Entering his age-19 season, pitcher Levi Sterling looks poised to take an important step forward in 2026. Ranked as the No. 16 prospect in the Pittsburgh Pirates system by MLB Pipeline, the former first-round pick may not carry the same hype as some of the organization’s top names, but his upside is hard to ignore. Sterling brings a projectable 6-foot-5 frame and a legitimate four-pitch mix, giving him the foundation of a future starting pitcher if his development stays on track. He was selected 37th overall in the Competitive Balance Round of the 2024 MLB Draft out of Notre Dame High School in Sherman Oaks, California.
That same draft saw the Pirates select Sterling’s Team USA teammate Konnor Griffin ninth overall, a reminder of the level of talent Sterling competed alongside as an amateur. Notre Dame High has long been known for producing major league talent, with alumni spanning multiple generations. Active players such as Hunter Greene of the Reds and Giancarlo Stanton of the Yankees headline that list, while Jack McDowell and former Pirate shortstop Tim Foli represent earlier eras. Sterling fits that mold as a strong all-around athlete who stood out on more than just the mound.
While at Notre Dame, Sterling was a two-way player, seeing time both as a pitcher and at shortstop. That background mirrors the development path of Bubba Chandler, another athletic arm in the Pirates system. Sterling won a state championship with the Knights during his sophomore year and later committed to play at the University of Texas at Austin. Heading into the 2024 draft, however, there was some uncertainty surrounding his future. Although Sterling had pitched since childhood, he did not focus consistently on the mound until high school. Pittsburgh believed his long-term upside was greater as a pitcher and selected him accordingly, prioritizing projection over polish.
Sterling made his professional debut in 2025, spending most of the season at Pirate City with the FCL Pirates. In 11 appearances, including nine starts, the results were uneven. He posted a 6.54 ERA across 31.2 innings, with command issues leading to an elevated walk rate. Those struggles underscored how raw he remained, but they were not unexpected for a teenager adjusting to professional baseball. Late in the season, Sterling earned a brief promotion to the Bradenton Marauders, where he delivered a promising performance—2.1 scoreless innings in relief with four strikeouts. While it was only one outing, it offered a glimpse of the arm talent that made him a first-round pick.
Sterling is still likely a few years away from the upper minors, but a move to High-A Greensboro by the end of the 2026 season is a realistic goal. Pitching in that hitter-friendly environment would provide a true test for a young right-hander still refining his command. Even so, with the Pirates’ recent success in developing pitching, there is reason for optimism. Sterling remains a long-term project, but he has the pedigree and physical tools to grow into an impact arm at the major league level if his development continues in the right direction.
