The Pittsburgh Pirates are preparing to cash in as buyers at this year’s trade deadline after building one of baseball’s best minor league systems.
The Pirates, who are now 50-47 and two games behind the last Wild Card slot in the National League, are a dangerous team that, if they improve their mediocre bullpen before the August 3 deadline, could go on a run thanks to their strong offense and starting rotation.
Here are five players who might be on the move as a result of Pittsburgh having to let go of some of its young assets.
Barco has the appearance and feel of a trade chip. In early June, MLB Pipeline ranked him as the third prospect in Pittsburgh’s farm system, while FanGraphs ranked him as the eleventh.
The Pirates have the luxury of possibly parting ways with a few of them in order to land a big fish at the deadline because they aren’t particularly in need of young arms with high promise.
Barco, who was selected in the second round of the 2022 MLB Draft, debuted in the major leagues in 2025 and has pitched 14 2/3 innings for Pittsburgh. However, his 4.91 ERA during 40 1/3 minor league frames this season and his 6.14 ERA throughout that period don’t give much hope either.
However, as the left-hander starts a rehab assignment in the Florida Complex League, a number of teams should show interest in him over the next few weeks due to his unconventional delivery and off-speed stuff, and the Pirates might just comply.
After being traded for Johan Oviedo from the Boston Red Sox, Garcia—dubbed “The Password”—arrived in Pittsburgh this past winter to much excitement.
Garcia, a former Top 100 prospect who participated in the 2025 Futures Game and is regarded by Pipeline as the fourth farmhand in the organization, had a rough time in the majors from May 19 to June 7 this season. His stats for Triple-A Indianapolis (.759 OPS, six home runs) are mediocre at best. He slashed.200/.243/.229 over 35 at-bats.
Garcia has become somewhat more expendable for the Pirates due to the rise of young outfielders like Tyler Callihan and Esmerlyn Valdez, as well as Bryan Reynolds, Jake Mangum, and Oneil Cruz (when healthy). Because of his speed, raw power, and rocket arm, he could theoretically be a headliner in a big trade.
Kelly’s big-league readiness and potential as a reliever make him one of the most valuable trade candidates in a system full with fascinating right-handed prospects.
In addition to failing in Triple-A with a 4.85 ERA over 17 appearances (12 starts) totaling 68 2/3 frames, the 22-year-old made his major league debut in June and has a 10.38 ERA over 4 1/3 total innings with the team.
Kelly, who is presently ranked as the Pirates’ No. 7 prospect by Pipeline and No. 19 by FanGraphs, is a flamethrower with a fastball that can reach over 100 mph and is in the upper 90s. He also possesses a cutter and changeup that, with more development, may be out pitches.
His BB/9 rate has decreased from 2.77 to 4.33 and his K/9 rate has decreased from 9.73 in 2025 to 7.08 in the minors this year, but those figures should improve if he spends more time in the bullpen.
Gourson, a ninth-round selection in the 2024 MLB Draft and currently ranked by FanGraphs as the 13th prospect in the organization, has already benefited Pittsburgh’s player development.
In 337 plate appearances for Double-A Altoona this season, the UCLA product is slashing.227/.375/.357 with 29 stolen bases. He has demonstrated remarkable swing decisions with a walk rate of 16.0 percent and a chase rate of 20.14 percent.
Gourson, an athletic infielder with first, second, and third base experience, might be the main attraction in a package that includes a high-caliber back-end reliever, or he could be a supporting player in a more comprehensive transaction.
Rafael Flores Jr., Omar Alfonzo, Axiel Plaz, and Edgleen Perez are just a handful of Pittsburgh’s noteworthy catching prospects.
Carmichael, a 22-year-old who is hitting.307/.352/.523 with 15 home runs and 11 stolen bases in 68 games for High-A Greensboro, is also included in that group.
The 2025 third-round pick will offer more than enough value as a starter or high-level backup behind the plate because of his superb defense, even if he’s a below-average hitter with some pop in the long run despite his minor league numbers suggesting otherwise.
Carmichael’s high floor may result in him being shipped away at the deadline due to a possible high level of requests from sellers throughout the league. Catchers are always in demand.
