Life On The Farm: Pittsburgh Pirates (# 18)

Has a system added more prospects in-season in recent memory?

Graduated To Majors: Andrew McCutchen (OF, # 2), Neil Walker (3B, # 6), Luis Cruz (SS, UR), Brian Bixler (2B, # 27), Jason Jaramillo (C, # 28), Robinzon Diaz (C, UR), Daniel McCutchen (SP, # 9), Evan Meek (RP, # 22), Donald Veal (RP, # 26), Dave Davidson (RP, UR, now with Marlins).

The Rest Of The Top 10 (with quick commentary)
Hitters: BA-OBP-SLG, AB, HR-RBI, BB-K, SB-CS
Pitchers: G-GS, W-L, ERA, IP-H-HR-BB-K

1 - Pedro Alvarez: 3B
Hi A: .247-.342-.486, 243, 14-55, 37-70, 1-1
AA: .333-.419-.590, 222, 13-40, 34-59, 1-0
Quick Take: The rare prospect that actually played better at a higher level.

3 - Jose Tabata: OF
AA: .303-.370-.404, 228, 2-25, 20-25, 7-6
AAA: .276-.333-.410, 134, 3-10, 10-18, 4-2
Quick Take: He has continued on schedule to a possible major league cup of coffee next season.

4 - Brad Lincoln: RHP
AA: 13-13, 1-5, 2.28, 75-63-4-18-65
AAA: 12-12, 6-2, 4.70, 61.1-72-7-10-42
Quick Take: Solid full season as this former 1st round pick appears to be back at full strength.

5 - Bryan Morris: RHP
Hi A: 15-15, 4-9, 5.57, 72.2-86-2-34-32
Quick Take: Rough season and apparently had attitude problems to boot.

7 - Jeff Sues: RHP
AA: 40-0. 2-6, 4.46, 78.2-66-7-37-74
AAA: 8-0, 0-0, 6.00, 12-13-1-8-12
Quick Take: Power arm may be ready for the show next season.

8 - Shelby Ford: 2B
AA: .233-.325-.350, 103, 2-17, 12-18, 2-0
AAA: .188-.240-.279, 298, 4-27, 14-58, 8-1
Quick Take: Actually started year in AAA and finished in AA in lost season.

10 - Robbie Grossman: OF
Lo A: .264-.371-.353, 451, 5-40, 75-164, 35-12
Quick Take: A lot of tools and a lot of rawness on display.

AAA: Indianapolis Indians (IL)
Breakout Hitter: Garrett Jones (UL): .307-.348-.502, 277, 12-50, 18-47, 14-4
Disappointing Hitter: Shelby Ford (# 8): Line above.
Breakout Pitcher: Daniel McCutchen (# 9): 24-24, 13-6, 3.47, 142.2-145-10-29-110
Disappointing Pitcher: Jason Davis (UL): 35-7, 0-8, 6.06, 62.1-72-2-36-25
Quick Take: Jones took the Pirates by storm and contended for the ROY. McCutchen threw well enough in Pit to warrant a look, whether as a starter or reliever. Ford ended up back in AA while Davis appears that he will never regain the promise he showed when he was with the Indians.

AA: Altoona Curve (EL)
Breakout Hitter: Pedro Alvarez (# 1): Line above.
Disappointing Hitter: Jamie Romak (# 11): .175-.243-.303, 211, 5-24, 18-66, 1-0
Breakout Pitcher: Brad Lincoln (# 4): Line above.
Disappointing Pitcher: Tim Alderson (# 4 in SF): 7-7, 3-1, 4.66, 38.2-39-4-13-18
Quick Take: Alvarez looks primed to be a half season away. Lincoln will battle for a rotation spot in spring training. Romak ended up back in Hi A where he still struggled. Alderson had higher expectation from me, but that K rate is scary.

Hi A: Lynchburg Hillcats (CL)
Breakout Hitter: Chase D'Arnaud (# 17): .295-.402-.481, 4-26, 30-41, 14-5
Disappointing Hitter: Eddie Prasch (UR): .179-.301-.272, 151, 0-19, 22-40, 1-2
Breakout Pitcher: Matt McSwain (UR): 28-25, 11-8, 3.43, 144.1-162-3-23-64
Disappointing Pitcher: Bryan Morris (# 5): Line above.
Quick Take: D'Arnaud finished the season here after starting in Low A and showed an advanced offensive game for a SS. McSwain was the best of a subpar crop of pitchers. Prasch just hasn't hit since entering pro ball as a 3rd round pick. Morris had setbacks in every manner you could.

Lo A: West Virginia Power (SAL)
Breakout Hitter: Tony Sanchez (UR): .338-.457-.506, 77, 2-20, 11-17, 0-0
Disappointing Hitter: Andrew Walker (UR): .211-.333-.325, 114, 1-13, 20-28, 0-1
Breakout Pitcher: Rudy Owens (UL): 19-19, 10-1, 1.70, 100.2-71-8-15-91
Disappointing Pitcher: Duke Welker (UR): 31-15, 0-11, 5.79, 101-96-7-67-69
Quick Take: Sanchez was a questioned 1st round pick who just hit. Owens came out of nowhere to jump up prospect boards as a lefty. Walker was a repeater who didn't hit and has now been passed on the organization depth chart. Welker is another repeater who actually regressed from last year.

TK's Early 2010 Top 10 Prospects
1) Pedro Alvarez: 3B
Possibly the minors best hitter, likely to debut some point next season.
2) Jose Tabata: CF
4-tool player may join McCutchen in an extremely fast OF.
3) Rudy Owens: LHP
Time to prove it wasn't a fluke.
4) Brad Lincoln: RHP
Former 1st rounder, finally healthy, looks to make MLB debut next season.
5) Tony Sanchez: C
Much maligned 1st rounder looks like a future starting catcher.
6) Jarek Cunningham: 3B
Converted SS looks to debut in full season ball next season.
7) Starling Marte: OF
Dominican signee hit .312-.377-.439 in full-season debut at West Virginia.
8) Zach Von Rosenberg: RHP
6th round pick got over slot to sign with projectable (6'5" 205) body.
9) Trent Stevenson: RHP
7th round pick got over slot to sign with projectable (6'6", 175) body.
10) Robbie Grossman: CF
Talented CF looks to continue put the tools into production.

Dropped From Top 10: Morris (# 5), Sues (# 7), Ford (# 8)

Final Overview: A system that had been terrible looks to be on the right track. Choosing depth over quality, the Pirates have an enviable amount of projectability pitchers and toolsy OF's. As long as the coaching in the minor leagues improves the talent, they are in good shape to end that streak of losing seasons. A system on the upswing.