There was recently some action among the Pirates' top 30 prospects during the All-Star break. Before networks with rankings begin to make significant changes following the MLB Draft, MLB Pipeline switched up the Pirates' top 30 prospects anyway. The most notable change in Pittsburgh's group, besides Esmerlyn Valdez moving up to 15th, was Darell Morel, a 17-year-old shortstop, climbing into the 16th spot after starting the season unranked.
Morel has an interesting signing story with the Pirates, as he originally intended to have a deal with the Dodgers. As Los Angeles pursued Roki Sasaki, they had to let some of their agreements go to afford the star right-hander from Japan, leaving it to the Pirates to swoop in and sign the young slugger from the Dominican Republic.