April 8 Top Ten Pirate Prospects.

1. Gerrit Cole AAA Indianapolis RHP 22 years old. 

I think its pretty clear across the board that Gerrit Cole is the Pirates' top prospect. After a very solid
Spring, Cole let it be known throughout the organization that he can probably pitch in the big leagues this season. Whether it be for financial reasons or legitimate pitching concerns, he started the season at AAA.  I have no problem with it, because they did not have to rush him right away. The pitching has not played a huge role in the early season woes, its an offensive struggle currently. He will come up at some point this season, and he very well could take the league by storm. He has that kind of talent. He had a shaky first start this season, but by no means should it be alarming. It is too early for that.

2. Jameson Taillon AA Altoona RHP 21 years old.

Jameson Taillon is almost at that same level as Gerrit Cole. He possesses that electric front end of the rotation type of arm. He is an exciting prospect in his own right, and he should be at AAA by the season's end. Taillon could see Pittsburgh next season, but I do not mind easing these guys along. Other teams have rushed their guys, and they spend a few seasons bouncing around before they are full time major leaguers. Taillon is very young, but loaded with upside. He pitched very well in his first start in Altoona by allowing no runs, walking one, and striking out four in five innings of work.

 

3. Gregory Polanco A Bradenten OF 21 years old.

Polanco has outstanding upside, and can make some serious moves in the coming years within the organization. As we all well know, Andrew McCutchen is the only sure thing in the current Pirate outfield, and with an average cast of AA and AAA outfielders, Polanco will begin to stick out even more. He stole 40 bases last season, while also batting .325. He has some of the ability that makes you want to say "five tool" player. He could find his way in Altoona by the end of the season, but will spend the majority at Bradenten, unless he goes on an exceptional streak.

4. Alan Hanson A Bradenton SS 20 years old.

Hansen really emerged as a solid infield prospect last season. You would be able to find him among many of the top 100 prospect list out there. As most young shortstops do, he is not there 100% defensively. The athleticism and bat are noticeable. He is smallish, and you could see at second base at some point, but as of now he remains the top shortstop in the system. He had an outstanding first half last season with West Virginia, but cooled off considerably in the later parts of the season. Still, he has the tools, and he is so young.  I assume he moves along slowly, but could still be knocking on the major league door when he is 23, assuming he continues to progress.

5. Luis Heredia A Jamestown RHP 18 years old.

Without a doubt the most intriguing prospect in the system. He was a major coup for the international
staff, and one of the more higher profile signings the organization has ever had. He was signed at 16, with a 95 MPH fast ball and a 6-5 build. The potential was, and very much still is right there. He had  a very good campaign with short season, State College last year. That was going up against mainly college players in the equivalent as his senior year of high school. So yeah, he is ahead of the curve. It may be a while until he gets to PNC Park, but he will be one of the more highly anticipated minor leagues Pittsburgh has ever seen.

 

6. Josh Bell A West Virginia OF 20 years old.

Bell was a first round talent that fell into the Pirates lap a few years back. He was over slotted for his services, but it could prove to be a wise move for the organization. At 6-4, he has the potential to reaqlly be a solid corner outfielder down the line. An injury held him out most of last season, so he will be in low A West Virginia again. If he can adjust, and show what he needs to, he should be in Bradenton soon enough.

7. Barrett Barnes OF 21 years old.

Barnes was essentially the top draft pick of last year with Mark Appel going back to school. Barnes had an injury last season, but was playing well up until then. He has good speed, and could be a nice defensive outfielder down the road. I'm not sold on his hitting ability just yet, but that's what the minors are supposed to teach these guys.

8. Alex Dickerson AA Altoona 1B 22 years old.

Dickerson was a fairly high pick, and came as a pretty well polished hitter. He is not the greatest first baseman, but he holds his own. Dickerson is one of the few position players in AAA or AA that has legitimate prospect status. He's already started out well in Altoona, and could find himself in Indy if he stays productive. 

9. Wyatt Mathisen A West Virginia C 19 years old.

Wyatt Mathisen may not be the greatest prospect just yet, but I can see him turning into one. First of all, the flop of Tony Sanchez puts the position at a premium within the organization. Mathisen has good athleticism and a good enough bat to be drafted in the second round last year. At 19, he will be playing in low A ball as an everyday Catcher. If he proves he can hit, his value will go up immensely.

10. Clay Holmes A West Virginia RHP 20 years old.

 

Holmes had a good run in short season last year. I do not put him in the class with Cole, Taillon, Heredia because he does not appear to be that overpowering 1-2 guy in the rotation. Sounds like he relies on being more of a groundball type of pitcher. He had a bad start to this season, but he should work his way out of it.