Monday, February 24, 2025, 11:38AM |  35°
MENU
Advertisement
After a slow start to the minor league season, Pirates outfield prospect Hudson Head has made some important adjustments with Low-A Bradenton.
1
MORE

Pirates prospect Hudson Head showing that he’s a quick study

courtesy Pittsburgh Pirates

Pirates prospect Hudson Head showing that he’s a quick study

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — The beginning of the minor league season certainly did not go as planned for Hudson Head, the 20-year-old outfielder the Pirates acquired as one of key pieces of the Joe Musgrove deal.

Playing affiliated ball for the first time, Head had just eight hits in his first 48 at-bats (.167), all singles, and struck out 21 times in 57 plate appearances (37%).

Give the young man this: He's been a quick study. Playing at Low-A Bradenton, Head has found his stroke of late. Over his past eight games heading into Monday's off day, Head was hitting .286 (6 for 21) with two doubles, three home runs, four RBIs and 11 runs scored. His strikeout rate, meanwhile, dropped to 16%.

Advertisement

"I think it’s just a better understanding of what he’s trying to do at the plate," Marauders manager Jonathan Johnston said. "He’s a really good hitter, but he’s been working with our coaches to really understand how to be consistent with it."

Pirates pitcher Miguel Yajure pitches against the Rays Wednesday, March 3, 2021, at Charlotte Sports Park in Port Charlotte.
Jason Mackey
Pirates pitching prospect Miguel Yajure sidelined with right elbow discomfort

To do that, Johnston said they've relied on variable training, which is a fancy way of challenging the left-handed hitter to become more repeatable with his movements, even if things aren't exactly perfect.

Before, Head was getting out of his approach and away from his mechanics when he was forced to adjust to something. Now, he's seemingly learning how to be more comfortable when he's uncomfortable.

As a result, the Pirates' sixth-best prospect according to MLB Pipeline has started to tap into some of his natural power, the above-average bat speed and athleticism that made Head attractive to Pittsburgh in the first place.

Advertisement

One knock against Head prior to this season was that there may be some extra movement to his swing. The recent uptick would indicate at least some of that has been reduced.

"We've challenged him to maintain that consistency with his moves to get in a good position, on-time every time," Johnston said. "That’s what has started to click for him. He’s a longer, leaner kid. Understanding how to control his body when different things are going on around him, I think he’s starting to figure that out a little bit."

Power up

While Mason Martin and Oneil Cruz are two of the more widely known Pirates prospects with power potential, they have a couple other guys who are hitting the ball out of park with regularity.

Pirates starting pitcher Chad Kuhl throws in the third inning against the Royals at Kauffman Stadium on May 31, 2021, in Kansas City, Mo.
Jason Mackey
After another loss, Pirates looking forward to June and the return of Ke’Bryan Hayes

At High-A Greensboro, first baseman Aaron Shackelford is tied for the High-A East League lead in home runs with seven, including three in his last five games.

Meanwhile, Low-A Bradenton second baseman Jase Bowen has surged into second place in the Low-A Southeast League with five homers. Bowen is also hitting .435 with 13 RBIs over his last six games.

But the most raw power might belong to Low-A Bradenton’s Alexander Mojica. Although the third baseman has just three homers, they’ve all been tape-measure, highlight-reel blasts.

Asked about Mojica, Johnston said it's been fun to watch the videos that pop up on social media of the 18-year-old native of Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic absolutely crushing the ball, his power glaringly obvious.

And while Mojica, who’s listed at 6-foot-1, 195 pounds, is still very much a work in progress, he has made a recent adjustment to hitting more spin pitches with power, one that has been encouraging for Johnston and others to see.

"He’s definitely got impact," Johnson said. “We have a young team, and some of the older pitching staffs in the league have been throwing us a lot of spin, more than some of these guys have seen.

"Mojica has seen it a ton. It’s been good to see him adjust. It’s hard to say where the [ceiling] is for him. When he gets it, he gets it."

Johnston isn't wrong about the age thing. The average age of Bradenton's roster is 21.8 years, which falls below the league average of 22.2 years.

‘Hone that skill’

When the Pirates drafted Jared Jones in the second round (No. 44 overall) in 2020, they paid over slot to sign a player who was viewed as a two-way standout, someone who could potentially pitch and hit at the next level.

So far, that has not happened with the Pirates, and there’s been a good reason for it.

“The value on the mound is so great, I think he’s going to hone that skill,” Johnston said. “I’ve never heard an instance of him or a thought about him going to the plate. The pitching has been that good.”

Jones made his pro debut last week (May 26) and struck out six batters over 3 scoreless innings, flashing a fastball that touched 99 mph and a nasty slider. While Jones is certainly athletic, it’s easy to see why the Pirates want him to focus on pitching. He could be really, really good.

“His mentality to me has been super impressive,” Johnston said. “He has a really good mound presence. He’s got a really, really bright future because of that mentality, and he obviously has the stuff, too.”

Around the horn

• Before Monday’s game, the Pirates optioned Nick Mears to Class AAA Indianapolis, opening up an active roster spot for Chad Kuhl.

• Manager Derek Shelton said that Colin Moran (left groin) and Phillip Evans (left hamstring) will begin rehab assignments “in the next one or two days.”

• Ke’Bryan Hayes (left wrist strain) is with the big club and was spotted doing pregame work. Hayes is eligible to come off the 60-day injured list on Thursday.

Jason Mackey: jmackey@post-gazette.com and Twitter @JMackeyPG.

First Published: May 31, 2021, 10:48 p.m.

RELATED
Pirates general manager Ben Cherington talks to reporters, Friday, Jan. 24, 2020, at PNC Park. (Matt Freed/Post-Gazette)
Mike Persak
Pirates mailbag: Should fans be excited for the No. 1 pick or nervous they'll get it wrong?
The Pirates' Starling Marte watches his three-run homer off New York Mets relief pitcher Tyler Bashlor during the seventh inning of a baseball game in Pittsburgh on Aug. 2, 2019.
Jason Mackey
Starling Marte ‘very excited’ for his (delayed) Pittsburgh return Thursday
SHOW COMMENTS (7)  
Join the Conversation
Commenting policy | How to Report Abuse
If you would like your comment to be considered for a published letter to the editor, please send it to letters@post-gazette.com. Letters must be under 250 words and may be edited for length and clarity.
Partners
Advertisement
Protesters gathered at the corner of Murray and Forbes avenues to speak out against the Trump administration's policies on Sunday, Feb. 23, 2025, in Squirrel Hill.
1
news
‘We will fight back’: Hundreds rally in Squirrel Hill in opposition of Trump, Musk and president’s administration
This undated photo provided by the Denver Police Department shows Andrew Duarte who served as a Denver police officer from 2017 to 2022.
2
news
Officer killed in York hospital shootout was PennWest California graduate
Texas wide receiver Matthew Golden catches a pass against Ohio State during the second half of the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal game, Friday, Jan. 10, 2025, in Arlington, Texas.
3
sports
Which positions are strong and weak at NFL combine? And how will Steelers approach this draft?
Texas Rangers starting pitcher Andrew Heaney throws against the Seattle Mariners during the first inning of a baseball game Sunday, Sept. 15, 2024, in Seattle. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)
4
sports
Jason Mackey: Why the Andrew Heaney signing makes sense and what it could mean for the Pirates
Mississippi defensive tackle Walter Nolen (2) reacts after a sack against Wake Fores during the first half of an NCAA college football game in Winston-Salem, N.C., Saturday, Sept. 14, 2024.
5
sports
Steelers NFL draft big board: Best fits on defensive line
After a slow start to the minor league season, Pirates outfield prospect Hudson Head has made some important adjustments with Low-A Bradenton.  (courtesy Pittsburgh Pirates)
courtesy Pittsburgh Pirates
Advertisement
LATEST sports
Advertisement
TOP
Email a Story