15 Prospects I have an Eye on....Maybe You Should too.

The Pirates are enjoying a nice stretch at the Major League level, but it is never too early to look at the future. Pittsburgh has stockpiled the minor league system the past few years, and that leaves you with some interesting and talented players to look forward to. I am not claiming to be some major Minor League Baseball talent buff, but some guys numbers stick out more than most.  Obviously there are some prospects I missed. They are still very good and worthy of checking out. They have drafted plenty of High School Pitchers they drafted the past few seasons, and it is hard to evaluate until they really make the climb. I did not forget about Colton Cain, Colton Brewer, and so on and so forth.

1. Gerrit Cole SP 21 AA-Altoona- Gerrit Cole has recently climbed the latter to AA after a sound performance in High-A Bradenton. The former number 1 overall pick's first start was not anything outstanding, but solid.  He is 6-1 with a 2.63 ERA and 75 strikeouts in his 14 starts this season. Gerrit Cole is definitely the prize of the Pirates minor league system. He is on the fast track to the Majors. Gerrit should see AAA next season, and could be in Pittsburgh by mid-season if all things continue to work out. Setbacks do happen, but Cole can be a front end starter for years to come if he stays healthy. He has that kind of talent.


2. Mark Appel SP 20 Unsigned- Mark Appel is not technically a Pirate farm hand, yet.  I think Appel will ultimately sign with Pittsburgh before the deadline.  He has very little to gain by coming back, and the risk is way more than the reward.  Appel has front end talent and could make a similar jump through the minors as Cole has had. I would not rank Appel with Cole and Taillon in talent, but he is not far off. Appel could possibly be in Pittsburgh in 2014 if all works out. Appel is a major part of Pittsburgh's future, it would be pretty bad if he fails to sign.


3. Jameson Taillon SP 20 High A-Bradenton- Jameson Taillon was believed to be Pittsburgh's top prospect going into the season, but has since been jumped by Gerrit Cole.   Taillon has dropped the whole way to number two, so yeah he is still really important.  Taillon has not hit a roadblock in High A, but he isn't breezing through it. Taillon is 4-6  with a 4.10 ERA and 67 strikeouts in 74 innings.  He has had outstanding games, and some real shaky ones this season. Taillon will be in Altoona next year, maybe even the tail end of this year. He did not attend college and would only be wrapping up his Sophomore year if he had. There is no need for concern, he can possibly be in Pittsburgh by 2014, 2015 at the latest. 

4. Luis Heredia SP 17 Shortseason A-State College- Luis Heredia may be the most intriguing prospect Pittsburgh has.  Heredia is a 6-6 right handed pitcher that throws mid 90's. He is 17 years old and is the age of a High School senior.  The kid pitched for the first time this season and only gave up 1 hit through 4 innings.  The scary thing with Heredia he may spend another five season in Minor League Baseball and would only be 22. There is no telling if a kid like this will pan out, but its nice to think he would. The Pirates threw the kid a nice bonus, and he may be as good as advertised.  International pitchers are hit or miss, but imagine if he was a hit like Felix Hernandez....




5. Starling Marte CF 23 AAA Indianpolis- Starling Marte is the one position player that could be knocking on the door very soon. Actually, it seemed as though he may be here by now during Spring Training. Marte has not dominated AAA, and has struggled mightily at times this season. He still very well could be in Pittsburgh this season. Jose Tabata is just awful this season, and other options at Right Field have been inconsistent. The trade deadline will determine Marte's fate.  He will be here next year no matter what, and has a world of potential. He has 16 stolen bases, 36 RBI's and 27 extra base hits in 70 games for the Indianapolis Indians. 


6. Josh Bell RF 19 Low A West Virginia- Josh Bell has been hurt since April 24 and has not played since. He should be playing again soon and hopefully progress is made by the end of the season. Bell was a first round talent that the Pirates over-slotted for last year, and it appears now that it was worth it.  Bell is definitely the most talented and interesting corner outfielder in the organization and could be a Jason Heyward type player down the line. It is hard to say when the kid will make his way to Pittsburgh, but it would be a great sign if he started in High-A next season and not have a repeat start in West Virginia.  

7. Rudy Owens SP 24 AAA Indianapolis- Rudy Owens will be the first in line to receive a promotion to Pittsburgh for whatever the reason. I would say there is not much more Owens has to prove in the minors. He has proven himself at every level, and is having a fantastic AAA season. Owens is 6-2 with a 2.38 ERA in 14 starts. Owens is a left hander and would be a nice addition to the Pittsburgh rotation.  Kevin Correia,Brad Lincoln, and Jeff Karstens are occupying the final two spots in the rotation currently, but moves should be made very soon. Owens will get to pitch in Pittsburgh this year, it is only a matter of when.


8. Tony Sanchez C 24 AAA Indianapolis-Sanchez remains Pittsburgh's only real "prospect" when it comes to Catcher.  Sanchez is close to being labeled as a bust (if you haven't already called him one) as he has not lived up to being the 4th overall pick in the 2009 draft. Sanchez has recently been promoted to AAA, and he has not exactly hit too well.  He was not hitting well in Altoona either.  Sanchez was either flat out overrated or has not lived up to his potential. Still, with the current catching situation in the organization the front office has to be praying Sanchez works out.  Barajas is old and does not have much left, and McKenry is not a starter. The Pirates may have to go out and get somebody, or Sanchez steps up and does what he is supposed to.  He will stay in AAA this year, and will get a chance to make the majors next year.


9. Brock Holt 2B/SS 24 AA Altoona-Brock Holt is emerging as a potential prospect in a very thin middle infield in the Pirates organization.  Jordy Mercer and Chase d'Arnaud do not appear to be major league players and they both sit in AAA, but Holt could be different.  Holt is batting .315 to date and could see a promotion to AAA soon.  Shortstop is Pittsburgh's worst organizational position, and they are begging for one guy in the minors to step up.  Holt could be that guy, I'd like to see how he handles AAA.

10. Wyatt Mathisen C 18 Rookie GCL-Mathisen was Pittsburgh's 3rd pick in the draft and he comes in highly touted. The Pirates were able to sway him from going to the University of Texas and sign. He becomes Pittsburgh's next hope to be the Catcher. He is far from the majors, but should be a guy to keep an eye on. He is absolutely tearing the cover off the ball in the Rookie league for what it is worth.  Maybe he can be in West Virginia next year as a 19 year old, that would be really worth keeping an eye on. 


11. Mel Rojas OF 22 High A Bradenton-Rojas certainly looks the part of a Major League Outfielder. His 6-3 frame projects him nicely and he could be a serious pro prospect as his minor league career progresses. He is hitting just .271 in Bradenton, but that is improvement from his previous minor league seasons. If Rojas can put together a full season, he will be a highly intriguing player in AA next season.


12. Alen Hanson 2B 19 Low A West Virginia-Hanson is having the best season of any Pirate minor league farmhand. Out of nowhere the little second basemen is hitting .323 with 10 Home Runs, 37 RBI's, and 18 stolen bases. He is a young guy so there is no real rush to get him to Bradenton.  His season is a real bright spot because of the aforementioned middle infield struggles this organization possesses.  Hansen's season may be a fluke, but he is firmly on the radar now, and has earned prospect status. 


13. Alex Dickerson 1B/OF 22 High A Bradenton-Dickerson may be the Pirates' best future power hitter in the system.  Dickerson is a polished former college hitter that has driven in 43 runs on the season from the left side of the plate.  His 6-3 235 frame makes him look like a very solid First Base prospect.  Pittsburgh is heavy on pitching, but the real significant batting prospects are few and far between. Dickerson is a guy I have been following closely and hopefully turns out to be better than a Matt Hague or a Steve Pearce.


14.  Barrett Barnes CF 20 Shortseason State College-Barnes was the Pirates supplemental pick and is signed and ready to go in State College. He seems to have a bit of a project label to his name as he needs some work with his swing. That is an odd commodity to have from a college player.  He is still nonetheless loaded with talent.  Barnes joins a crowded system of outfielders, but he may be able to stick out. He is young in his career, but worth tracking for the next few years. 


15. Matt Curry 1B 23 AA Altoona-I know, nothing exciting. Curry comes from a college program and is an undersized First Basemen. He may be Steve Pearce all over again, but I still find myself checking his stats when I do my minor league run through. He should be in AAA next year, if not this year. He is batting .291, and could get hot from time to time. I think this is total wishful thinking, but the Pirates need to take any First Base prospect they have somewhat seriously.