The Pittsburgh Pirates entered the 2008 season with a surprisingly shallow amount of talent in the minor leagues, despite consistently picking in the top ten of the amateur baseball draft every year. However, through the trades of Jason Bay, Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte and savvy drafting, the Pirates farm system is much healthier going into the 2009 season. Here is a list of the top ten most promising prospects in the Pirates system.
1. Pedro Alvarez, Third Base, 21 years old
Sure, he hasn't played a professional game yet, and the entire city of Pittsburgh hates him, but Alvarez is still the number one player in Pirates farm system. Like Cam Bonifay with Kris Benson and Dave Littlefield with Brian Bullington, the legacy of new GM Neil Huntington will ultimately depend on Alvarez's production and improvement. Huntington's choice of Alvarez with the second overall pick is the highest the Pirates have selected in a draft since Bullington in 2002. While that didn't work out very well for Littlefield, Huntington clearly believes that Alvarez has the potential to be the big bat in the middle of the lineup that the Pirates have craved for so many years. Fans are clamoring to see Alvarez on the field so that we can get a taste of what he can do. For now hype and excitement are going to have to be enough. Still, that all that buzz is still enough to earn him the number one spot on this countdown.
2. Andrew McCutchen, Outfield, 22 years old
The only reason that McCutchen is not atop this list is that Dave Littlefield is gone, and with him the regime that drafted McCutchen in 2005. It is very clear that Alvarez is Huntington's guy, and it is unclear how well McCutchen fits into Huntington's plans for the future. On the field, while not spectacular, McCutchen had another productive year in Indianapolis, putting up 9 home runs and 34 steals while posting a .283 batting average. McCutchen is at the point in his career where he has proven all he can in the minor leagues and just needs to produce in the show. The departure of Jason Bay and Xavier Nady from a crowded outfield should provide McCutchen with chance to do just that. Pirates fans have been looking forward to seeing this kid since he was drafted in 2005. It looks like McCutchen will be given his chance to either sink or swim at some point next season.
3. Jose Tabata, Outfield, 20 years old
Tabata was the prize piece in the deal that sent Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte to the Yankees. Tabata arrived in Pittsburgh in July surrounded by questions about his attitude and competitive fire, however with his play in Altoona, Tabata definitely ended those questions, at least for a while. Tabata's numbers after the trade were terrific, posting 8 steals and a .348 batting average in 89 at bats. While it ultimately depends on how Tabata performs, I would not be shocked to see Tabata as a September call-up in the upcoming year. Also, the production of fellow outfielders McCutchen, Brandon Moss and Stephen Pearce will dictate how fast Tabata moves through the system.
4. Brad Lincoln, Pitcher, 23 years old
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about 1 month ago
hey, i realized i didnt mention something. in this list im considering pearce and laroche as no longer prospects, so they don't qualify for this list.
about 1 month ago
Great job Malcom. I appreciate anyone who knows their teams prospects.
from about 1 month ago
Malcolm, sorry.
anyway forgot to add..
You think Tabata will stay on track? Is he going to start next year in Triple-A?
about 1 month ago
literally, i have fallen in love with tabata and completely bought into him. i just hope hes not brad eldred all over again, cause I believed in him too. i would have thought that he would start in altoona, and possibly go up to indianapolis at some point midseason.
about 1 month ago
literally, i have fallen in love with tabata and completely bought into him. i just hope hes not brad eldred all over again, cause I believed in him too. i would have thought that he would start in altoona, and possibly go up to indianapolis at some point midseason.
25 days ago
Very good article. One of the few updated prospects lists online; most sites still have Morgan & Pearce listed as prospects. I may disagree slightly with the order of prospects (by no more than one or more rungs on the ladder), but I believe the best 10/11 prospects in the organization are listed in this article. I truly believe if we have one more solid draft in 2009, by 2011, we will compete for a playoff spot.
Projected Line-Up in (2011):
1) A. McCutchen (CF), 2) Tabata (RF), 3) McClouth (LF), 4) Alvarez (1B), 5) Doumit (C), 6) N. Walker (3B), 7) Ford/An. Laroche (2B), 8) FA/Mercer/D'Arnaud (SS) 9) Pitcher
Projected Starting Rotation (2011):
1) Maholm, 2) Snell, 3) Lincoln, 4) Morris, 5) McCuthchen/Dumatrait/Karstens (Ohlendorf will be moved to bullpen, possibly Dumatrait as well).
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