Ranking the Top 10 Prospects in the Pittsburgh Pirates' Farm System
The Pittsburgh Pirates’ farm system figured to rank among the best in the game heading into the 2012 season, especially with two potential front-line starters in Gerrit Cole and Jameson Taillon.
While both hard-throwing right-handers had exceptional seasons and are now within striking distance of the major leagues, it was a few of their lower-level international signees that made the most noise.
Center fielder Gregory Polanco and middle infielder Alen Hanson, who were both signed out of the Dominican Republic in 2009, enjoyed breakout seasons at Low-A West Virginia. Furthermore, 17-year-old right-hander Luis Heredia flashed his big-time potential with an impressive showing in the Short-Season New York-Penn League.
Beyond that, the only major disappoint was their $5 million, second-round draft pick from 2011, outfielder Josh Bell, who suffered a season-ending knee injury after only 15 games.
In terms of their 2012 draft picks, catcher Wyatt Mathisen and outfielder Barrett Barnes each showcased an advanced approach and promising bat at their respective levels, with Mathisen also exhibiting the athleticism and tools to remain behind the plate.
Here’s a look at the Pittsburgh Pirates’ top 10 prospects headed into the 2013 season.
10. Barrett Barnes
1 of 10Position: OF
DOB: 7/29/1991 (Age: 21)
Height/Weight: 6’1”, 195 pounds
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Signed: First round, 2012 (Texas Tech)
ETA: 2015
Scouting Notes: Excellent athlete with considerable room for growth; rare for a college position player; batted .288/.401/.456 with 11 extra-base hits and 10 stolen bases in professional debut for Short-Season State College; showcased advanced plate discipline with 21/17 K/BB in 38 games; plus bat speed with explosive swing; strong lower half; plenty of raw power; hit tool may play up due to plate discipline; above-average speed makes him a threat on the basepath.
Will be developed as a center fielder, but may end up at a corner spot; more value if he can stick in center field; enhances value of bat; above-average at the position with some range; glove is average, as is his arm; bat will carry projection.
2013 Opening Day Level: Low-A
9. RHP Kyle McPherson
2 of 10Position: RHP
DOB: 11/11/1987 (Age: 25)
Height/Weight: 6’4”, 215
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Signed: 14th round, 2007 (Mobile)
ETA: 2013
Scouting Notes: The 6’4” right-hander is an older prospect at 25. McPherson has moved slowly but surely through the Pirates’ system over the last six years; reached the major leagues for the first time last season after opening the year at Double-A; registered a 2.73 ERA with 21/7 K/BB in 26.1 innings with the Pirates after debut in late August; missed nearly half the season with shoulder inflammation.
He throws his fastball on a decent downhill plane but doesn’t generate many ground balls; decent, serviceable three-pitch mix that features a solid-average curveball and changeup; command-oriented; potential innings eater who minimizes baserunners; valuable back end starter.
2013 Opening Day Level: MLB
8. RHP Tyler Glasnow
3 of 10Position: RHP
DOB: 8/23/1993 (Age: 19)
Height/Weight: 6’7”, 195
Bats/Throws: L/R
Drafted/Signed: Fifth round, 2011 (Hart HS, Calif.)
ETA: 2016
Scouting Notes: 6’7”, 195-pound right-hander made his professional debut last season across two levels, showing swing-and-miss stuff and average command; 2.10 ERA with 40/16 K/BB in 34.1 innings in the rookie-level Gulf Coast League, followed by four scoreless frames for short-season State College; considering his size, Glasnow repeats his delivery well; feel for arsenal.
Throws fastball on a steep downhill plane; above-average velocity, but should sit comfortably in the mid-90s when he matures; curveball can be a hammer, but is inconsistent at the moment; doesn’t always stay on top and execute pitch; excellent shape when it’s on; changeup is fringy but that’s understandable; will become an integral part of his development this season; plenty of time to gain experience.
2013 Opening Day Level: Short-Season State College
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7. C Wyatt Mathisen
4 of 10Position: C
DOB: 12/30/1993 (Age: 19)
Height/Weight: 6’1”, 205
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Signed: Second round, 2012 (Calallen HS, Texas)
ETA: 2016
Scouting Notes: A potential steal in the second round, Mathisen batted .295/.388/.374 with nine extra-base hits, 10 stolen bases and 19/16 K/BB in his professional debut in the Gulf Coast League; right-handed hitter with a potential plus hit tool; knack for barreling the ball; approach is well beyond his years; above-average bat speed; feel for the bat head relative to strike zone; throws hands right to/through ball; power will gradually emerge and has the potential to be above-average; both makeup and ability to make adjustments at a young age are very impressive.
Very raw behind the plate and lack of experience is apparent; natural athleticism and tools make him likely to remain at the position; plus arm strength with a crisp release; threw out runners at a 36-percent clip last season; defense lags behind bat, naturally, but both give him the potential to be an excellent catching prospect.
2013 Opening Day Level: Low-A
6. OF Josh Bell
5 of 10Position: OF
DOB: 8/14/1992 (Age: 20)
Height/Weight: 6’4”, 195
Bats/Throws: S/R
Drafted/Signed: Second round, 2011 (Dallas Jesuit College Prep, Texas)
ETA: 2016
Scouting Notes: Snagged for $5 million as a second-rounder in 2011, Bell appeared in only 15 games in his professional debut due to a season-ending knee injury; involves big-time projection at 6’4”, 195 pounds; now 20 years old and behind developmental curve; switch-hitting outfielder has plus raw power from both sides of the plate; loose wrists, strong forearms; above-average pure bat speed; potential for above-average hit tool; sample size is limited, but needs to see more secondary offerings to get comfortable; big gap between present and future potential.
Speed wasn’t great before knee injury and he’s not a clean fit in center field; will likely end up at a corner position; somewhat of a wild card headed into 2013 given age and lack of experience; offensive tools are there but he’s very raw overall.
2013 Opening Day Level: Low-A
5. RHP Luis Heredia
6 of 10Position: RHP
DOB: 8/10/1994 (Age: 18)
Height/Weight: 6’6”, 205
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Signed: Aug., 2010 (Mexico)
ETA: 2016
Scouting Notes: A large, physical right-hander at 6’6”, 205 pounds, Heredia is yet another power pitcher in the Pirates’ loaded system; pitched entire 2012 season as a 17-year-old in the New York-Penn League; registered a 2.71 ERA with 40/20 K/BB in 66.1 innings; will have to work hard to stay in shape, as his massive frame involves minimal projection.
He’s still only a teenager, but his fastball already reaches the mid-90s and he’s adept to manipulating it for additional movement; utilizes his height by throwing the pitch on a steep downhill plane that usually results in weak contact; curveball is still raw and lacks overall consistency, though he’ll have plenty of time to refine it over the upcoming seasons; changeup is advanced for his age and features late fade; overall pitchability could make him a No. 2 or 3 starter in a few years.
2013 Opening Day Level: Low-A
4. SS/2B Alen Hanson
7 of 10Position: SS/2B
DOB: 10/22/1992 (Age: 20)
Height/Weight: 5’11”, 152
Bats/Throws: S/R
Drafted/Signed: July, 2009 (Dominican Republic)
ETA: 2015
Scouting Notes: Hanson enjoyed an unexpected breakout season in 2012 at Low-A West Virgina, as he batted .309/.381/.528 with 62 extra-base hits (16 home runs), 35 stolen bases and 105/55 K/BB; showcased a combination of exceptional tools and developing baseball skills; switch hitter has the potential for a plus hit tool due to his quick bat and ability to drive the ball across the entire field from both sides of the plate; while he projects for solid-average power, Hanson is more likely to amass lots of doubles and triples.
A plus runner, he definitely has the defensive actions, range and glove to remain at shortstop; arm strength is only average and more projectable as a second baseman; bat will always serve as calling card and should get him to the major leagues at one of the middle-infield positions; another prospect to follow closely in his second full season next year.
2013 Opening Day Level: High-A
3. OF Gregory Polanco
8 of 10Position: OF
DOB: 9/14/1991 (Age: 21)
Height/Weight: 6’4”, 170
Bats/Throws: L/L
Drafted/Signed: April, 2009 (Dominican Republic)
ETA: 2015
Scouting Notes: An incredibly raw but athletic prospect; very projectable 6’4”, 170-pound frame with plenty of room to add strength; outstanding tools and secondary skills; had a monster breakout season at Low-A West Virginia, batting .235/.388/.522 with 48 extra-base hits (16 home runs), 40 stolen bases and 64/44 K/BB in 116 games as a 20-year-old.
Although he’s still young, the left-handed hitter has the potential for an above-average hit tool in the major leagues; showcases excellent bat speed and bat-to-ball ability; already comfortable driving the ball to all fields; always swings to drive the ball, which helps explain his improved power utility; strikes the ball with backspin carry; due to his plus athleticism, speed and range, he projects to remain in center field where his bat, power and speed are a premium; prospect stock could jump even higher with a strong follow-up campaign at High-A Bradenton.
2013 Opening Day Level: High-A
2. RHP Jameson Taillon
9 of 10Position: RHP
DOB: 11/18/1991 (Age: 21)
Height/Weight: 6’6”, 225
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Signed: First round, 2010 (The Woodlands HS, Texas)
ETA: 2013
Scouting Notes: Another tall (6’6”) power pitcher with a huge ceiling; Taillon’s arsenal isn’t quite as electric and advanced as Cole’s; despite long limbs, mechanics and delivery are still inconsistent and could inhibit his overall command; demonstrated vast improvement over the course of the 2012 season; registered a 3.82 ERA with 98/37 K/BB at High-A Bradenton; was dominant in three starts at Double-A Altoona to finish the season (17 IP, 1.59 ERA, 18/1 K/BB).
Right-hander’s fastball sits in the mid-to-high-90s with movement to the arm side; curveball is a second plus pitch with sharp, two-plane break; changeup is currently average at best as he noticeably lacks a feel for the pitch and how to execute it; needs to iron out some minor issues with his mechanics and refine his overall command before reaching the major leagues; exciting to envision him following Cole in the team’s rotation.
2013 Opening Day Level: Double-A
1. RHP Gerrit Cole
10 of 10Position: RHP
DOB: 9/8/1990 (Age: 22)
Height/Weight: 6’4”, 220
Bats/Throws: R/R
Drafted/Signed: First round, 2011 (UCLA)
ETA: 2013
Scouting Notes: Large, durable, 6’4”, 220-pound frame; epitome of a power pitcher; the right-hander actually did a good job repeating his mechanics and delivery during his professional debut in 2012; registered a 2.55 ERA with 69/21 K/BB in 67 games at High-A Bradenton; 2.90 ERA with 60/23 K/BB at Double-A Altoona; fanned seven in lone start at Triple-A Indianapolis to close 2012 season.
Power arsenal is highlighted by a plus-plus fastball that sits in the high-90s and routinely touches triple-digits; complements heater with a plus slider that’s thrown in the high-80s and features a devastating, wipeout break; completes elite arsenal with an above-average changeup that can be filthy when around the zone; despite his three dynamic offerings, Cole didn’t dominate last season as he should have; with a year of experience under his belt, the talented right-hander is poised for a big season and potentially long career at the front of the Pirates’ starting rotation; true No. 1 starter upside; shouldn't take him long to reach the major leagues
2013 Opening Day Level: Triple-A
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