On this edition of the Pirates’ prospect update series, we take a look at one of the new faces in Pittsburgh’s farm system, shortstop Sammy Stafura.
Stafura was acquired in the Ke’Bryan Hayes trade that
saw Pittsburgh’s third baseman swap the black and yellow for red white, as he landed in Cincinnati at the trade deadline. Stafura was brought in to Low-A Bradenton before being quickly promoted to High-A Greensboro just six days after joining the Marauders.
Drafted in the second round of the 2023 draft by Cincinnati, Stafura was picked straight from Walter Panas High School in New York. Stafura was the number one ranked high school prospect in the state of New York as well as the 21st ranked prospect nationally and the number 10 ranked shortstop.
Stafura initially struggled when he made his pro debut in the Arizona Complex League, but then became one of the better prospects in the Red’s system. The 20-year old shortstop would make it to low-a Daytona in May of 2024, where he started to show some real signs as to what kind of player he’ll be at the major league level. He stole 27 bases at that level in 2024 while also tallying 74 hits and a .753 OPS.
More of the same would occur with Daytona in 2025, finishing up his time there with a line of .261/.392/.410 with 28 steals, 63 walks, 84 hits, and 132 total bases. Stafura would struggle in his limited time with high-a Greensboro to end the season, hitting just .162 but still drawing 10 walks and generating 12 RBIs in 26 contests.
With a high drive, work ethic, and ample athleticism, there is a lot that Stafura can accomplish in his development and has all the tools to stick it out at shortstop moving forward.
Stafura has a major league ETA of 2027 and is the seventh-ranked Pirates’ prospect.
