Top Pirates Prospect Lost for Season With Shoulder Injury

A tough year for Pittsburgh Pirates prospect Jack Brannigan just got tougher.

The 24-year-old underwent season-ending surgery to repair a torn labrum in his right shoulder, the team confirmed last week as reported by Noah Hiles of the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Brannigan had been on the injured list since mid-June and was officially shut down following further evaluation. The Pirates expect him to fully recover in time for spring training.

It is the latest setback for the third-round pick out of Notre Dame, whose 2024 campaign never found consistent footing. After a promising stretch in 2023, when Brannigan nearly posted a 20/20 season despite a quad injury, he entered this year trying to fine-tune his offensive approach. He made clear adjustments — lowering his attack angle and improving his strikeout rate — but the power he flashed previously did not fully carry over.

In 237 plate appearances at Double-A Altoona, Brannigan hit .225 with a .329 OBP and five home runs. His raw tools still drew interest. The Pirates liked his versatility enough to try him at shortstop, and his 12 steals in 15 attempts underscored the athleticism that has long been part of his profile.

But the shoulder injury now pauses that development. It is not Brannigan’s first lost time either — earlier this summer, he also missed a short stint with an undisclosed ailment.

Originally drafted as an infielder-only player despite two-way experience at Notre Dame, Brannigan’s arm strength and defensive instincts remain a plus. He is still ranked among the Pirates’ top 15 prospects, and the hope is that his bat-to-ball gains remain intact post-surgery.

For now, the focus shifts to rehab and salvaging the momentum he worked hard to build in a year filled with stops and starts.

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