Please keep in mind that this list should look very different from next years list.
Why so?
Well,the top three players should be in Pittsburgh and hopefully some talent can be infused into the system with possible trades of some,most or all of Jason Bay,Xavier Nady,Jack Wilson and Damaso Marte.
Not to mention the second pick of June's draft.
Talent that is desperately needed by the way.
11:Brad Corley OF
Corley is currently at AA Altoona and needs a big season to show that he is
a true prospect.The question with Corley is the same as it was on last years list-plate discipline.
AA baseball is usually the line in the sand on true prospect level and Brad will find that the pitching improves here as well,so the adjustments will need to be made here.
Corley has a strong arm and will be not a liability in right,but the key is how he handles the higher level of pitching.
12:Shelby Ford 2b
Ford is currently on the disabled list at AA Altoona.
The Pirates have fast tracked Shelby since his surprise 3rd round selection in the 2006 draft.
Some lists have him higher than I do,but it is beginning to look like he is injury-prone and his defense is average at best.
The biggest problem that Ford has is that Freddy Sanchez may have him blocked at second,as Sanchez is the one Pirate position player that seems to be around long term.
Ford has some nice pop in his bat and needs it as his offense will have to carry the day.
13:Andrew Walker C
Walker just started his season at Low A Hickory after a minor spring training injury.
Walker played well at State College and considering his college experience at TCU,a fast start in the SAL could land him in Lynchburg by mid-season.
Walker could be the Pirates top all around catching prospect in years considering that the Pirates have produced hitters with limited defensive skills or defensive standouts with weak bats.
Walker could be on the fast track considering the systems weak catchers since the move of Neil Walker to third base.
14:Tony Watson LHP
Watson was surprisingly started at Lynchburg after his 9th round selecti
on from Nebraska in last years draft.I figured if the Pirates were going to have a pitcher skip Hickory that it would be Duke Welker,but it was Watson who not only skipped the SAL,but was given the opening night start for the Hillcats.
Watson never broke 87 MPH on that night,was knocked from the game in less than four innings and appeared to have fringy stuff.
Tony struggled with his slider on that night and seemed to have his problems build off that.
There does not appear to be much margin for error with Watson,who looks like he will have to have excellent command or looks to a lefty long man in the future.
15:Jared Hughes RHP
I am a little higher on Hughes than some,but I think he is beginning to revert to the form that saw him as one of the top high school pitchers of his year.
Hughes does not throw overwhelmingly hard,but uses his height and delivery to be somewhat deceptive to hitters.
Hughes does need a big year at Lynchburg after good,but not great years at Williamsport and Hickory.
Bonus Sleeper
Marcus Davis OF
I liked Davis when I saw him at State College last season and kept an eye on where he would be assigned in the system this season.
He was assigned to Low A Hickory,which was somewhat good news.
Anytime that you spend time in State College and stay in extended spring training instead of going to Hickory is bad news.
Davis led the Spikes in homers,but only hit .232.
Marcus is loaded with tools,but will need to make contact consistently in order to progress up the ladder.
Photo Credits
Corley:Joy Absalon MLB.com
Ford:Unknown
Walker:TCU
Watson:Nebraska
Hughes:John Setzler Jr.
Davis:The Daily Collegian
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