Five Pirates Position Player Prospects Pushing For Promotion

He is also one of the best hitters in the South Atlantic League, with the third-best batting average seventh-best on-base percentage and 22nd-best OPS, plus the 11th-most hits.

The Pirates took Jones in the ninth round of the 2025 MLB Draft out of LSU and he was actually a teammate of right-handed pitcher Paul Skenes, where they won the College World Series in 2023.

Jones, who goes by "Bear", to distinguish between the two players of the same name, will want to show some more power, but he's been great from the plate so far and moving up to Altoona shouldn't be too long for him.

Axiel Plaz (C/1B/DH, Greensboro)

Perhaps the best hitter for the Pirates in Greensboro is Axiel Plaz, who is finally fully healthy and having an outstanding season.

Plaz has slashed .352/.412/.607 for an OPS of 1.019 in 31 games, 19 runs scored, 43 hits in 122 at-bats, 10 doubles, seven home runs, 29 RBI and nine walks to 28 strikeouts.

He has the best batting average in the South Atlantic League and is showing some great power earlt on.

Plaz has only played as much as 84 games in one season, but will still turn 21 years old in August, showing his youth, but also growth during his early years after signing from Venezuela for $350,000 in January 2022.

Altoona should also serve as a place he goes next, where he'll try and maintain his strong hitting.

Easton Carmichael (C, Greensboro)

Plaz shares catching duties in Greensboro with Easton Carmichael, who is also excelling at the plate in 2026.

Carmichael is slashing .318/.371/.545 for an OPS of .916, with 42 hits in 132 at-bats, 21 runs scored, five doubles, two triples, seven home runs, 27 RBI, 11 walks to 20 strikeouts and seven stolen bases on eight attempts.

He ranks tied for the sixth-best batting average in the South Atlantic League, plus the 17th-best slugging percentage/OPS, tied for the eighth-most hits, the 13th-most RBI and tied for the 14th-most home runs.

Carmichael is actually slashing better on the road (.329/.370/.579, OPS .949) than at home (.304/.371 .500, OPS .871), a good sign he will excel outside of the friendly confines of First National Bank Field in Greensboro.

The Pirates took Carmichael in the third round of the 2025 MLB Draft out of Oklahoma and he will soon get the pleasure to play in Altoona, alongside Plaz.

Edgleen Perez (C, Bradenton)

Yes, another catcher is doing well in the Pirates farm system, but this time, it's not from Greensboro!

Edgleen Perez joined the Pirates organization in the David Bednar trade with the New York Yankees at the deadline last season and is flourishing in his first full campaign at Single-A Bradenton.

Perez is slashing .321/.395/.375 for an OPS of .770 in 30 games, with 36 hits in 112 at-bats, three doubles, a home run, 20 RBI and 14 walks to 21 strikeouts.

He has the fourth-best batting average in the Florida State League, 14th-best on-base percentage and 24th-best OPS, with the ninth-most hits.

Perez will turn 20 years old next week, but if he keeps hitting like this, and with the likel promotions of Plaz and Carmichael, he should become the next starting catcher in Greensboro.