This is one in a series of stories breaking down PBN’s Top 30 Pirates prospects.
Duce Gourson wasn’t a high draft pick. The Pirates took him in the ninth round of the 2024 draft out of UCLA. And yet, he continues to emerge as a prospect of note in the organization.
Gourson began his professional career immediately after signing. He totaled 22 games — 11 each with Low-A Bradenton and High-A Greensboro. Combined between the two levels, the San Diego-native owned a .203/.379/.270 batting line with five doubles, eight RBI and four steals.
Gourson’s emergence really started last season, a year split between Greensboro and Double-A Altoona. The jump from Greensboro to Altoona is a drastic one, but Gourson handled it with ease.
After slashing .261/.368/.449 with nine doubles, one triple, five home runs, 18 RBI and 21 steals in 39 games for the Grasshoppers, Gourson continued to play well with the Curve. He played 56 games with Altoona last season and slashed .284/.372/.431. Gourson also totaled 12 doubles, one triple, five home runs, 20 RBI and 10 steals.
The 24-year-old opened the 2026 season back with Altoona. While he didn’t have the same level of performance as he did last season, he received a promotion to Triple-A Indianapolis on July 17.
Gourson shined after the promotion. He totaled 48 games with Indianapolis and batted .277/.379/.457 with nine doubles, two triples, six home runs, 22 RBI and nine steals.
No player in the Pirates system played more games than Gourson’s 127. Only three of Pittsburgh’s minor-leaguers totaled more steals than his 38.
Gourson doesn’t have a strong defensive reputation but offers versatility. He’s split his career evenly between second and third base with a handful of appearances at first base.
He’s shown the ability to get on base and steal bases when he does. None of his tools necessarily stand out, but Gourson continues to perform well and could be a solid utility player when all said and done.
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