The MLB Trade Deadline changed the look of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ farm system, and Sportsvival is updating the Top 10 with one major rule in place: this list is focused on players still viewed as prospects and is not just a stat sheet. Production matters, but future skills matter even more. That means ceiling, tools, position value, age, level, athleticism and long-term fit all play into the rankings.
The biggest change is Sammy Stafura, who was No. 9 in the last Sportsvival update, is no longer on the list because the Pirates traded him to the New York Mets for reliever Luke Weaver. Pittsburgh also added Kirby Yates and Lake Bachar in deadline bullpen moves, while moving multiple minor leaguers in the process.
Updated Top 10
Rank Player Pos. Team/Level 2026 Stats
1 Seth Hernandez RHP Greensboro, High-A 18 G, 74.0 IP, 6-1, 2.43 ERA, 47 H, 20 ER, 31 BB, 118 SO, 1.05 WHIP
2 Murf Gray 3B Altoona, Double-A 423 PA, 358 AB, 75 R, 112 H, 20 2B, 26 HR, 78 RBI, .313 AVG, .408 OBP, .587 SLG, .995 OPS
3 Derek Curiel OF Pirates 2026 Draft Pick No pro stats yet, signed after being selected No. 5 overall
4 Edward Florentino OF/1B Greensboro, High-A 335 PA, 273 AB, 64 R, 62 H, 10 2B, 2 3B, 18 HR, 53 RBI, .227 AVG, .361 OBP, .476 SLG, .837 OPS
5 Wyatt Sanford SS Bradenton/Greensboro, A/High-A 237 PA, 187 AB, 52 R, 51 H, 11 2B, 2 3B, 10 HR, 28 RBI, 21 SB, .273 AVG, .419 OBP, .513 SLG, .932 OPS
6 Termarr Johnson 2B/SS Indianapolis, Triple-A 386 PA, 317 AB, 53 R, 65 H, 13 2B, 1 3B, 8 HR, 36 RBI, 24 SB, .205 AVG, .338 OBP, .328 SLG, .666 OPS
7 Axiel Plaz C Greensboro, High-A 309 PA, 266 AB, 41 R, 80 H, 15 2B, 10 HR, 55 RBI, .301 AVG, .386 OBP, .470 SLG, .856 OPS
8 Easton Carmichael C Bradenton/Greensboro 367 PA, 339 AB, 55 R, 102 H, 14 2B, 2 3B, 18 HR, 68 RBI, 11 SB, .301 AVG, .346 OBP, .513 SLG, .859 OPS
9 Levi Sterling RHP Greensboro, High-A 19 G, 89.0 IP, 4-5, 4.35 ERA, 71 H, 43 ER, 36 BB, 98 SO, 1.20 WHIP
10 Johan De Los Santos SS/IF Bradenton/Greensboro 231 PA, 200 AB, 55 R, 54 H, 3 2B, 5 3B, 3 HR, 19 RBI, 39 SB, .270 AVG, .361 OBP, .380 SLG, .741 OPS
1. Seth Hernandez, RHP
Hernandez stays at No. 1 because this list is about future skills, not just what has happened in the box score. The Pirates’ top pitching prospect has the kind of strikeout stuff that jumps off the page, with 118 strikeouts in 74 innings. Even with his left oblique injury likely cutting into the rest of his 2026 season, the arm talent, size and swing-and-miss ability still make him the highest-ceiling prospect in the system.
2. Murf Gray, 3B
Murf Gray had to move up. There is no way around it. A third baseman hitting .313 with 26 home runs, 78 RBIs and a .995 OPS across three levels is not just having a nice season, he is forcing the organization to take him seriously. The future skill here is right-handed impact power, and if he can stay at third base, his value jumps even more.
3. Derek Curiel, OF
Curiel enters the Sportsvival Top 10 right near the top because of his polish, athleticism and future hit tool. The Pirates selected him No. 5 overall and signed him for $6.2 million, and MLB.com noted he was the first college bat taken in the first round by Pittsburgh since Henry Davis in 2021. He has not built a pro stat line yet, but this ranking is about the player he can become, a center-field type with a mature approach and winning SEC background.
4. Edward Florentino, OF/1B
Florentino’s average is not pretty, but the future skill is still obvious: left-handed power. He has 18 home runs as a teenager in High-A, and that kind of power from the left side keeps him high on the board. The strikeouts are part of the risk, but if the contact continues to improve, Florentino has a chance to become one of the better power bats in the system.
5. Wyatt Sanford, SS
Sanford stays in the top five because he does a little bit of everything. He gets on base, has some pop, can run, and plays a premium position. The .419 OBP and 21 stolen bases show the kind of player he can become, a shortstop who can set the table, create pressure and still run into enough power to hurt pitchers.
6. Termarr Johnson, 2B/SS
Johnson is a tough ranking because the numbers still have not fully clicked, but the future skills keep him in the top 10. He is still getting on base, still stealing bases, and still has the bat speed and plate discipline that made him a first-round talent. At this point, the question is whether he becomes an impact bat or more of a useful upper-level infielder, but the upside is still too good to push him too far down.
7. Axiel Plaz, C
Plaz deserves a spot because catching prospects with this kind of offensive production are valuable. He is hitting .301 with 10 home runs and an .856 OPS, and the position matters here. A young catcher who can hit, control the strike zone enough, and show game power is always going to climb lists quickly.
8. Easton Carmichael, C
Carmichael is another catcher who has made noise with the bat. The production is strong, with 18 home runs, 68 RBIs and an .859 OPS. The future skill is offensive impact from behind the plate, and if the defensive side continues to hold up, he becomes one of the more interesting prospects in the Pirates’ system.
9. Levi Sterling, RHP
Sterling is not ranked here because of ERA alone. He is here because of age, arm talent and projection. Ninety-eight strikeouts in 89 innings shows the stuff can miss bats, and the 1.20 WHIP is a positive sign even with some home run damage mixed in. He still looks like one of the better young starting pitching bets in the system.
10. Johan De Los Santos, SS/IF
De Los Santos grabs the final spot because speed and athleticism matter. Thirty-nine stolen bases with a .361 OBP gives him a real carrying tool, and he is still young enough to dream on more strength coming. He may not have the loudest power profile yet, but the speed, contact ability and middle-infield athleticism make him worth tracking.
Trade Deadline Note: Sammy Stafura
Stafura was No. 9 in the last Sportsvival update, but he is off the Pirates list after being traded to the Mets for Luke Weaver. That is the kind of move that tells you Pittsburgh is trying to win now. They gave up a real infield prospect, but the front office clearly wanted bullpen help for the stretch run.
Final Thoughts
This post-deadline list looks different because the Pirates are in a different spot. Some prospects have reached Pittsburgh, some have been traded, and some have forced their way up the board. Murf Gray is the big riser because the bat has become too loud to ignore. Derek Curiel brings a new first-round ceiling into the system. Seth Hernandez still has the best pure upside, even with the injury. Florentino, Sanford, Plaz and Carmichael give Pittsburgh a group of bats with real future value.
For Sportsvival, the takeaway is simple: the Pirates may have used the deadline to chase the postseason, but there is still a strong next wave coming. This system is no longer just about names on a ranking sheet. It is about power, athleticism, arms, catchers who can hit, and players who could help decide what the next few years of Pirates baseball look like.
If not for sports, how would we survive?