9.) Kyle McPherson--RHP--23: McPherson was a surprise addition to the 40-man roster last offseason, mainly because he never had great success at any level. However, it has worked out pretty well for the Pirates. McPherson started the season in high-A, and had great numbers, with a 2.89 ERA and 0.95 WHIP. The stat that really stands out to me was that for every batter he walked, he struck out ten. His strikeout numbers were above average, but weren’t dominant, and that just shows how few walks he issued. These low walk totals allowed him to have such a great WHIP, which is 1.07 throughout his minor league career. After 12 starts in Bradenton, he was promoted to Altoona and didn’t miss a beat. He finished his time in Altoona with 3.02 ERA and 1.07 WHIP, and his strikeout numbers improved as well. His fastball is generally thrown at 92-93 MPH but can go higher, and his curve and change are average pitches. However, when you add the control and command that he has, you’re going to get good results even with average pitches. He made 16 starts for Altoona in 2011, so that should give him enough experience to be able to move up to Indianapolis to start 2012, and he could be up in the majors sometime during the middle of the season.
OFP: 60 (Mid-Rotation Starter)
8.) Robbie Grossman--OF--22: Coming into the 2008 draft, Grossman was thought to be a possible supplemental round pick (usually around picks in the mid 30’s to somewhere in the 50’s) as a switch-hitting outfielder out of high school. The Pirates were able to get him in the 6th round because of a college commitment and his some of his skills were said to be getting worse. He was signed for above-slot money, getting $1 million. Until 2011, Grossman was thought to be a disappointment because he was not hitting well, he was striking out to much, and he was not showing any of the power potential that he was said to have. However, he had a breakout season in 2011, hitting for a .294/.418/.451 line with a .869 OPS, and he became the first minor leaguer to score over 100 runs and draw over 100 walks in a season since Nick Swisher did it in 2004, leading all of minor league baseball in both of those categories. Another encouraging sign from his season was the power he displayed for the first time, hitting for 13 home runs and 34 doubles, both being bests for him. But, all of his success this year came in his second year at this level, so it will be interesting to see if he can continue his success in 2012 with Altoona. Grossman has above average speed and can play center, but will probably end up as a corner outfielder, so it would be nice to see his power continue to develop.
8.) Robbie Grossman--OF--22: Coming into the 2008 draft, Grossman was thought to be a possible supplemental round pick (usually around picks in the mid 30’s to somewhere in the 50’s) as a switch-hitting outfielder out of high school. The Pirates were able to get him in the 6th round because of a college commitment and his some of his skills were said to be getting worse. He was signed for above-slot money, getting $1 million. Until 2011, Grossman was thought to be a disappointment because he was not hitting well, he was striking out to much, and he was not showing any of the power potential that he was said to have. However, he had a breakout season in 2011, hitting for a .294/.418/.451 line with a .869 OPS, and he became the first minor leaguer to score over 100 runs and draw over 100 walks in a season since Nick Swisher did it in 2004, leading all of minor league baseball in both of those categories. Another encouraging sign from his season was the power he displayed for the first time, hitting for 13 home runs and 34 doubles, both being bests for him. But, all of his success this year came in his second year at this level, so it will be interesting to see if he can continue his success in 2012 with Altoona. Grossman has above average speed and can play center, but will probably end up as a corner outfielder, so it would be nice to see his power continue to develop.
OFP: 58 (Solid, Everyday Regular)
7.) Tony Sanchez--C--23: I am a little hesitant to put Sanchez this high on the rankings because of his disastrous 2011 season, but I still believe he deserves this spot. He came into the season as Baseball America’s #46 prospect in baseball, and Pittsburgh fans were hoping he could move up to Indianapolis mid-season and be in position to start 2012 with the major league club, or at least be ready by June. But, none of that happened. Instead, Sanchez struggled immensely at the plate, with a .241 average and .658 OPS, and showed no signs of coming out of his season long slump. He showed none of the power that he had displayed in the past, and actually had a lower slugging percentage than on-base percentage, at .318. This is not something that you want to see from a 23 year-old who came from college and was drafted #4 overall. Despite all this, Sanchez is still a good prospect to keep an eye on. He has shown a lot of offensive potential in his first two seasons with the organization, and he still has shown that he can be an above average defensive catcher in the majors. Its hard to imagine Sanchez not making the majors at some time in his career, even if he continues his offensive struggles, mainly because of his defensive ability. Catchers are very valuable at the major league level, and if Sanchez can start to hit again and continue his defense, he has the potential to be an above average catcher in the majors, and possibly an All-Star. But for this to happen, he has to begin to hit the ball well again. Sanchez should start 2012 in AA, but may begin in AAA because Ramon Cabrera and Carlos Paulino both deserve promotions to AA, and both are catchers.
OFP: 60 (Solid, Everyday Regular)
7.) Tony Sanchez--C--23: I am a little hesitant to put Sanchez this high on the rankings because of his disastrous 2011 season, but I still believe he deserves this spot. He came into the season as Baseball America’s #46 prospect in baseball, and Pittsburgh fans were hoping he could move up to Indianapolis mid-season and be in position to start 2012 with the major league club, or at least be ready by June. But, none of that happened. Instead, Sanchez struggled immensely at the plate, with a .241 average and .658 OPS, and showed no signs of coming out of his season long slump. He showed none of the power that he had displayed in the past, and actually had a lower slugging percentage than on-base percentage, at .318. This is not something that you want to see from a 23 year-old who came from college and was drafted #4 overall. Despite all this, Sanchez is still a good prospect to keep an eye on. He has shown a lot of offensive potential in his first two seasons with the organization, and he still has shown that he can be an above average defensive catcher in the majors. Its hard to imagine Sanchez not making the majors at some time in his career, even if he continues his offensive struggles, mainly because of his defensive ability. Catchers are very valuable at the major league level, and if Sanchez can start to hit again and continue his defense, he has the potential to be an above average catcher in the majors, and possibly an All-Star. But for this to happen, he has to begin to hit the ball well again. Sanchez should start 2012 in AA, but may begin in AAA because Ramon Cabrera and Carlos Paulino both deserve promotions to AA, and both are catchers.
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