Who will be the next Steve Pearce?

Pittsburgh Pirates fans just watched another former Pirate excel on the big stage. Who will they see next?

Pittsburgh Pirates fans are very likely sick of seeing their former players go elsewhere and thrive, especially on a stage as big as the World Series. As I’m sure you’ve heard by now, the latest example is 2018 World Series MVP Steve Pearce.

Pearce joins Charlie Morton, who closed out the 2017 Series, as recent examples of former Pittsburgh Pirates finding success elsewhere after not quite clicking for Pittsburgh. Whether the player in question fizzled as a Pirates prospect, or had middling returns with the big league club (such as Pearce or Jose Bautista), the sting that fans feel watching these players go on to do big things elsewhere is just as hurtful.

So who will be next?

Recent developments point to Austin Meadows and Tyler Glasnow as being prime candidates. Whether it happens in Tampa Bay or elsewhere, the talent is inherent in both of these young players. Perhaps these two aren’t perfect examples, as the Pittsburgh Pirates realized what they were giving up when they chose to flip their talents for Chris Archer.

Reese McGuire — famously part of the trade to rid the club of Francisco Liriano — showed a bit of promise in 31 PAs with the Toronto Blue Jays last season. After faltering a bit at Triple-A in 2018, McGuire could add insult to injury if he goes on to have a stellar career.

Looking ahead a bit, would anyone be surprised if the Pittsburgh Pirates were to ship off Ivan Nova, be it before the 2018 season or at the trade deadline, and he repeats what he did when he originally came to Pittsburgh after sliding back towards mediocrity? I certainly would not.

Got any others? Let us know in the comments!