The Pittsburgh Pirates have been riding a wave of momentum this season, with their offense finally clicking into a cohesive unit. But despite the buzz surrounding their young talent, a recent ranking from Bleacher Report has left fans scratching their heads.

At the heart of this young core are two electrifying players: Paul Skenes, the 24-year-old ace who's already dominating on the mound, and Konnor Griffin, the 20-year-old top prospect who's made a solid debut. Together, they form what should be one of the most exciting duos in baseball. Yet, according to Bleacher Report's Kerry Miller, the Pirates' young core ranks just 10th in MLB.

Miller's "Core Four" for Pittsburgh includes Skenes, Griffin, Jared Jones (24), and Bubba Chandler (23). While Skenes and Griffin are undeniable stars, the ranking reveals a key issue: depth. After those two, Jones and Chandler are solid but haven't yet shown the elite potential needed to elevate the Pirates higher on the list.

It's a similar story for other teams like the Atlanta Braves and Washington Nationals, who boast high-end talent but lack the overall depth to crack the top tier. Without Skenes' dominance, the Pirates might not even be in the top 10.

So while this ranking feels like a slight to a team with two generational talents, it also makes sense. Skenes is already a force, and Griffin looks like he could be one too, but the production from the rest of the core will determine whether Pittsburgh can climb higher. For now, the Pirates have the foundation—but they'll need the rest of their young stars to step up to truly compete with baseball's best.