This is one in a series of stories breaking down PBN’s Top 30 Pirates prospects.
The Pirates don’t have great starting rotation depth as evident by the fact that they ended the season with three full-time starting pitchers. While the lack of depth will likely be addressed in the offseason, they have a prospect who should be able to provide even more in 2027.
Connor Wietgrefe had a strong season split between Double-A Altoona and Triple-A Indianapolis. While with Altoona, the left-hander went 4-1 with a 3.51 ERA in 14 starts/13 appearances. With Indianapolis, he went 6-5 with a 3.08 ERA in 15 starts.
Wietgrefe combined to log 151.1 innings between the two levels. He walked 52 batters, struck out 134 and held opponents to a .232 batting average.
Wietgrefe’s efforts were recognized by winning the Eastern League Pitcher of the Month for June. He also won International League Pitcher of the Week for the third week in September. Among Pirates’ minor-league starters, the 24-year-old was tied for first with 10 wins and finished second in strikeouts and ERA (3.27).
The Pirates drafted Wietgrefe from the University of Minnesota in the seventh round in 2024. He pitched to a 0.90 ERA in his first five appearances with Low-A Bradenton that same year. Last season, Wietgrefe went 6-4 with a 3.10 ERA in 26 starts between Bradenton, High-A Greensboro and Altoona.
Wietgrefe isn’t overpowering. His fastball sits in the low-90s. But he has a deep arsenal that also includes a slider, sweeper, changeup and cutter.
As the Pirates plan for 2027, they should be counting on Wietgrefe as a depth option when a starter is needed. Not only has he been effective, but the Pirates lacked a left-handed starting pitching option all season. Mason Montgomery, who was used as an opener five times, was the only southpaw to start a game for Pittsburgh this year.
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