Pittsburgh Pirates: Matt Curry and 5 Breakout Prospects for 2011

The Pittsburgh Pirates are off to a better than usual 26-28 start in 2011.

New manager Clint Hurdle, and new pitching coach Ray Searage seem to have changed the attitude of this group of Pirates players.

While it is unknown whether the Pirates will stay around .500 all season, the fact is they are still in the mix of things.

Pirates fans do not usually have much optimism by the time June rolls around, but this year the Pirates may have some fans dreaming.

Other fans will begin to look ahead to the minor leagues, and who will be replacing the players on Pirates roster.

Here are five minor league prospects that are have made themselves known in 2011.

5. Brock Holt, 2B

Minor league team: Altoona Curve (Double A)

2011 statistics: 50 G, .290 BA, 1 HR, 15 RBI, 10 SB

Brock Holt has some work to do before he makes the jump to the major leagues and takes Neil Walker's starting spot, but it never hurts to have depth.

Holt has been a consistent hitter for the Altoona Curve, and has also shown speed on the base paths. These are two things that go a long way to success down the road.

In the field, Holt does have six errors at second base.

Despite the breakout through the first two months of the 2011 season, Holt will probably have a long, slow road to the major leagues.

4. Tim Alderson, P

Minor league team: Altoona Curve (Double A)

2011 statistics: 30.2 IP, 1.17 ERA, 27 K, 6 BB, .193 BAA

In 2008, Alderson was one of the San Fransisco Giants' top prospects.

In 2009, Alderson was dealt to the Pittsburgh Pirates in the deal that sent former batting champion Freddy Sanchez to the Giants.

Since coming to Pittsburgh, Alderson has struggled mightily, suffering a 5.35 ERA between High A and Double A.

Now two months into 2011, Alderson is back at Double A, but is now coming out of the bullpen.

He has shown some of the ability that he possessed while in the Giants' system, and once again has some Pirates fans hopeful for the future.

Alderson is still young at 22 years old, so there is still a chance to make good on his ability to become a productive addition to the Pirates' pitching staff.

3. Kyle McPherson, P

Minor league team: Bradenton Marauders (High A)

2011 statistics: 11 GS, 4-1, 2.93 ERA, 55 K, 6 BB

A 14th round pick in 2007, McPherson has had a very nice start to the 2011 campaign.

Already earning four wins, McPherson was just recently named a Florida State League Mid-Season All Star.

With an ERA under 3.00, McPherson has consistently kept runs off of the board for the Marauders.

The Pirates are always looking for pitchers, regardless of the surprising start by this year's staff. If McPherson can continue his hot start, he could see a promotion to Altoona in the near future, and could be in the majors by 2012.

2. Starling Marte, CF

Minor league team: Altoona Curve (Double A)

2011 statistics: 49 G, .328 BA, 3 HR, 19 RBI, 4 3B, 11 SB

On talent alone, Marte is the best player among these five prospects.

That is also the reason why I wouldn't necessarily call him a breakout player, because this was expected.

Marte is a five tool player, with a cannon-like arm from the outfield and has great instincts for a still-raw prospect.

Offensively, he is a solid contact hitter and brings plus speed to the basepaths.

If Marte can keep up his success, he could see the Triple A club in Indianapolis by the end of this season, and could be knocking on Pittsburgh's door in June of 2012. If he can either adjust to right field, or be good enough defensively to bump Andrew McCutchen to right field, Marte could make a huge impact.

1. Matt Curry, 1B

Minor league team: West Virginia Power (Single A)/ Altoona Curve (Double A)

2011 statistics: (WV): 46 G, .361 BA, 9 HR, 35 RBI, 15 2B, 6 SB

(ALT): 3 G, .364 BA,  1 2B, 2 RBI

Matt Curry is a breakout player in the truest sense.

A 16th round pick out of TCU in 2010, Curry hit .299 with seven HR in 58 games with the Pirates Low A affiliate, the State College Spikes.

In 2011, Curry has continued his success at High A Bradenton, and has shown the ability to hit the ball over the fence consistently.

His success in Bradenton allowed him to get an aggressive promotion to Double A Altoona, and in three games he is already on the right track.

With Lyle Overbay aging (34 years old), Curry could see playing time in the not-so-distant future at first base. If Curry can continue to hit, he could see Triple A  Indianapolis by the end of the season, and Pittsburgh in 2012.