Pittsburgh Pirates top prospects 1-5

Better late than never for our looks at the Pirates system and their top 15 prospects.

The list was compiled before the season,but just now being posted.
Keep in mind,that the first six weeks of the 2013 season had no bearing on the ratings....

1) Jameson Taillon RHP
For the second straight season,I rank Taillon ahead of Gerrit Cole in our rankings.
Most have that ranking reversed,but to me,I see Taillon as a pitcher that has the ability to pitch and yet still throw hard.
Taillon's curve ranks with the best in minor league baseball and with his ability to hit the high 90's with the fastball shows the chance for Taillon to be an elite starter.
Taillon's quick start at AA Altoona was curtailed a bit with a liner off his leg,but as long as the injury does not cause him to miss significant time,Taillon should hit AAA Indianapolis by mid-season and maybe the odd chance of a September debut with the Pirates.
Taillon has a chance of being in next season's rotation,but may not arrive until mid season.....

2) Gerrit Cole RHP
The number one pick in the 2011 draft,Cole can hit the 100 MPH mark and can remind observers of being a number one starter when he is on.
I can see Cole having three pitches (slider and change) that are of high quality and I would not be surprised a bit to see him progress to that level.
Cole does get hit more than he should and I just can't shake the feeling that he might be more Kris Benson than Justin Verlander.
After a rough first two starts at AAA Indianapolis,Cole has been tremendous since and looks to be ready for the Pirates sometime in the next six to eight weeks...

3) Gregory Polanco OF
One of two breakout players last season at low A West Virginia,Polanco developed power last season with 16 HR's and turned from an toolsy athlete that lacked power to a five tool player with some performance to back up potential.
The line for Polanco at West Virginia is stunning .325 average,16 HR's,85 RBI,40 steals and an over .900 OPS.
For a player to compile that stat line after playing a mere three games above the rookie level makes that even more surprising.
The lefty swinger still has work to do,but if he can come anywhere near the performance at High A Bradenton this season,Polanco will likely rank among the best prospects in the game-not just the Pirates system.

4) Alen Hanson SS
Hanson's 2012 showed parallels to Polanco as he entered the season having played just three games above rookie level and his line was similar with an average above .300,16 homers,35 steals and an above .900 OPS.
The difference between the two was plate discipline as Hanson struck out over one hundred times.
Hanson also committed 40 errors,so if he is to stay at shortstop,the fielding will have to improve.
Hanson would clearly has more value if he is to stay at short,so improvement at High A Bradenton will be closely watched...

5) Luis Heredia RHP
The 18 year old was aggressively moved to short season State College last season and responded with a strong sixty plus inning stint that saw opponents hit just .224 against him.
The 6'7 Heredia still has plenty of work to do with his off speed pitches and he didn't strike out a ton last season (40 ),but considering his age against the competition,the Pirates had to be pleased.
Pittsburgh decided to keep Heredia in Florida in the colder spring weather,but will likely move Heredia to Low A West Virginia sometime in late May when the weather warms for good.....