North Shore Nine

Welcome to the weekly Scouting Prospects; The Top 30 series. Each week we will take a look at a different one of the Pirates Top 30 prospects, with a few bonus “double drop” weeks. The format of these articles will highlight and discuss the following.

• Scouting Score
• Performance
• Expectations
• Projected Debut
  
  When it comes to scouting grades, the scale used is 20-80. So, a 20-30 grade would be considered well below average. A 40 is below average, 50 is average, 60 is above average (Also called Plus) and 70-80 is well above average (or Plus Plus). For prospects the overall grade is where scouts expect the player to perform once in the majors. For example, a 65 grade would be an All-Star caliber standout player, whereas a 50 would be an everyday player and a 40 would be a bench player.

Hunter Barco:

Barco was drafted in 2022 in the 2nd round 44th overall to the Pirates. He had a chance to be drafted in 2019 but his strong commitment to the University of Florida allowed him to go undrafted. ’22 was the year the Pirates took Termarr Johnson in the 1st, Thomas Harrington with their CBA pick as well as Jack Brannigan and Michael Kennedy. These five players make up 38% of the Pirates top 13 prospects. In 2024 Barco currently ranks as the Pirates 12th best prospect and he is on the rise.

Barco has an average fastball, a plus slider and an above average changeup. His fastball sits in the low 90’s but it has a lot of sink. The slider sits in the low 80’s that cuts in hard versus left-handed hitters, his changeup ranks very high with its play as well. Barco’s pitches play with a lot of deception due to a lower arm slot and his cross-body delivery method. Due to the Tommy John surgery, he had the year he was drafted he did not debut with the Pirates until 2023. He has bounced back from the surgery very well in 2024 being his first full season since the procedure.

Barco began the 2024 campaign in high A Bradenton where he pitched very well. He compiled a 4-1 record with a 3.34 ERA striking out 77 and walking 22 over 62 innings. He had a 1.097 WHIP a 3.56 FIP and a .204 average against. To add to his already impressive numbers he had a 11.18 K/9 and a 3.18 BB/9. These number lead to a call up to AA in July. In his one start in AA so far, he has thrown three innings giving up one hit and striking out five with no walks. His number have been very good and it will be important to see how he continues to pitch in AA the rest of the season. He is rising as a prospect in the Pirates system and will continue to do so, especially if he continues to pitch as he has been.

With the recent jump to AA it could be a little bit before Barco makes his way to the Majors. This is considering a few factors, including who is ahead of him, his injury limitations and age. If he pitches well the rest of the year in Altoona, he should start their next year as well with the potential to move to AAA Indianapolis at some point in 2025. If that goes well then, a 2026 or 2027 MLB debut could be in order. He shows the skills and make up to be a good starter, and that for the moment is the track he is on. However, it is possible with a full rotation in 2026-27 he could see some time as a bullpen arm instead or be used as a trade chip. Regardless, he is a very exciting pitcher to watch and could be a player that rises through the system, and the top prospect list, very quickly.