Pittsburgh Pirates Minor League Check In: The Greensboro Grasshoppers

Major League Baseball is not the only baseball that has arrived in 2024. Minor league baseball has kicked off its campaign and Draft Nation will take a look at each affiliate in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization. Today, the Greensboro Grasshoppers are on deck, the Pirates high-A team that plays as part of the South Atlantic League. More information on each of these prospects can be found in the 2024 Pittsburgh Pirates Minor League Guide.

Pitchers

Julian Bosnic- L/L- 14th round pick (2022)

Jack Carey- R/R- 11th round pick (2021)

Jaycob Deese- R/R- 17th round pick (2022)

Derek Diamond- R/R- 6th round pick (2022)

Adrian Florencio- R/R- FA signing (2019)

Darvin Garcia- R/R- FA signing (2019)

Ryan Harbin- R/R- 17th round pick (2019)

Thomas Harrington- R/R- CB-A (36th overall- 2022)  #12 prospect

Will Kobos- R/R- 19th round pick (2018)

Joshua Loeschorn- L/R- 20th round pick (2022)

J.P. Massey- R/R- 7th round pick (2022)  #43 prospect

Cy Nielson- R/L- 8th round pick (2022)

Yunior Thibo- R/R- FA Signing (2019) 

Catchers

Nick Cimillo- R/R- 16th round pick (2022)

Shawn Ross- R/R- Signed as a non-drafted FA (2022)

Infielders

3B- Jack Brannigan- R/R- 3rd round pick (2022)  #19 prospect

SS- Maikol Escotto- R/R- FA signing (2018)  

2B- Termarr Johnson- L/R- 1st round pick (4th overall- 2022) #2 prospect

SS- Kervin Pichardo- R/R- Signed as a non-drafted FA (2019)

1B- Josiah Sightler- L/L- 15th round pick (2022)  #45 prospect

Outfielders

Luke Brown- L/R- 9th round pick (2021)

Hudson Head- L/L- 3rd round pick (2019)

Sammy Siani- L/L- CB-A (37th overall- 2019)

What to Look For

The Greensboro Grasshoppers may not have as many prospects as their counterpart in Bradenton does but they have some high end talent that is worth the price of admission. Termarr Johnson, a former #1 draft pick who is still only 19 years old, is a left-handed second baseman who hits balls hard. Draft Nation got to see Johnson in spring training and the ball sounds different when it leaves his bat. He started slow with injuries in 2023 and came on in the second half, finishing the season with a .244 average and 18 homers. Johnson could see a promotion to Altoona by mid-season.

Third baseman Jack Brannigan and first baseman Josiah Sightler are two more top-50 prospects to keep an eye on. Brannigan is a versatile prospect who has shown speed and power in his limited pro debut. Last season he combined for 19 homers between Bradenton and Greensboro while stealing 24 bases. Sightler is at a position of weakness in the organization but will need to make some strides quickly as he will turn 25 at the end of this season.

Thomas Harrington is a name that the average Pirates fan may not know. Draft Nation believes however that by the end of 2024 he will be a player that could land in the top 5 of Pirate prospects. Harrington has a 4-pitch arsenal that generates a lot of swing and miss. His fastball sits around 93 mph on average but has been clocked as high as 96 mph. He made the jump in 2023 from Bradenton to Greensboro and competed from the onset. He struck out 106 hitters in 88.1 at Greensboro after being promoted. It is only a matter of time until we see Harrington in AA Altoona.

The Grasshoppers will be an intriguing team to watch all year with Johnson and Harrington in the binoculars of scouts in particular and of course 17 top-50 prospects down at Bradenton chopping at the bit for a promotion. By the end of the season, this team could be littered with top-50 Pirates prospects looking to make a name for themselves in 2025.