FanPost

Baseball America has tentative Pirates top 10 prospects list.



    The Pirates Top 10 Prospects list has seen its share of movement this year with graduations to the majors, draft signings, injuries, etc. What would the list look like after the signing deadline? I would guess that Jameson Taillon and Stetson Allie would rank first and second, but who would round out the Top 10?

    Chris Gaul
    Pittsburgh

    What would the Pirates Top 10 Prospects list look like now with both Jameson Taillon and Stetson Allie signed? Where would Luis Heredia rank?

    Rob Maxwell
    Pittsburgh

After the Pirates signed Taillon and Allie at the deadline and then added Heredia out of Mexico three days later—total cost for the three pitchers: $11.35 million—I did an interview with Pittsburgh radio host Rocco DeMaro. Rocco wondered if it was the best week for the franchise since it played in the 1992 National League Division Series, and he might just be right. The Pirates grabbed three potential aces who are exactly the kind of difference-makers that their rotation has lacked for a long time.

With those three players joining the organization, and Pedro Alvarez, Brad Lincoln and Jose Tabata graduating to Pittsburgh, an updated Pirates Top 10 would look dramatically different than it did at the start of the season. Here's how I see it:

1. Jameson Taillon, rhp
The next Josh Beckett signed for a franchise-record $6.5 million.
2. Stetson Allie, rhp
He and Taillon had the two best arms in the 2010 draft.
3. Tony Sanchez, c
Broken jaw in June has been lone setback for 2009 first-rounder.
4. Luis Heredia, rhp
Projectable 6-foot-6, 185-pounder already throws 92-93 mph.
5. Starling Marte, of
Speedster has hit .319/.388/.432 in full-season ball.
6. Jeff Locke, lhp
Part of the Nate McLouth trade, he has a solid four-pitch mix.
7. Andrew Lambo, of
Former Dodgers No. 1 prospect just arrived in the Octavio Dotel deal.
8. Bryan Morris, rhp
Flashes a low-90s fastball and downer curve; needs to stay healthy
9. Chase d'Arnaud, ss/2b
Not having his best year, but profiles as a steady middle infielder.
10. Rudy Owens, lhp
He keeps succeeding with very good command of fringy stuff.

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