Pirates Announce 2023 Organization All-Stars
The Pittsburgh Pirates have announced their 2023 Organization All-Stars, recognizing the top performers in their farm system. Each offseason, MiLB.com goes position by position across each organization to honor the players who had the best seasons, regardless of age or prospect status.
Leading the way for the Pirates is catcher Endy Rodríguez. Rodríguez took over as the primary backstop in Pittsburgh after making his debut in July. Although he didn’t replicate his breakout 2022 campaign in the minors, the 23-year-old showed promise and earned the chance to be the club’s long-term solution at catcher.
First baseman Miguel Andujar had an impressive season in Triple-A, batting .338 with 16 home runs and 86 RBIs. Andujar’s productive season earned him a claim off waivers by the A’s, where he will have a better shot at more big league at-bats.
Termarr Johnson, the Pirates’ second-ranked prospect, had a strong season at second base. Johnson displayed elite patience at the plate, posting the highest walk rate among the Minors’ full-season qualifiers. He also showed unexpected power, finishing fifth in the system in home runs.
Nick Gonzales, the Pirates’ third baseman, stayed healthy and earned his first big league promotion in June. Gonzales impressed with his ability to swing at good pitches and finished his Triple-A season with a .315 batting average, 24 extra-base hits, and 22 RBIs in his final 42 games.
Jack Brannigan, the Pirates’ shortstop, had a standout season while learning three different infield positions. Brannigan led the organization’s full-season qualifiers with a 146 wRC+ and was one of only three Pittsburgh prospects with at least 19 home runs and 20 stolen bases.
In the outfield, Jase Bowen and Tres Gonzalez stood out. Bowen showcased his 20-20 potential, hitting 23 home runs and driving in 95 RBIs. Gonzalez, a 2022 fifth-rounder, had a consistent first full season, finishing with a .289 average, 28 stolen bases, and an OBP north of .399.
Juan Machado, a 20-year-old outfielder, displayed impressive strike zone discipline in the Dominican Summer League. Machado had the fourth-highest walk rate among all Minor Leaguers with at least 170 plate appearances and led all qualified Pirates prospects in OBP and wRC+.
On the pitching side, right-hander Jared Jones led the system in total strikeouts and had the highest K/9 among all Pirates’ qualifiers. Jones showcased his developing curveball and changeup and remained steady in Indianapolis despite the challenging environment for pitchers at Triple-A.
Left-hander Anthony Solometo attacked hitters with his unique delivery and tall frame. Solometo posted a 3.26 ERA and had a solid season in A+ and AA, showcasing his potential as a promising pitching prospect.
Overall, the Pirates’ 2023 Organization All-Stars represent the top performers in their farm system and provide hope for the future of the organization. With talented players at various positions and promising pitchers, the Pirates are building a strong foundation for success in the coming years.batting average in the DSL Pirates Gold and led the team in on-base percentage and stolen bases. His ability to get on base and create scoring opportunities made him a valuable asset for the team. Despite not hitting for much power, Machado’s speed and ability to steal bases made him a threat on the basepaths. His performance in the DSL earned him recognition as one of the Pirates’ top outfield prospects.
Overall, the Pittsburgh Pirates had a solid season in their farm system in 2023. While their Triple-A and Double-A teams had losing records, their High-A and Single-A teams performed well, finishing with winning records. The organization’s overall record of 371-330 ranked them 6th among all MLB organizations.
Several players stood out and had impressive seasons, earning them a spot on the Pirates’ 2023 Organization All-Stars. Catcher Endy Rodríguez, despite not replicating his breakout 2022 season in the minors, showed promise and earned the opportunity to be the club’s long-term solution at catcher. First baseman Miguel Andujar had a productive season in Triple-A, leading the team in batting average and slugging percentage. Second baseman Termarr Johnson displayed elite patience at the plate and showed unexpected power, finishing fifth in the system in home runs. Third baseman Nick Gonzales stayed healthy and earned his first big league promotion, impressing with his ability to swing at good pitches. Shortstop Jack Brannigan was named the Pirates’ Hitting Prospect of the Year and showed versatility by playing three different infield positions. Outfielders Jase Bowen and Tres Gonzalez both had strong seasons, with Bowen showcasing his power and speed and Gonzalez displaying consistency and a strong ability to get on base. Outfielder Juan Machado stood out in the Dominican Summer League with his impressive strike zone discipline and ability to get on base.
Overall, the Pirates’ farm system showed promise in 2023, with several players making significant strides in their development. These players will be ones to watch as they continue to progress through the organization and potentially make an impact at the major league level in the future.