Pirates in the system

With the minor league season about to kick off tomorrow,here is a quick look at the Pirates farm system and where players of interest will be starting.
This is not to be confused with our top 15 series that will start soon....

The AAA Indianapolis Indians look interesting for the first time in a while as they have some prospects for a change.
Often times,AAA teams are sprinkled with prospects on a roster filled with 4A players or players that are ready to be the 25th man on the parent roster in case of injury.
However,the I-Tribe has the Pirates top two hitting prospects in third baseman Pedro Alvarez and outfielder Jose Tabata along with their closest to major league ready pitching prospect in Brad Lincoln.
Alvarez and Lincoln could be Pirates as soon as late June,while the Pirates would prefer to see Tabata put more time in at Indianapolis before a possible September (or earlier) callup.
Indianapolis also has Donald Veal in their rotation after a dominating season in the Arizona Fall League and Craig Hansen is in the bullpen in an attempt to save his career from Parsonage-Turner Syndrome,a rare nerve disorder.
Other Indians of note include Argenis Diaz,who will be the starting shortstop in his first full year in the organization,while Brandon Moss,Steve Pearce and Neil Walker get what seems to be their last chance to show that they have a future with the Pirates.

The double A Altoona Curve looks to be the team that might be the weakest team as far as prospects go,most certainly as far as position players go.
The two that stand out are shortstop Chase D'Arnaud and outfielder Gorkys Hernandez,who was acquired in the Nate McLouth deal last year and didn't exactly set the Eastern League ablaze.
D'Arnaud had a solid year last season splitting time between low A West Virginia and high A Lynchburg and moved ahead of fellow draftee Jordy Mercer in the shortstop prospect pecking order.Mercer will be the third baseman for the Curve this season.
The Curve website has D'Arnaud at 2nd,Mercer at short and Josh Harrison,a mid season pickup from the Cubs at third,but I wouldn't think that it is how it will play out.
The website also has Shelby Ford returning to the team as a backup outfielder.
Two pitchers stand out in Tim Alderson and Rudy Owens.
Alderson was obtained from the Giants for Freddy Sanchez and despite solid numbers,some have soured on him after a drop in velocity.
Alderson thinks that some mechanical changes forced upon him by the Giants caused the drop and a return to his mechanics will enable his return to form.
Altoona was an aggressive move for Owens,who was dominant in West Virginia,but had only a few starts in High A and will be interesting to watch.
Other pitchers to watch are Justin Wilson,who finished the season strong at Lynchburg and Daniel Moskos,who is being sent to the bullpen in an attempt to salvage his career.

The Bradenton Marauders are the new home for the High A Pirates (Sniffle),but they do feature a cool hat that I am likely to buy.
Bradenton's top position prospect is first round catcher Tony Sanchez,who exceeded my expectations last season at West Virginia after signing.
Look for Sanchez to be in Altoona by mid season as long he hits reasonably well.
The infield looks a little weaker as far as prospects go although shortstop Brock Holt will be skipping West Virginia after a season at State College,so keep an eye on him.
The outfield is a different story with prospects around the grass ranging from very good to good to keep an eye on in Starling Marte,Robbie Grossman and Quincy Latimore.
Marte played very well in 50+ games in West Virginia and could be this season's breakout star.
Marte has five tool potential,although the power is projected for him.
Grossman struck out a lot in the SAL,but draws a lot of walks and shows speed as well.
With better contact,Grossman could move up the prospect lists quickly.
Latimore is a toolsy athlete that shows a ton of raw ability,his numbers were decent enough at West Virginia,but I would not have complained about a return there.
The Marauder staff is filled with arms from the various trades that Neil Huntington has made.Bryan Morris returns after a less than stellar season at the level,but was reported to have had a new attitude in spring training and his performance was improved as well.
The Pirates would love to see a strong six to eight weeks from Morris and move him to Altoona.
Jeff Locke was acquired from the Braves in the McLouth trade and continued his High A struggles.
The power armed lefty could see AA with a strong start in Florida,but might need more time in the FSL.
Former Mariner pitchers Nathan Adcock and Aaron Pribanic are both in Bradenton with the other pitcher in the Jack Wilson trade scheduled to be assigned there after he is off the DL (Brett Lorin)and are worth looking in on.

The West Virginia Power round out the full season teams with quite a few interesting players to watch.
The top player is shortstop Jarek Cunningham,who killed the ball in the GCL in 2008 following his draft day,but tore an ACL and missed all of the 2009 season.
Cunningham was reported to be headed to Bradenton,but a last minute decision apparently flipped Cunningham with Brock Holt.
If the Pirates were even thinking about that type of move with a player that never played in Low A and missed a season,that shows how highly Cunningham is thought of by the Pirate brass.
The Power comes to Hagerstown in mid May,Cunningham may not be there with them,if he hits well early.
Third baseman Jesus Brito arrived from Cleveland after being traded for Brian Bixler.
Some Indians fans were quite upset about losing Brito,whos numbers in the Arizona and NY/Penn leagues were excellent.
The outfielders are intriguing with 2008 draftee Wesley Freeman,who was signed for well over his slot,2009 third rounder Evan Chambers and Rogelios Noris,who seems to be a little behind in his development from Mexico,but looks to have good power.
Chambers and Freeman were looked at as center field prospects,but one will have to move,Wilbur Miller says it will be Freeman going to right.
Quinton Miller returns among the arms,after an encouraging two months with the Power last season.Miller made two starts at State College and moved to West Virginia and I thought looked strong in his start here in Hagerstown.
2009 draftee Jeff Inman was paid over slot to leave Stanford and has just four State College innings to his pro stats.
Inman was thought to be a first rounder before a struggle in his final season in college,but Wilbur reports that he was throwing in the mid-90's in spring training,so he looks to be fine physically.
Other than 2009 5th round lefty Nate Baker from Ole Miss and Hunter Strickland,who returns to low A after arriving in the Adam LaRoche deal, nothing else really excites me here.

The system continues to grow and improve and looking at this group is enough to give Pirates fans some hesitant hope for the future,even if that future is down the road a stretch.