Saturday, May 18, 2013

Pittsburgh Pirates Top Prospects 6-10

Our Pirates prospects series continues with a post covering six through ten in the Pittsburgh system....

6) Josh Bell-OF
Bell might be remembered whether he pans out or not for being the player that changed the draft system when he signed a huge contract after telling teams that he was going to college and not to draft him.
Bell's first season at Low A West Virginia didn't last long as he suffered a season ending knee injury after just 15 games.
Bell projects to have plus power and hits from both sides of the plate and is easily the best power prospect in the system.
Bell should spend the season back in Charleston with the Power....

7) Clay Holmes RHP
The system drops off considerably after Bell and you could shake the 7-15 prospects in a bag and come up with an order that is just as plausible as mine.
That is how the system lies right now.
Holmes had an excellent season at State College with an ERA of 2.28,but walked almost as many as he struck out.
That's a warning sign to me,but Holmes did all one could ask for at the short season level.
Holmes throws in the low 90's and uses a slider as his off pitch.
Holmes is currently with Low A West Virginia...

8) Barrett Barnes OF
Barnes was a sandwich pick in last years draft,but started slow in State College before hitting his stride for a few weeks and then suffering a season ending injury.
Barnes missed the first month of the season and then was injured again after joining Low A West Virginia.
Barnes has good power for a centerfielder and draws plenty of walks,although he strikes out a lot as well.
An unfinished product,Barnes is somewhat raw,but could make the Pirates potentially strong at center with Barnes and Gregory Polanco....

9) Tyler Glasnow RHP
The 6'7 Glasnow was downright dominant in the GCL last season with an ERA under two and opponents hit under .200 against him.
The Pirates often take pitchers that they project to grow into a prospect and hop they pan out.
Glasnow might be the first one that they hit on as he added MPH to his fastball and the Pirates responded with an aggressive move to Low A West Virginia.
Glasnow throws a slider and curve and may have to scrap one of them over the long term,but Glasgow might have the ability to make page one of next years list.....

10) Alex Dickerson 1B/OF
Dickerson was one of the better college bats in the 2011 draft and looked to be a high average hitter with average power.
That is about how it turned out for Dickerson at High A Bradenton,where he hit near .300 with 13 homers.
Dickerson's bat will have to carry him as he doesn't run especially well or field at a high level,so the bat is his one plus tool.
My concern with Dickerson is the lack of power as he might turn out to be a nice platoon player or pinch hitter without that tool.
Dickerson is currently at AA Altoona....

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