The Pirates keep adding shortstops, and Johan De Los Santos just made the logjam a little more interesting.
Pittsburgh named the 18-year-old its Rookie-Level Player of the Year after a strong 2026 season that covered 52 games between the Florida Complex League and Low-A Bradenton. He hit .270, swiped 39 bases and showed a disciplined eye at the plate with 27 walks against 24 strikeouts.
That performance has already pushed De Los Santos up to No. 11 in MLB Pipeline’s organizational prospect rankings. He also moved ahead of his older brother, Yordany De Los Santos, who sits at No. 14.
For a club that has spent years trying to turn its farm system into a reliable source of offense, that kind of rise is a welcome sign. But it also adds another name to a growing list of young infielders who all seem to be aiming at the same position.
Konnor Griffin already looks like Pittsburgh’s shortstop of the future. The former first-round pick reached the majors in 2026, and his blend of athleticism, offensive upside and defensive talent has made him one of the organization’s most important long-term pieces.
Wyatt Sanford is in the mix too. Pittsburgh’s No. 5 prospect has continued developing into an intriguing offensive presence while turning heads in the Arizona Fall League.
Then there’s Aiden Ruiz, the Pirates’ No. 6 prospect, who remains part of the pipeline as well. Put them together with De Los Santos, and the organization suddenly has a deep collection of young talent at one of the game’s most valuable defensive spots.
What makes De Los Santos especially interesting is that his game isn’t limited to the bat. In an interview with MLB.com, Pirates director of coaching and player development Michael Chernow praised the teenager’s baseball instincts, defensive awareness and baserunning ability. That kind of skill set could help him fit somewhere even if shortstop is already spoken for.
At the same time, there’s no need to force a depth-chart drama around an 18-year-old who has only played 21 games at Low-A. De Los Santos is still years away from Pittsburgh, and a lot can change before then.
Even so, his rise points to a bigger issue for general manager Ben Cherington: building a strong farm system is only the first step. The real test comes later, when all those prospects need a place to play.
Some of these shortstops may wind up at second or third base. Others could become trade pieces that help Pittsburgh patch holes elsewhere without touching the core of its young talent.
Neither path would be a failure. In fact, having too many good options is exactly the kind of problem a healthy system is supposed to create. The danger comes if the organization can’t turn that prospect depth into a clear major league plan.
De Los Santos still has plenty of development ahead of him, and his ceiling will need time to reveal itself. But his award serves as another reminder that the Pirates’ future isn’t just about finding talent.
It’s about figuring out where all of it fits.
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