21.) Jordy Mercer--SS--25: Jordy Mercer is the top shortstop prospect the Pirates have now that Chase D’arnaud is no longer prospect eligible, and is also the closest to the majors. Concerns about Mercer rose last year because his power pretty much disappeared, and that was a big part of his prospect status. Fortunately, his power returned this year, and in a big way. He hit 13 home runs in Altoona before being called up to Indianapolis mid-season, hitting six more at that level, giving him 19 on the year in 491 AB’s. This came after the year where he hit only three in 485 AB’s. If he can continue to hit with some power and keep his OPS around .800, he will have a good chance to be called up next year if the shortstop position needs filled. He will have to battle with D’arnaud at both levels (AAA and MLB) for a spot and playing time. Defensively, he is capable of playing short, but he has also played a lot of second in the past.
OFP: 48 (Bench/Below-Average Regular)
20.) Gorkys Hernandez--CF--24: The best tool that Hernandez possesses, other than his first name, is his fielding ability. He is possibly the best defender in the Pirates system, and one of the best in all of minor league baseball. This alone will allow him to reach the majors, at least as a 4th outfielder that can hit for a decent average. He has good speed, once stealing 54 bases in low-A, but hasn’t stolen more than 21 in a season since. His worst tool is his power, as he only hit one HR in 2011, and only hit two the previous year. This may limit his potential to be an average hitter, but his fielding should give him a chance with the Pirates or another team in the future. (I say “another team” because the Pirates have their outfield set for next year with Presley, McCutchen, and Tabata, and Marte is should be up next year as well. This makes Hernandez expendable in trades.)
20.) Gorkys Hernandez--CF--24: The best tool that Hernandez possesses, other than his first name, is his fielding ability. He is possibly the best defender in the Pirates system, and one of the best in all of minor league baseball. This alone will allow him to reach the majors, at least as a 4th outfielder that can hit for a decent average. He has good speed, once stealing 54 bases in low-A, but hasn’t stolen more than 21 in a season since. His worst tool is his power, as he only hit one HR in 2011, and only hit two the previous year. This may limit his potential to be an average hitter, but his fielding should give him a chance with the Pirates or another team in the future. (I say “another team” because the Pirates have their outfield set for next year with Presley, McCutchen, and Tabata, and Marte is should be up next year as well. This makes Hernandez expendable in trades.)
OFP: 48 (Bench/Below-Average Regular)
19.) Rudy Owens--LHP--23: Owens jumped onto the prospect scene very quickly, but now seems to be fading in many fans’ eyes just as fast. He had a breakout year in 2009 with a 2.10 ERA between low and high-A, and he followed that with another great year in AA in 2010, with a 2.46 ERA. With these stats, he was awarded the Minor League Pitcher of the Year for the Pirates in both seasons. A major reason why he was performing so well was his pinpoint control. He had a combined K/BB ratio of 6.125/1 between 2009-2010, only to see that fall to 2.22/1 this year. That is the main reason of his disappointing year, which resulted in a 5.05 ERA in Indianapolis. A lot of the Pirates’ fan base expected Owens to come up mid-season and help anchor the rotation. Instead, he stayed in AAA and continued to struggle. If he discovers his control and strikeout pitch again, he can help the MLB rotation next year.
OFP: 51 (Bottom of Rotation Starter/Solid Reliever)
19.) Rudy Owens--LHP--23: Owens jumped onto the prospect scene very quickly, but now seems to be fading in many fans’ eyes just as fast. He had a breakout year in 2009 with a 2.10 ERA between low and high-A, and he followed that with another great year in AA in 2010, with a 2.46 ERA. With these stats, he was awarded the Minor League Pitcher of the Year for the Pirates in both seasons. A major reason why he was performing so well was his pinpoint control. He had a combined K/BB ratio of 6.125/1 between 2009-2010, only to see that fall to 2.22/1 this year. That is the main reason of his disappointing year, which resulted in a 5.05 ERA in Indianapolis. A lot of the Pirates’ fan base expected Owens to come up mid-season and help anchor the rotation. Instead, he stayed in AAA and continued to struggle. If he discovers his control and strikeout pitch again, he can help the MLB rotation next year.
OFP: 51 (Bottom of Rotation Starter/Solid Reliever)
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