Organizational Talent Rankings via Baseball America
2012 (13) | 2011 (19) | 2010 (15) | 2009 (18) | 2008 (26)
2012 Affiliate Records
MLB: [79-83] NL Central
AAA: [89-55] International League – Indianapolis
AA: [72-70] Eastern League – Altoona
A+: [60-77] Florida State League – Bradenton
A: [61-79] South Atlantic League – West Virginia
A(ss): [35-41] New York-Penn League — State College (Jamestown beginning 2013)
Arizona Fall League Players — Scottsdale Scorpions
Vic Black (RHP); Brandon Cumpton (RHP); Tyler Waldron (RHP); Matt Curry (1B); Gift Ngoepe (SS); Adalberto Santos (OF)
Graduated Prospects
Starling Marte (OF); Yamaico Navarro (INF); Jared Hughes (RHP); Jeff Locke (LHP)
The Run Down
There are systems out there that have more quality depth than Pittsburgh in the starting pitching department, but no other club boasts a one-two pitching punch that can match Pirates’. Gerrit Cole and Jameson Taillon are future front-line starters and they’ll both be knocking on the big league door this season. Pirates fans have lots to look forward to, as Cole and Taillon prepare to surface in the bigs alongside a solid and youthful core of offensive talent that includes Andrew McCutchen, Neil Walker, Starling Marte, and Pedro Alvarez. Given what they currently have and what’s set to arrive, it’s difficult to imagine this Pittsburgh team not contending for a NL Central division title within the next few years, but with the Reds and Cardinals set for long-term success, and the Cubs creeping back toward relevance, the competition will be supreme. But regardless of whether or not they’re playing postseason baseball in Pittsburgh, the Pirates organization figures to continue its recent trend of helping us fantasy owners.
Top Ten Prospects
1. Gerrit Cole, RHP: Cole came in at #22 on my Top 25 Prospects for 2013. He would’ve ranked considerably higher if the Pirates were open to the idea of Cole earning a spot in the rotation to begin the season. They’re not. He’ll instead pitch at Triple-A Indianapolis to work on consistency, but it’s extremely likely that Cole will reach Pittsburgh at some point this year. Once he’s up, he’ll be a must-own in all formats. Cole is one of a handful of prospects who project as a true big league ace, and he figures to help across the board in fantasy. ETA: 2013
2. Jameson Taillon, RHP: Also in that handful of future aces? Jameson Taillon. The 21-year-old reached Double-A last August, and was pitching at a high level for the three-start stint. At 6-6, 225, he’s an intimidating presence on the mound, and he comes at hitters with a plus-plus fastball and a great curve. If the Pirates are in the hunt down the stretch, it’s possible that we see both Cole and Taillon in their rotation. But if they’re out of contention, it might not make sense to rush Taillon and start his clock. ETA: Late 2013
3. Alen Hanson, SS: In his first year of full-season baseball, Hanson, at the age of 19, hit .309/.381/.528 with 62 XBH (16 HR), and 35 stolen bases in 558 PA. It was quite the breakout for the switch-hitting shortstop, who projects as a high-impact MI in the fantasy game. ETA: 2015
4. Luis Heredia, RHP: Another big-bodied starter, Heredia was dominant at State College in short-season NYPL play. At 6-6, 205, the 18-year-old already features a plus fastball offering and a good change. He’ll step up to full-season ball in 2013, where he’ll be among the younger pitchers in the league. Expect to see his strikeout numbers improve — just 5.4 K/9 in 2012 — as his secondary stuff catches up to his fastball. ETA: 2016
5. Gregory Polanco, OF: Polanco posted an outstanding line at Low-A West Virginia in 2012: .325/.388/.522, 16 HR, 40 SB. The 21-year-old Dominican is an impressive athlete with raw tools at the plate. He’ll be tested versus more advanced pitching as he approaches the upper levels. ETA: 2015
6. Josh Bell, OF: Bell played only 15 games at Low-A before a knee injury ended his professional debut last April. Still just 20 years old, he likely returns to West Virginia in 2013 where he’ll try to substantiate the pre-2012 hype. If all goes well, Bell should hit for power and for AVG from a corner outfield post. ETA: 2016
7. Dilson Herrera, 2B: Dilson in a bat-first MI who turned heads last year with impressive production in instructional ball. He’ll turn 19 next month, and Pittsburgh will likely opt to give the young Columbian a full-season assignment. He’ll turn into an intriguing fantasy prospect if he continues to hit as he pushes through the lower levels. ETA: 2016
8. Nick Kingham, RHP: Over his last 10 starts with West Virginia last year, Kingham posted a 2.36 ERA and a K/9 at 8.3. He’ll look to build from that late 2012 success early on in 2013. The 21-year-old stands 6-5, 220, and brings a solid fastball-change combo. Kingham looks like a safe bet to develop into a durable mid-rotation-type. ETA: 2015
9. Barret Barnes, OF: The 45th overall pick last June out of Texas Tech, Barnes debuted at short-season State College and managed an OPS at .857 in 38 games. There are some questions about the overall hit tool, but the 21-year-old flashes good power and he runs well. Provided things go well at Low-A to begin the year, Barnes could climb the ladder quickly toward Pittsburgh. ETA: 2015
10. Jose Osuna, 1B: As with most 1B prospects, there’s little room for error in Osuna’s development — he’s going to need to hit enough to fit the MLB first base profile, or he’s not gonna cut it as a regular. The 21-year-old Venezuelan slugged .454 in his first taste of full-season ball, but scouts are encouraged that figure will improve as development continues. He’ll move up to High-A Bradenton in 2013. ETA: 2015
