Three Pirates Prospects That Should Debut in 2026

Griffin also did exceptionally well with Altoona, slashing .337/.418/.542 for an OPS of .960 in 21 games, helping them make a late run and clinch the Eastern League West Division Second Half Title, giving Altoona their first playoff appearance since 2018.

MLB Pipeline named Griffin their Hitting Prospect of the Year and Debut of the Year, while Baseball America named him their Minor League Player of the Year.

While some may see Griffin joining the Pirates on Opening Day, he would benefit from playing at Triple-A Indianapolis and continuing his development, before he is ready to excel at the MLB level.

2. Second Baseman Termarr Johnson

Termarr Johnson has seen his stock drop as a top prospect in baseball, falling off the MLB Pipeline top 100 list this season, despite still being the sixth best prospect in the Pirates system.

Still, Johnson is another player that could make the Pirates roster later on in 2026, despite not making it to Triple-A yet.

Johnson joined the Pirates as the fourth overall pick in the 2022 MLB Draft out of Benjamin E. Mays High School in Atlanta, Ga. and had just turned 18 years old when they drafted him.

He previously had not faced a minor league pitcher younger than him until earlier this season, after he turned 21 years old on June 11.

Johnson spent all of 2025 with Altoona, slashing slashing .272/.363/.382 for an OPS of .745 in 119 games, with 118 hits, 15 doubles, three triples, nine home runs, 35 RBIs, 59 walks to 93 strikeouts and 20 stolen bases on 32 attempts.

He improved throughout the season, but had his best output in August and September, slashing .326/.425/.419 for an OPS of .843 in 36 games, with 42 hits in 129 at-bats, seven doubles, one triple, one home run, 10 RBIs, 20 walks to 28 strikeouts.

Johnson also formed an infield partnership with Griffin, giving Pirates fans hopes that they'll do the same in Pittsburgh in the near future.

His numbers don't quite impress people, but as a left-handed batter, Altoona's home park, Peoples Natural Gas Field, is a hard ball park to hit in, as Johnson only had one home run there this season.

Johnson did have his eight other home runs on the road and an OPS of .791. PNC Park is also more favorable for left-handed home run hitters and Johnson could thrive, but still needs a strong showing in Indianapolis before doing so.

3. Second Base/Center Fielder Mitch Jebb

Mitch Jebb isn't a name that Pirates fans are clamoring for to make their debut next season, but he could do well for a team in need of outfield help.

Jebb started 83 of 85 games played at Altoona in center field in 2025, as he likely makes the transition from his early infield days in the minor leagues and at Michigan State towards a future outfield role.

The Pirates have Bryan Reynolds in right field and will likely sign Oneil Cruz again as their center fielder for 2026, but don't have a left fielder, after Tommy Pham's contract expired after last season.

Pittsburgh also has poor depth in their outfield, with options like Ji Hwan Bae, Alexander Canario, Ronny Simon and Jack Suwinski not providing much offensively in 2025.

Jebb doesn't have the power the Pirates need, as he didn't hit a single home run in 2025, but he does get on base, with 118 hits in 122 games and 59 walks to 56 strikeouts.

He had great months of hitting like August, where he batted .326, May, where he .297, and April, where he hit .284, but also months where he struggled like June, where he hit .190, and September, where he hit just .206.

Jebb will have to show improvements at Triple-A, but if he does so, the Pirates should look at bringing him up at some point next season.