North Shore Nine

Welcome to the weekly Scouting Prospects; Undiscovered Treasure series. Each week we will take a look at a different one of the Pirates prospects who fall outside of the Top 30. The format of these articles will highlight and discuss how the player came to the Pirates, how he has been playing and what to expect from them moving forward.

Charles McAdoo:
McAdoo was drafted in the 2023 draft at 377th overall in the 13th rounds out of San Jose State University. Currently he stands at 6’2″ and weights 210 pounds, he plays both corner outfield positions as well as second base, third base and first base. He is known more for his hitting prowess than his glove so far from his play at various levels, including college and summer ball. It appears unlikely he will stick in the infield and is destined for a corner outfield spot if he is to make the majors.
McAdoo is 22 years old going into the 2024 season. He played 28 games in 2023 in single A Bradenton, where he continued to hit. He hit .302/.412/.510 with a .923 OPS in A. He also hit three doubles, a triple, five home runs, walking 17 times and only striking out 22 times. These numbers equated to a 14.9% walk rate and only a 19.3% strikeout rate, as well as a .208 ISO a .348 BABIP and a 151 wRC+. These are phenomenal numbers for a hitter at just about any level. Add to the fact he was at the average age for those in A ball it means he wasn’t an advanced player for that level. Due to this play he moved to high A Greensboro to start the 2025 season. Though 28 games at that level he has nearly the same stat line as what he put up in A. A .301/.378/.524 triple slash with a .903 OPS. He has hit six doubles, one triple, five homeruns, walking 11 times and striking out 24 times. For this year his walk rate went down to 9.2% and his strikeouts went up slightly to 20.2%. His ISO went up to .223, his BABIP remained similar at .342 and his wRC+ went up to 156. For McAdoo to put up near identical number at a higher level after just 28 games in the level before is very encouraging. Again, he is at the average age for high A, but to be playing so well at the plate is unexpected. He sits in the Top 15 in BA and SLG in the league and Top 10 in HR, RBI and OPS. All of this good news brings up the question, what at the expectations for McAdoo moving forward?
It seems unlikely that McAdoo will be promoted to AA Altoona too fast, though it will depend on if the Pirates. If he continues to hit as he has been they may choose to push him and see how he can do in AA. However, it is much more likely as long as all goes well, he starts their next year. This means he could see AAA end of 2025 if not early 2026, which could mean the Pirates will get a very good look at him before the end of 2026 when he would be Rule 5 eligible. It is possible for him to progress through the system quickly, it is also possible his production falls off and he fades away. Regardless, do not be surprised if when Top Prospect lists begin to be updated, if he sneaks into the Pirates Top 30.