Balls, Bulls, Bears!

Kevin Goldstein takes a look at Pittsburgh’s Top-Prospect list. The Pirates have improved ten-fold since Huntington took office. Here’s Basbeall Prospectus’ look at the Pirates’ system:

Five-Star Prospects
1. Pedro Alvarez, 3B
Four-Star Prospects
2. , C
3. , OF
Three-Star Prospects
4. Starling Marte, OF
5. Chase D’Arnaud, SS
6. , RHP
7. , OF
8. Colton Cain, LHP
9. Rudy Owens, LHP
10. Zack Von Rosenberg, RHP
Two-Star Prospects
11. , RHP

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Marc Hulet of Fangraphs takes the time to examine the wonderful work done by Pirates’ GM, Neal Huntington.

Huntington has had two very solid drafts in a row, opting for top-tier talent last year in Pedro Alvarez and quantity over quality this year. Two solid approaches, two very good drafts.

While was an overdraft to save some coin, he impressed in his pro debut.

1. Pedro Alvarez, 3B, High-A
DOB: February 1987 Bats: L Throws: R
Signed: 2008 1st round – Vanderbilt University
MLB ETA: Mid-2010 40-Man Roster: Yes Options: 2

2. , RHP, Double-A
DOB: May 1985 Bats: L Throws: R
Signed: 2006 1st round – University of Houston
MLB ETA: Mid-2010 40-Man Roster: Yes Options: 3
Repertoire: 90-95 mph fastball, curveball, change-up

3. , OF, Triple-A
DOB: August 1988 Bats: R Throws: R
Signed: 2005 non-drafted international free agent (Venezuela – New York Yankees)
MLB ETA: Mid-2010 40-Man Roster: Yes Options: 3

4. , RHP, Double-A
DOB: November 1988 Bats: R Throws: R
Signed: 2007 1st round – Arizona HS (San Francisco Giants)
MLB ETA: Mid-2010 40-Man Roster: No Options: 3
Repertoire: 86-92 mph fastball, plus curveball, change-up

5. , LHP, High-A
DOB: November 1987 Bats: L Throws: L
Signed: 2006 2nd round – New Hampshire HS (Atlanta Braves)
MLB ETA: 40-Man Roster: Options:
Repertoire: 89-93 mph fastball, curveball, change-up

6. Chase D’Arnaud, SS, High-A
DOB: January 1987 Bats: R Throws: R
Signed: 2008 4th round – Pepperdine University
MLB ETA: Mid-2011 40-Man Roster: No Options: 3

7. Rudy Owens, LHP, Low-A
DOB: December 1987 Bats: L Throws: L
Signed: 2006 28th round – Arizona HS
MLB ETA: Mid-2012 40-Man Roster: No Options: 3
Repertoire: 86-90 mph fastball, curveball, plus change-up

8. Starling Marte, OF, Low-A
DOB: October 1988 Bats: R Throws: R
Signed: 2007 non-drafted international free agent (Dominican Republic)
MLB ETA: Late-2012 40-Man Roster: No Options: 3

9. , OF, High-A
DOB: September 1987 Bats: R Throws: R
Signed: 2007 non-drafted international free agent (Venezuela – Atlanta Braves)
MLB ETA: Mid-2011 40-Man Roster: Yes Options: 3

10. , RHP, Rookie Ball
DOB: November 1989 Bats: R Throws: R
Signed: 2008 20th round – New Jersey HS
MLB ETA: Mid-2013 40-Man Roster: No Options: 3
Repertoire: 88-94 mph fastball, slider, change-up

John Sickels puts together his list of Top-20 Pittsburgh Pirates prospects over at minorleagueball.com

1) Pedro Alvarez, 3B, Grade A
2) , OF, Grade B
3) , C, Grade B
4) Zack Von Rosenberg, RHP, Grade B-
5) , RHP, Grade B-
6) , RHP, Grade C+
7) Chase D’arnaud, INF, Grade C+
8) Starling Marte, OF, Grade C+
9) Rudy Owens, LHP, Grade C+
10) Ronald Uviedo, RHP, Grade C+

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John Perrotto had the pleasure of drawing up one of the more interesting systems in the league. Alvarez appears to be healthy and Tabata still makes scouts drool with his ceiling rather than his fists.

Recently acquired ’s in the midst of a free-fall, but there’s no reason he can’t return to his SF form.

. Pedro Alvarez, 3b
2. , of
3. , c
4. , rhp
5. Chase D’Arnaud, ss/2b

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