Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects

Nothing too surprising, I suppose. Chase D'Arnaud is up there pretty high, and I'm not sure if Gorkys Hernandez deserves to be in the top 10 anymore. The list omits Moskos in the top draft picks of the decade section, which is probably for the best.

2 months ago reverse apache master 16 comments 0 recs |

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Thought

it interesting that they had Victor Black as the future closer

by God Loves on Nov 24, 2009 1:44 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

What I’ve seen written about him seems to indicate that that would be a pretty good fit. Kevin Goldstein’s early version of his Pirates top 11 on the postgame radio show had him at 11, the PG list with help from the Pirates player development guys had him as their #12 prospect, and Jonathan Mayo had him as the 3rd best pitcher the Pirates drafted this year behind Cain and Von Rosenberg.

BA also has him as both best fastball and best slider. Basically exactly what you’re looking for in a closer. I’m sure the Pirates will try him as a starter first, though.

by ElDuce on Nov 24, 2009 2:53 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

Starling Marte is a potential five-tool talent

He has plus-plus speed and a strong arm. In the words of Baseball America,

Marte has as much raw all-around ability as anybody in the system. He’ll advance to high Class A and work on refining his talent in 2010.

This sounds like a big deal. Who has seen him play?

Viva Clemente!

by Roberto on Nov 25, 2009 11:36 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I think WTM has.

by Vlad on Nov 30, 2009 9:35 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

As far as I’ve seen, he’s what they say he is. Great speed, very good arm. He’s not exactly a wild swinger at the plate but he needs to take more pitches. Very athletic guy. I’d be disappointed if at least moderate power doesn’t develop.

by WTM on Nov 30, 2009 10:35 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs

also interesting

that they have Maholm, Duke and Aki all in the projected 2013 lineup!

and that they don’t have alderson in it!

by BurgherKing on Nov 24, 2009 2:17 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Never been a fan of the projected lineups. Seems pointless.

by bolton on Nov 24, 2009 9:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

To me, they’re meant to be guidelines, not in so much as what current big league players will still be with the team, but more when prospects will arrive and help the big club. You’re right, it is ultimately pointless, but it can ballpark when lower-level prospects might be with the Bucs.

by NastyNate82 on Nov 24, 2009 9:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs

I don't see Duke as a #5 starter on the Pirates

And by that, I mean when he falls to the status of a #5 (which could be soon), it won’t make sense to pay him the kind of money he will be getting in 2013.

I’m pretty sure they will trade him before then.

I think 2010 is going to be an important year for Alderson. If he takes a large stride with his velocity, then he’ll be in the picture for 2011 or 2012.

by MarkInDallas on Nov 24, 2009 3:27 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

Duke, Maholm and Iwamura...

Considering those three will probably cost a combined $25M in 2013, I don’t see them on the roster. I guess this in BA’s way of saying that none of our 2B or SP prospects will be good enough to beat out those guys, but the reality is that Pirates management will not let our payroll get so high and will bail on the high price guys by 2013.

by wietersforpresident on Nov 24, 2009 4:00 PM EST reply actions 0 recs

The issue is not that our SP prospects won’t be talented enough, it’s that there’s too much uncertainty to project them into the rotation now. Colton Cain could be a #2 starter or a bust. Even Bryan Morris could be a #3-4 or completely flame out. Our pitching prospects have upside, but also enough downside to not be completely confident yet. In 2013, we’re definitely more likely to see some combination of Alderson, Morris, Locke, McCutchen, Lorin, Owens, or any of the recent draftees as decent back rotation starters than Duke/Maholm.

by Adam Reynolds on Nov 24, 2009 7:02 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs