Recapping a Wave of Pirates Prospects Transactions
The Pirates promoted 12 players across their minor league system over the last two days.
The Pirates had some serious roster shuffling going on in the minor leagues on Tuesday, and some more moves on Wednesday. Over the last two days, they’ve promoted 12 players up a level, while announcing five injury updates.
The most significant move in the system came on Wednesday, when Oneil Cruz was placed on the 10-day IL with non-displaced fractures of the fourth and fifth metacarpals in his left hand. Billy Cook was promoted to take his spot on the active roster.
Rafael Flores was also promoted to the Majors temporarily, with Henry Davis going on the paternity list. In other big league catcher news, Joey Bart was sent to Bradenton on Wednesday to start a rehab assignment.
Carson Fulmer was also traded to the Seattle Mariners for cash.
The Pirates went on to win 9-8 in dramatic comeback fashion on Wednesday, capped off by home runs from Tyler Callihan and a massive bat flip from Spencer Horwitz.
Below is the breakdown of all of the promotions and injury updates throughout the minor league system this week. You can catch the latest moves on the Transactions page at PiratesProspects.com.
Promoted to Indianapolis
Derek Berg, C - What’s interesting about Berg is that he’s posted the best numbers of his career in Double-A. In 175 plate appearances across the last two seasons, he’s combined to hit .299/.371/.481 with six home runs. The home runs all came this season. It’s unclear right now whether Berg’s promotion is temporary or permanent. The Pirates placed Henry Davis on the paternity list on Wednesday, and called up Rafael Flores from Triple-A. This left Indianapolis short a catcher. Berg made his Triple-A debut on Wednesday afternoon, going 0-for-4 with a run scored.
Khristian Curtis, RHP - He’s got one of the most electric arms in the system, but hasn’t translated that to results. Curtis had a 4.73 ERA in 53.1 innings with Altoona, striking out 67 and walking 25. I’m looking forward to him playing in a league that has Statcast metrics, to track where his fastball is sitting during competition. The Pirates need bullpen help, and it would be a smart move to start moving Curtis to the bullpen, giving him an easier and quicker path to the Majors in the process.
Keiner Delgado, INF - The Pirates added Delgado in 2024 when they traded JT Brubaker to the Yankees. He’s hit mostly around .240 with the Pirates’ affiliates since the trade, but shows a good ability to get on base, along with speed that has led to 59 stolen bases since the start of the 2024 season. He already added his first steal with Indianapolis on Wednesday afternoon, going 1-for-4 with a walk while batting second in the order.
Derek Diamond, RHP - After injuries shortened his playing time over the last season, Diamond made the move to Altoona this year, where he also completed his full-time move to the bullpen. A struggling starter as recently as 2024, the move to the bullpen has completely changed the outlook for the 2022 6th rounder. Diamond didn’t allow a run in ten innings with Altoona, striking out 40.6% of batters, and walking none. He had an .063 average against. If you’re looking for a sleeper who could help the Pirates’ bullpen this season, he’s going to be a fun guy to watch in Triple-A.
Jaden Woods, LHP - Spending his third season in Altoona, Wood finally took a step forward this year. He posted a 3.16 ERA in 25.2 innings, which was led by an increase in his strikeout rate to 36.5%. That was the best mark of his career since his pro debut in A-ball in 2023. Woods has shown some control problems, but he’s a difficult lefty to hit, and the new strikeout ability could help overcome the control. He had a rough start in his debut with Indianapolis on Tuesday night, and based on his history, it might take him some time to get adjusted to the new level.
Promoted to Altoona
Carlos Caro, INF - Caro has been an impressive hitter for most of his career. He had a setback last season in A-ball, but he’s been a .300 hitter with a high OBP and some pop in his bat for most of his minor league career. The 21-year-old hit .324/.410/.566 in 100 plate appearances this year between both A-ball levels, showing a bounce-back from last season’s .422 OPS in Bradenton. He combined for five homers, which ties his season high from 2023 in the DSL. The jump to Double-A will be the biggest test for his hitting and on-base abilities. Caro went 0-for-1 with three walks in his debut on Wednesday.
Shalin Polanco, OF - The top international signing in 2021, and receiver of one of the largest international bonuses in Pirates’ history, Polanco saw his career stall in A-ball the last four seasons. He didn’t exactly hit his way to Altoona, batting .204/.285/.377 in Greensboro. That was similar to his 2025 season at the same level. He did hit 19 homers combined the last two seasons, but power is often discounted in Greensboro. The Pirates are giving Polanco a challenge with the move to Double-A. Polanco went 0-for-4 with two strikeouts on Wednesday in his debut.
Connor Oliver, LHP - Returning to Greensboro for a second season, the 24-year-old Oliver took a huge step forward. In 43.2 innings, the lefty had a 2.27 ERA and a 29.2% strikeout rate. His ERA ranks second in the minor league system among qualified relievers, and he has the fourth most strikeouts. Walks have been an issue in his career, but his stuff looks more electric, and he’s cut down on home runs. With all of the promotions from Altoona to Indianapolis, Oliver should find plenty of innings in Double-A, even if he spends time working out of the bullpen.
Promoted to Greensboro
Dylan Palmer, 2B - Taken in the 11th round last season, Palmer leads the entire Pirates’ organization with 27 stolen bases. He was batting .272/.362/.344 in 215 plate appearances with Bradenton before the promotion, showing good contact and plate patience to go with the elite base running abilities.
Josh Tate, OF - The eighth round pick in 2025 already got off to a good start in Greensboro. In his first game on Tuesday night, Tate hit a two-run homer. In his second game on Wednesday, he hit another homer. That gives him four on the season. He hit .283/.360/.358 in 214 plate appearances with Bradenton this year. Power wasn’t part of his game, but he showed good hitting ability and plate patience in the start of his first full season.
Promoted to Bradenton
Bralyn Brazoban, OF - He’s one of the more interesting players in the lower levels in my book. Brazoban was the top international signing in 2024, but has seen a slow start to his career in rookie ball the last two seasons. That changed this year, when he hit .300/.383/.571 in the FCL. The most encouraging thing was a boost in power, with his first two home runs, and six triples. He got off to a good start in Bradenton on Tuesday night, going 2-for-4 in his debut. The Pirates have moved guys up from the FCL to A-ball for temporary looks, but Brazoban did enough in rookie ball to earn a longer promotion.
Fredderick Ovalle, 2B - Ovalle was promoted to Bradenton for two games earlier this season, then returned to the FCL for six more games. His .345 average in the FCL this season gives him the highest average in the minor league system out of qualified hitters. He went 8-for-19 in his brief return to the FCL, after going 3-for-6 in his two games with Bradenton. The 2025 international free agent is an example of a player who only got a brief look in his promotion to Bradenton, and he’s another example of a player who deserves a longer look at the higher level.
Injury Updates
Jack Brannigan, INF - After playing two games in the FCL, Brannigan had his rehab assignment moved up to Bradenton. The left-side infielder has been limited due to injuries the last two seasons, with only 341 plate appearances at the Double-A level combined. He’s on the 40-man roster, and needs development time with his bat at the higher levels. It’s a good sign that he’s getting closer to a return to Altoona. Brannigan got the start at shortstop on Wednesday, but the game was suspended in the fourth inning.
Jesus Castillo, INF - The Pirates moved Castillo’s rehab assignment to Greensboro, after he spent three games in the FCL. He’s missed a little over a month in Altoona, and that comes after hitting .303/.361/.439 to start the season. Those are the best numbers he’s had since rookie ball in 2022. It will be good to see him getting back to Double-A, to show if he can continue those results in a larger sample. Castillo went 2-for-4 with a double, batting leadoff and playing centerfield for Greensboro on Wednesday night.
Jared Jones, 1B - He hit three home runs last week, bringing his total to ten on the season. With a .322/.429/.525 line in Greensboro, the 2025 ninth rounder was looking like a promotion candidate. Instead, Jones went on the injured list.
Axiel Plaz, C - The Pirates activated Plaz from the injured list on Wednesday after he had missed a lot of time over the last two weeks. Prior to the injury, he was hitting .340/.405/.582 with eight home runs. The power isn’t new, bit this is the best Plaz has hit since his monster numbers in the DSL. He was looking like one of the biggest breakout prospects in the lower levels before he went down, so his return is great to see. Plaz went 0-for-1 with a walk, before being removed for Camden Janik.
Sammy Stafura, SS - Drafted by the Reds in the 2nd round of the 2023 draft, the Pirates got Stafura when they traded Ke’Bryan Hayes. He’s been limited to 108 plate appearances this season, due to an injury suffered in early May. After a few weeks of rehab in Bradenton, he’s back with Greensboro, where he was hitting .222/.283/.352 before going down. Stafura went 0-for-2 with a walk in his return.
International Free Agents
The Pirates signed two international free agents over the last two days. Pitcher Chun Hsi Lin was signed yesterday, and according to Francys Romero, his bonus is $350,000. Also according to Romero, the 17-year-old throws 89-92 MPH.
Today, the Pirates signed outfielder Jean Rodriguez, bringing their total international signing group up to 33 players for the 2026 signing period.
Until the next time I go live…
-Tim Williams