Sunday, May 19, 2013

Pittsburgh Pirates Top Prospects 11-15

We finish our series on the Pirates prospects with a glance at eleven through fifteen in the system.
I hope to work on the Indians later this week.

11) Tony Sanchez C
The former first round pick in 2009 continues to slide down the list as he seems to find his level.
Sanchez did hit better in Altoona last season with the AA Curve and is off to a good start in Indianapolis,but in each case is seeing a second stint at each level.
Sanchez was not drafted for his bat,but for his arm and defense,neither of which have disappointed.
If Sanchez can hit even to the league average,he could be the starter in 2015 or at least a decent reserve.
That is not what one expects from a fourth overall pick,but some return is better than none....

12) Kyle McPherson RHP
McPherson challenged for a spot in the Pirates rotation,but didn't seem to be recovered from a 2012 shoulder injury.
That looked to be the case as after an assignment to AAA Indianapolis,McPherson was rocked in two bad starts and then headed to the DL until this writing.
McPherson has a plus curve,but the injury issues are beginning to fade his prospect status...

13) Wyatt Mathisen C
Mathisen was the Buccos second round pick last season and was thought to have possibly been a higher pick.
The high school product played shortstop as much as he caught as a prep,so he is a project defensively,but he is strong athletically and should be able to make the transition.
Mathisen's bat is thought to have power potential and could be the Pirates backstop of the future.
Mathisen is currently at Low A West Virginia....

14) Nick Kingham RHP
Kingham has gained velocity since turning pro and finished last season at Low A West Virginia strongly.
Kingham has improved a curve and refines a changeup in his assignment this season to High A Bradenton.
Improvement could see Kingham rise in the rankings next season and be a possible threat to the rotation in 2015...

15) Dilson Herrera SS
Herrera was a high cost signing from Columbia and the only reason that he ranks this low is because I am hesitant to rank international signees with little experience outside of complex baseball.
Herrera hits for average and could develop some power as well.
Herrera may have to move to third eventually,although that is far from a guarantee.
If I had to wager a guess on the player most likely to take the biggest leap in the rankings between 2013 and 2014,Herrera is my pick and might be this season's Alen Hanson as a breakout performer...
Herrera is currently at Low A West Virginia.

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