Pirates' Hunter Barco Finds Groove in Two Dominant Starts

For the 2025 season as a whole, Barco’s numbers remain outstanding. Across 14 starts between Double-A and Triple-A, he has thrown 57.1 innings with a 2.04 ERA, 74 strikeouts, and just 35 hits allowed. Opponents are batting just .176 against him, and he has maintained a stellar 1.05 WHIP, demonstrating both his ability to miss bats and limit hard contact.

Drafted in the second round (#44 overall) of the 2022 MLB draft, the Pirates have been cautiously managing Barco’s progression, and his recent success at Triple-A suggests he may be adjusting to the higher level of competition.

His fastball command and sharp secondary pitches — particularly his slider and splitter — have been key factors in his success. If he continues pitching at this level, it may not be long before he gets a look in the big leagues, especially if Pittsburgh’s rotation needs reinforcement later in the season.

Barco’s development is particularly important for a Pirates organization that has prided itself on its pitching depth in recent years. With his combination of strikeout ability and control, he has the potential to be a mid-rotation starter or even more if he maintains this trajectory.

Indianapolis Indians (Triple-A)

Results & Current Record: 4-2 vs. Omaha, 46-34 this season
Top Performers:

• 1B Nick Solak: .421 AVG, .476 OBP, 2 HR, 6 RBI since June 24
• SP Hunter Barco: 2 GS, 12 IP, 1 ER, 6 H, 1 BB, 13 K since June 24
• SP Bubba Chandler: 1 GS, 3.1 IP, 3 H, 1 ER, 4 BB, 6 K

Notable: The Indians pitched their sixth shutout of the season on June 27. It was a bullpen game for Indianapolis, with five pitchers combining for the shutout.

Altoona Curve (Double-A)

Results & Current Record: 5-1 vs Chesapeake, 35-39 this season
Top Performers:

• INF Termarr Johnson: .320 AVG, .357 OBP, 2 2B, 1 HR, 2 RBI since June 24
• INF Mike Jarvis: .385 AVG, .429 OBP, 2 2B, 4 RBI since June 24
• RP Justin Meis: 2 G, 3.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 7 K, 1 SV

Notable: The Curve had their most wins in a week this season thus far with their resounding series victory over the Chesapeake Bay Sox.

Greensboro Grasshoppers (High-A)

Results & Current Record: 5-1 vs Winston-Salem, 52-22 this season
Top Performers:

• SS Javier Rivas: .200 AVG, .261 OBP, 3 HR, 8 RBI since June 24
• 1B Esmerlyn Valdez: .143 AVG, .250 OBP, 1HR, 3 2B, 7 RBI since June 24
• SS Konnor Griffin: .368 AVG, .500 OBP, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 4 SB since June 24
• SP Carlson Reed: 1 GS, 5 IP, 1 H, 1 ER, 7 K

Notable: Konnor Griffin and Esmerlyn Valdez were chosen for this year's MLB All-Star Futures Game in Atlanta.

Bradenton Marauders (Low-A)

Results & Current Record: 3-2 vs Dunedin, 34-39 this season
Top Performers:

• SS Yordany De Los Santos: .278 AVG, .278 OBP, 1 HR, 2 RBI, 1 SB since June 24
• OF Edward Florentino: .313 AVG, .368 OBP, 3 2B, 3 RBI since June 24
• SP Carlos Castillo: 1 GS, 6 IP, 4 H, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K

Notable: Sunday's game against Dunedin was stopped in the top of the 11th inning for a rain delay with the score tied 3-3. The game is scheduled be completed on July 25.

Player of the Week:

Barco (IND) – Barco delivered two standout performances for the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians this week, showcasing why he’s considered one of the organization’s top young arms. The 24-year-old left-hander dominated the Omaha Storm Chasers in back-to-back starts, first on June 24 (6 IP, 5 H, 0 R, 1 BB, 6 K) and again on June 29 (6 IP, 1 HR, 1 R, 0 BB, 7 K). These outings slashed his Triple-A ERA from 5.49 to an impressive 3.69, signaling a potential breakthrough after early struggles following his May promotion.

This Week:

• Indianapolis Indians: @ Louisville (July 1-3), vs. Louisville (July 4-6)
• Altoona Curve: vs. Harrisburg (July 1-3), @ Harrisburg (July 4-6)
• Greensboro Grasshoppers: vs. Aberdeen (July 1-3), @ Aberdeen (July 4-6)
• Bradenton Marauders: vs. Fort Myers (July 1-3), @ Fort Myers (July 4-6)