ESPN updates Pirates top prospect list for May

BRADENTON, FL - MARCH 20: Seth Hernandez #25 of the Pittsburgh Pirates pitches during the game between the Detroit Tigers and the Pittsburgh Pirates at LECOM Park on Friday, March 20, 2026 in Bradenton, Florida. (Photo by Julio Aguilar/MLB Photos via Getty Images) | MLB Photos via Getty Images ESPN’s updated list of the Pittsburgh Pirates’ top prospects shows a lot of movement within the organization’s top ten. The very top of the list remains unchanged, as Konnor Griffin maintains his status as the top Pirates’ prospect and the top prospect in baseball.

Griffin is on pace to graduate from prospect status as he continues to grow in his Major League career, but for the time being he’s the top dog for Pittsburgh. First-year pitcher Seth Hernandez was previously ranked third for the Pirates but his dominant start to his career has him ranked as the second best prospect on ESPN’s updated list. So far this year the 19-year-old righty has a 2-0 record with a 1.

23 ERA across five starts. Hernandez is coming off a week where he was named the FSL Pitcher of the Week and his most recent outing saw him strike out nine batters. Moving up the list from four to three is Edward Florentino who is off to a hot start with High-A Greensboro this season.

At just 19-years-old, the Dominican product is already in his third season of Minor League baseball and is excelling at a fast pace. Wyatt Sanford (4), Hunter Barco (5) and Esmerlyn Valdez (6) also found themselves moving up the most recent rankings. Barco is on the verge of working his way off this list as he’s made it to the majors and is looking better in recent outings.