/23 By Craig W. Toth (aka @BucsBasement on Twitter)
They say time flies when you are having fun; but, the same could be said for what happens when you are insanely busy.
Over the past month I have gone on two vacations, celebrated a National Holiday in the middle of the week and had my Mom come down to visit the family for a week.
Sure all of this has been immensely enjoyable, however, it has left little down time to do much of anything else; especially keeping up with providing the weekly Top 5 Pirates Prospect Performers that some of you have come to enjoy.
Now, I can’t guarantee that a stretch like this won’t happen again-as I always put my family first-but I hope to be more consistent with my blogging; to go along with the two weekly podcasts I put out on a near constant basis.
Plus, if I am being totally honest, there would have been weeks that coming up five names would have been a pretty difficult task.
Throughout the Pirates Farm System guys have been showing flashes, yet haven’t been nearly consistent enough to be touted as a Top 5. At least not without some explaining away the unremarkable nature of their overall statistics; which might still happen in this month long look.
1) Termarr Johnson-SS/2B (Bradenton)
Yes, that Termarr Johnson. The first round pick from a year ago, who people were calling a bust after his first few weeks; following a Spring Training injury that delayed his start to the season. Because, you know, 6 weeks off doesn’t effect a player at all.
By the end of May, Johnson had worked his way up to a .264 AVG with a .752 OPS and a 118 wRC. However, his power had yet to arrive-he only had one homer at that point-and he was striking out at a 35.2% rate.
Then June started; and ultimately led into July.
Over the past two months, the Georgia High School Product has crushed an additional 12 homers, while raising his OPS and wRC+ to .867 and 142 respectively. Johnson has also walked more than he has struck out during this time frame-23.9 to 22.5%.
Does this mean that all of the concerns surrounding a recently turned 19 year old young man have magically vanished?
Absolutely not.
On the year he is batting .244: which is less than ideal for a contact hitter with some pop.
But, I’m not really concerned at all. There’s plenty of time to find a balance between the contact and power; or maybe even add a little more contact in without losing the power.
2) Josiah Sightler-1B/DH (Bradenton/Greensboro)
Let’s just get this out of the way.
Sightler is 23 years old; which seems to be the biggest knock on him at the moment.
Even in High-A Greensboro, he’s still almost a year older than the average player at that level.
In my mind that means he’s doing exactly what he is supposed to against the competition…putting up video game numbers.
Across the lower half of the Pirates Minor League System, Sightler-last year’s 15th round pick out of the University of South Carolina-has posted a .429/.508/.724 slash line, with 8 long balls across 130 plate appearances. More importantly he has struck out 16 times and walked 17. He’s not chasing.
See, this was a problem during his time as a Game Cock. In 452 collegiate plate appearances, Sightler struck out 107 times versus only 38 walks.
Now, with him being in Greensboro, his propensity for putting the ball over the fence will be put on full display.
Still, I will remain more focused on those K and BB rates.
3) Esmerlyn Valdez-1B/OF (FCL)
Valdez was inked to a deal on opening day of the delayed International Signing Period back in January of 2021 from Peravia in the Dominican Republic.
This move probably went unnoticed by most due to $2.3 million signing bonus given to Shalin Polanco. Still, it’s these low level acquisitions that sometimes end up making a larger impact in the grand scheme of things; if you can develop the player properly.
As far as Valdez is concerned, all of his hard work-and development-at the complex at Pirate City seems to be paying off.
Following a somewhat lackluster introduction to the states-as an 18 year old-last season; he has come out swinging in 2023. His .725 OPS has risen to 1.074; along with an .388 AVG, that only reached .232 in 2022.
And, as you can see the power is real.
Currently working in the OF, with some first base mixed in, Valdez has the versatility that Ben Cherington and Company have come to embrace.
Now, if we could only see him in Bradenton before the end of the year.
4) Tres Gonzalez-OF (Greensboro)
Back when the Top 5s were a weekly thing. Gonzalez had become a regular; even after the early season promotion to Greensboro.
It’s good to see that things haven’t changed.
Over the past two months the Georgia Tech Product has posted a respectable .288/.397/.407 slash line, a 126 wRC+ and a 17.5% K to 13.3% BB rate.
But, beware of the other number-5 long balls-that has come along during his time with the Grasshoppers. Homers aren’t really his thing. Although, it is nice to see him showing some pop to all parts of the field.
5) Bubba Chandler-RHP (Greensboro)
Thus far in his professional career Chandler has tossed just north of 119 innings; with only the last 78 coming during a time when he was focusing on simply being on the mound. Not to mention the fact that he was a legit two sport athlete up until two years ago.
When the Pirates pried him away from Clemson, he was extremely raw; and in some ways-especially when it comes to command-he still is. However, his last couple of starts may indicate that he is turning a corner.
Over his last 21 innings of work, Chandler has walked 7 batters; with only one in last 10. Meanwhile, he has struck out 23; including an 8 strikeout, shutout performance following the All-Star Break.
On the season he has a 5.54 ERA and a 1.667 WHIP, both of which are nothing to write home about.
Nevertheless, I’ll take the 2.27 ERA and 1.05 WHIP in the month of July. At least as far as potentially moving in the right direction.
Because until they start to perform at the Major League Level, that’s all any of these guys are, right?
Conclusion
There you have it! My Top 5 Pirates Prospect Performers for the whole dang month of July.
Now remember, let me know if I missed anyone, and who your Top 5 would be. And, be sure check back each and every Tuesday-ish (hopefully) during Minor League Baseball Season.
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