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.

Omar Alfonzo:

Alfonzo was signed by the Pirates as an International Free Agent in 2019, though did not make his pro debut until 2021. Strong seasons in 2023 and 2024 got Alfonso onto the Pirates Top 30 prospect list midway through 2024 on Pipeline.

Alfonzo currently rates as a backup level player, with a average hit tool, fielding and arm. His power and running both rate well below average for a player. However, his ability to get deep into counts and draw walks are a huge positive that have been noted by scouts. He has also been noted as a player that does not chase pitches and is able to pick up the ball well. His biggest positive is the way he handles a pitching staff, which comes in part to his father Eliezer Alfonzo who was an MLB catcher playing parts of six years on four different MLB teams. Scouts rate him as a solid to average defender, stating he has good hands and a strong enough throw to keep would be base stealers honest.

In 2024 Alfonzo started the season in low A Bradenton before having a later season promotion to high A Greensboro. In Bradenton he hit .253/.353/.388 with a .741 OPS, a .335 BABIP and a 115 wRC+. This was over the span of 86 games and 354 plate appearances, he has since played 11 games in Greensboro with 44 PA. While the numbers have not been as good so far after the promotion they have not been terrible either. The thing that stands out the most on the season is the increase in his power production. In the first three season Alfonzo played across the DSL, CPX and half a season in Bradenton he hit 14 doubles and 8 home runs. In his 86 games in Bradenton this year he hit 15 doubles and 8 home runs. This increase in power is what helped him become more well known across the fanbase. If he is able ton continue to build upon that power profile in addition to the tools he already has it could go a long way to solidify him as more of a prospect within the system.

Alfonzo is already Rule 5 eligible, however he remains, currently, in no risk of being selected. This is due to the fact he is still 3 or 4 years away, potentially, from seeing any time in the majors. He has MLB pedigree and is a student of the game. However, for him to get to the majors he will need to repeat his performance from this season again in 2025. If he is able to do that then he will begin to force his way into the conversation of which Pirates prospects to keep a careful eye on.