Pirates prospect watch: Mitch Jebb acclimating well at the plate in 1st year at Double-A

Prospect Watch

Mitch Jebb

Position: CF/2B

Height: 6-foot

Weight: 185 pounds

Level: Double-A Altoona

If this edition of Prospect Watch was being written a year ago, Mitch Jebb’s positional details would read differently.

Center field being Jebb’s primary position is a new development for the 22-year-old, a second-round (No. 43 overall) draft pick in 2023 by the Pittsburgh Pirates out of Michigan State.

Throughout college, as well as in 2024 at Low-A Bradenton and High-A Greensboro, Jebb was primarily a middle infielder, with shortstop being his defensive bread and butter.

However, by the end of last season, Jebb had seen 10 games and 88 innings in center field with the Grasshoppers.

As Jebb, the Pirates’ No. 13 overall prospect per MLB Pipeline, has gotten underway with the Curve in 2025, center field has emerged as his new position of emphasis.

Through Thursday, Jebb has played 12 games in center, as well as six at second base. Through 106 innings in the outfield, Jebb has yet to commit an error.

It’s too early to speculate how Jebb will continue to adjust to life as an outfielder.

However, offensively, Jebb has produced encouraging results 19 games into his time at Double-A, as he is slashing .284/.402/.313 with two doubles and four RBIs.

Jebb has yet to hit a homer, with 17 of his 19 hits being singles, but he has walked (14) more than he has struck out (11).

Finding a way to get on base has been a strength for Jebb, who ranks seventh in the Eastern League in on-base percentage in walks.

Oftentimes, as players climb the ladder and get acclimated to a tougher environment and more fierce competition, some sort of dropoff can be expected.

But Jebb’s body of work this season is stronger than what he managed in 2024 at Greensboro, as he slashed .253/.341/.355 with six homers and 42 RBIs over 113 games at the High-A level.