Pittsburgh Pirates top prospects 1-5

The series finishes here and look for quite a few posts as we look at the Pirates draft,Pirate news and the resignation of Brent Sutter as the New Jersey Devils coach,the list of replacement possibilities and our pick for who we hope it will be....

1) Pedro Alvarez 3B High A Lynchburg
Alvarez has gotten off to a disappointing start at Lynchburg considering the hype last season and despite being the top prospect was not selected to the Carolina League All Star game.
The news isn't all bad,Alvarez's power has been as advertised (10 longballs) and despite a .236 batting average leads the Hillcats in RBI.
But his 11 errors leads the team and he seems to be chunky and slow at third raising red flags.
The Pirates claim the low average is due to Carolina League pitchers not throwing his strikes and that the average will rise against higher caliber pitching.
Here is hoping that happens....

2) Andrew McCutchen OF Pittsburgh
McCutchen will not qualify for this list in the near future,but for now,we will include him.
The speedy outfielder will instantly improve the defense in center over the departed Nate McLouth and should hit for average.
The power portion of McCutchen's game has yet to mature and I don't look for it to change for a while in the big leagues.
McCutchen's upside could be a .300 hitter with 15 homers and he should be a solid part of the Pirates future.

3) Jose Tabata OF AA Altoona
Tabata has been reduced to spare part action with hamstring problems that caused him to miss the entire month of May and leave his return game after just two at bats with more issues.
Tabata had been thought to be the likely choice for Andrew McCutchen at AAA Indianapolis when McCutchen was inevitably called up,but the hamstring ruined those plans.
Tabata has been a centerfielder for his career,but his profile is of a corner outfielder in Pittsburgh as his arm will play in right and the hope is for his power to develop as he matures.
The tools are there,but two seasons in a row of injury issues have begun to take its toll on Tabata's prospect status....

4) Brad Lincoln RHP AA Altoona
Lincoln could be moved to AAA Indianapolis at any time as Lincoln has dominated the Eastern League in its first half with a 1.95 ERA that paints a more accurate picture than his 1-3 record does.
Lincoln still throws hard even after Tommy John surgery and his power curve could be his best pitch.
Lincoln could see Pittsburgh in September in a cameo appearance,but will more likely arrive in Bradenton for spring training ready to challenge for a spot in the Pirate rotation.

5) Gorkys Hernandez OF AA Altoona
The speedy Hernandez seems to be a bit superfluous when you consider the Pirate wealth of fast running,power lacking outfielders and then think about Hernandez being the key piece of the Nate McLouth trade makes them even more perplexing.
Hernandez hits for high average,but lacks power and seldom walks.
Hernandez is excellent defensively and shows a plus arm.
Could it be that Hernandez was obtained to move him later or are the Pirate really looking at an outfield of McCutchen,Hernandez and Tabata that could struggle to combine 20 homers together early in their career???