We are a little over a month into the minor league season, and it is time for the May version of my top 15 prospects in the Pirates system. As I just stated, we are only a month into the season, so performance shouldn't be a big factor in these rankings, but it cannot be ignored. Some players are going to be over-performing, some will be under-performing, and some will be meeting expectations. Other players, like Justin Wilson and Bryan Morris, have graduated to the majors, while prospects like Gerrit Cole, Jordy Mercer, and Victor Black have taken a lot of steps forward to becoming full time major leaguers. With that being said, let's take a look at my May version of the top 15 prospects in the Pirates system.
2013 preview rankings in parenthesis
1) Gerrit Cole--RHP--22--AAA (1)
Cole has a very good ERA this year at 2.23, but there have been concerns about his walk rate, which is currently at 4.7 BB/9, and his strikeout rate, which is at 6.4 K/9. Still, Cole boasts the best arsenal of pitches in all of minor league baseball, and possesses good control, so those numbers will improve. We should see Cole move up to Pittsburgh sometime in June.
2) Jameson Taillon--RHP--21--AA (2)
Taillon has put up good numbers across the board this year, with an ERA of 3.26, a 1.29 WHIP, 9.1 K/9, and a 3.0 BB/9. With a plus fastball and plus curve, Taillon can improve on those numbers and should be up in Indianapolis at some point this season. It is doubtful Taillon will see any time in Pittsburgh this year.
3) Luis Heredia--RHP--18--A (3)
Heredia has yet to pitch this year in games that count, as the Pirates have held him in extended spring training. It is mid-May now, so we should see Heredia begin his career in low-A soon enough. With a potential plus fastball, curve, and change, Heredia has an enormous upside.
4) Gregory Polanco--OF--21--A+ (4)
Polanco has had a pretty similar season so far as he did last year, with his strikeout and walk rates almost identical to what they were in 2012. He's hitting the ball hard consistently, getting on base at a good rate, and is taking advantage when he is on base, with 13 steals to this point. A potential 5-tool talent, he could move up to AA at some point this year.
5) Josh Bell--OF--20--A (6)
Bell missed most of the 2012 season with a knee injury, but he has shown that that hasn't really affected him so far. He has put up a batting line of .291/.349/.515, with an OPS of .864, six home runs, and 34 RBI in 134 at bats. Bell has potential plus power from both sides of the plate along with the ability to hit for a good average and get on base, but may stay in low-A for most, if not all, of the 2013 season.
6) Alen Hanson--SS--20--A+ (5)
Hanson broke into the top prospect scene after a great April last year, but has not gotten off to a similar hot start in 2012. After 135 at bats, he has an OPS of .643, displaying none of the power that he showed last year. He also has struggled at shortstop, starting the year with ten errors in his first ten games. But, it is still early in the season and Hanson has plenty of time to pick up his game. As the best shortstop prospect in the system, Pirates fans hope he picks it up very soon.
7) Tyler Glasnow--RHP--19--A (12)
Glasnow came into the year as one of my potential breakout prospects after a good 2012 season in rookie ball, and he has carried that performance into 2013. He has an ERA of 1.80, 1.12 WHIP, and an 11.9 K/9 in 25 IP. Those are great numbers, but he has struggled with his control so far, with a 6.1 BB/9. If he can harness his control, he could be top prospect with a plus fastball and plus curve.
8) Nick Kingham--RHP--21--A+ (11)
Kingham has gotten off to a great start in 2013, with a 2.95 ERA in 39.2 IP. The most impressive part of his season is his 6.71 K:BB ratio, showing great command and control of his pitches. With a potential for three above average pitches, we could see Kingham move up to AA midway through the year.
9) Kyle McPherson--RHP--25--AAA (7)
McPherson battled for a spot in the major league rotation to begin the year, but is now battling injury and is currently on the AAA DL. He has an upside of a number three starter, but at this point it is more likely he will be a number four or five starter. He should get some time in the majors this year if he is healthy, and that could be in the rotation or out of the bullpen.
10) Barrett Barnes--OF--21--A (8)
Barnes is another player that has battled injuries for most of the season to this point, as he is also currently on the DL. He didn't do much with the bat when he did play, but has the potential to be a good power/speed player who could hit 20-25 homers a year with 20-25 stolen bases.
11) Tony Sanchez--C--25--AAA (14)
The former first round pick looks like he is finally getting back into his offensive groove, with an OPS of .829 so far in AAA this year, albeit in 78 at bats. The power has been there so far with a .449 slugging percentage, which has been a major concern over the past few years. Defense has never been a problem for Sanchez, so his offense will dictate where he ends up in the future.
12) Stolmy Pimentel--RHP--23--AA (23)
Pimentel has been the best starting pitcher in the Pirates system in 2013, with an ERA of 1.99 in his first seven starts. His ERA was 0.74 after his first six starts, but he allowed six runs in his seventh start. His slider has been very effective this year, and his fastball has been clocked in the mid-high 90's at points, giving him a great two pitch mix. His control hasn't been good, with a 4.6 BB/9, but he's not letting up a lot of hits and keeping his WHIP relatively low, at 1.25. The Pirates may keep him in AA for more starts, as this will allow him to gain confidence.
13) Victor Black--RHP--25--AAA (19)
Black has emerged as the top relief prospect in the Pirates system, especially with Justin Wilson and Bryan Morris now seemingly full-time major leaguers. Black has a 2.57 ERA in 21 IP, along with a fantastic 13.3 K/9 rate and 1.10 WHIP. He has continued to struggle with his control with a 4.7 BB/9, but he is only allowing 5.1 H/9, so the walks won't hurt him as much. With an upper 90's fastball and plus slider, Black could be a very good closer in the future.
14) Clay Holmes--RHP--20--A (9)
A major question coming into the year was Holmes' control, and he has really struggled with his control this year, with a 7.3 BB/9. He's pairing that bad control with giving up a good amount of hits, with a 9.6 H/9, which has led to an inflated WHIP of 1.87. He's also not striking anyone out, with a 4.9 K/9. He has a good fastball and good slurve, so he will see improvement on those numbers as the season progresses. If he can improve on his control and command, Holmes could be a number two or three starter in the future.
15) Jordy Mercer--SS--26--AAA (18)
In my opinion, if Barmes doesn't pick it up offensively over the next few weeks, Mercer should be getting the majority of starts at shortstop for the Pirates. He is much better offensively than Barmes, and although Barmes is one of the top defensive shortstops in the majors, Mercer is a competent defender as well. He was hitting for a line of .333/.404/.448 in 96 at bats at AAA before being called up, with an .852 OPS. He recently had a two homer game against the Mets, displaying his above average power for a middle infielder. With his offensive ability and defensive ability, he should have no problem handling a starting job in the majors.
Any questions or comments can be sent to me on twitter @mikemaw45 or in the comment section below.
