Password Could Eventually Work But Pirates Need Immediate Help

The Password to the Pittsburgh Pirates' future success might be Jhostynxon Garcia.

The 22-year-old outfielder, acquired as part of a five-player trade with the Boston Red Sox on Tuesday night, is an interesting young hitter. Baseball America ranked Garcia as the Red Sox's sixth-best prospect and 76th in the sport.

Garcia might have a bright future, but it won't necessarily be in the major leagues at the start of next season. While Garcia made his MLB debut with the Red Sox on Aug. 22 and played in five games, scouts say he probably needs more development time in the minor leagues.

Garcia got the nickname "The Password" because of his unusual first name.

What the Pirates need more than a prospect, though, is a proven major-league hitter, more like a couple of them. The Pirates finished last in MLB in runs scored, home runs, and OPS this year. Thus, they finished in last place in the National League Central despite having the seventh-best ERA in the big leagues.

A Pirates source said Garcia won't be the biggest outfield acquisition of the offseason. That means the Pirates either have another trade lined up or a free agent they feel can sign. The hope for the fans is that the Pirates have a bigger outfield transaction in mind than last winter when they signed free agent Tommy Pham to a one-year, $4,025,000 contract.

For now, though, Garcia is the first significant offseason acquisition for the Pirates, and he could turn into an above-average major-league player.

Garcia's best tool is his power, as his 21 home runs between Triple-A Worcester and Double-A Portland this year topped all Red Sox minor-leaguer players for a second straight season, and his exit velocity maxed out at 113 mph. He belted 23 longballs in 2024 at three levels of the farm system.

Like many of the Pirates' hitters, Garcia is prone to strikeouts. He whiffed five times in nine appearances in a tiny MLB sample size and has 379 strikeouts in 1,552 trips to the plate in five minor-league seasons.

Garcia is considered a good baserunner despite having average speed and stealing just 42 bases in 370 games in the minors. He rates as above average defensively with a good arm in right field and at least adequate range in center field. Garcia also plays with a bit of flair, including catching many fly balls at his hip and having long, flowing hair.

Yet Garcia is still just a prospect. Time will tell if he becomes a good big-league player.

However, the Pirates don't have time to develop in 2026 if they are serious about contending.