Anchors Aweigh!- A Pittsburgh Pirates Franchise

[royals19]

As many people know, I just finished up my Padres season. Don't worry, I will continue to go with that one but I don't like being tied down to one team too long. I like to mix it up.

So while I take a break from that, I will roll with the Pirates and Royals.

[royals19]

Rosters- Scott's
Sliders- TNK's realism sliders
30 Team control- On
Injuries- On
Ignore Budgets- on
Hitting Difficulty- Legend
Pitching Difficulty- Legend

2011

2011 started out as a very good year for the Pirates and were in contention for much of the season. However, after a botched call at home plate during a Braves game, the wheels completely fell off and they finished the year 69-92. The season wasn't a complete loss however. Andrew McCutchen finally emerged as a 5 tool talent and some of the Pirates young talents got their feet wet and experienced some success.

2012 and Beyond

The Pirates bolstered their rotation with acquisition of the hot-headed AJ Burnett and extended Andrew McCutchen. For 2012, the Pirates have most of their key pieces in place but need them to get more seasoned. This year will hopefully bring the emergence of Joel Hannrahan, Pedro Alvarez and Neil Walker. Those 3 are going to the core of this organization for years to come and its imperative they reach their ceilings.

If we delve into the Pirates farm system, we find multiple top talents that represent the Future of the Pirates organization. Guys like Starling Marte, Josh Bell and Tony Sanchez will anchor the lineup along side the Pirates young Major League talents. But the real story here is the unbeatable duo of Gerrit Cole and Jameson Taillon who represent the pitching depth the Pirates organization has. The success of the Organization will depend on these prospects and future ones as the Pirates seek to build a talented, yet affordable team that can compete non stop.

[royals19]

Overview- The Pirates have one of the premier farm systems in baseball. They have multiple position prospects who have the ability to be stars at the major league level. However, the future of their organization is built around the duo of Gerrit Cole and Jameson Taillon. After the stars and stud pitchers, you have a long line of solid pitchers and position players that will be solid major league regulars. Players that will give your team a chance to win every day just by sheer determination.

So without further adieu, your Top 20 Pirates Prospects for the upcoming 2012 season.

#1-Jameson Taillon-RHSP-ETA-2013

Taillon was a 1st overall talent, no doubt about that but when your in the same draft class as Bryce Harper, the changes things. The Pirates selected Taillon 2nd overall and floated him a 6.5 million dollar signing bonus. The 6'6 Taillon is the complete package when it comes to an ace. He floats 4 plus pitches (fastball, changeup, curveball, slider), good know how for a high school pitching prospect and a durable frame at 6'6. Taillon will start off this year at AA as the down there.

#2-Gerrit Cole-RHSP-ETA-2013

Cole was selected by Pirates 1st overall in the 2011 draft out of UCLA and for good reason. Cole has a durable frame and great pure staff that should translate well to professional baseball. Even though he was a top college arm, he still needs to learn how to pitch and not just rely on overpowering the opposition. He features 3 plus pitches (fastball, changeup and slider) that are Major League ready and all he really needs to do is improve his command and pitchability to be a finished product. He will begin the year in Class A but could be in AAA by the end of the year.

#3-Josh Bell-OF-ETA-2015

Prior to the 2011 draft, Bell sent heart broken letters to every Major League team informing them that he intended to go to college no matter what. All the teams believed him, that is except the Pirates who called his bluff and selected him with their 2nd round pick and forked over a hefty 5 million dollar signing bonus. Bell was widely considered the most advanced high school bat in the draft and it looks like the Pirates got the steal of the draft. Bell is a great athlete and an even better ball player. He is going to be a 5 tool player but its all a matter of harnessing those raw tools and putting them together. Bell will begin the year alongside Gerrit Cole in Class A to kick of the season.

#4-Starling Marte-OF-ETA-2012

The Pirates signed Marte out of the Dominican in 2007 knowing that the tools were good but didn't realize that they would be this good. Marte is a 5 tool player that can spray the ball to all parts of the field and capitalize on it with his blazing speed. In order to reach his ceiling however, Marte needs to improve his power tool. Even if he doesn't, he is still going to be a great player for years to come. He has played center since coming into the organization but he is now going to be tested at the corner positions to avoid the Andrew McCutchen road block. He is going to go to Spring Training this year and try to win a spot.

#5-Luis Heredia-RHSP-ETA-2015

Heredia is another one of the top arms the Pirates possess. He was signed at age 16 and is still pretty raw but there is plenty of time for him to come along as he is just 18 entering this season. Heredia stands at 6'6 and has an overpowering fastball he compliments with a plus curve and changeup. If he can really develope those two secondary offerings he will be a member of the Pirates rotation for years to come. He will start of the year with our Class A affiliate and could eventually end the season at AA.

#6-Tony Sanchez-C-ETA-2013

Sanchez was selected 4th overall in the 2009 draft for the plus tools he provided behind the plate as a catcher. He hits the ball hard and will drive it a long way occasionally but he is a rare breed of catcher. One that will hit for a high average but not for a lot of power. His defense however is what has earned him this spot in the top 20. He handles a pitching staff well and is great situationally. Because he faultered in AA last year, we are going to keep him there to handle Taillon and eventually Cole and Heredia and they will move through the system together but if he wants that to happen, he really needs to show how bad he wants it this year.

#7-Justin Wilson-LHSP-ETA-2012

The Pirates selected Wilson in the 5th round of the 2008 draft. He has moved slowly and is starting the get a little old for a prospect but if the Pirates stick with him, the return could be great. He has posted good strikeout numbers and good walk numbers throughout his career primarily due to his raw stuff. Wilson is really going to get pushed this year and will start the year of in AAA. If he doesn't crack the Majors this year, he will probably be moved to the bullpen.

#8-Kyle McPherson-RHSP-ETA-2012

The Pirates have stood by McPherson since they drafted him in 2007 and it looks like its about to pay off. McPherson has shown good ability to keep the ball on the ground and get the outs when he needs to. He has also developed the ability to strikeout hitters on command which will come in handy this season when he cracks the big leagues. But just like Wilson, its now or never. He will be given a starting spot in AAA to start the year if he doesn't make the team out of Spring Training.

#9-Jeff Locke-LHP-ETA-2012

Locke was originally drafted by the Braves in 2006, but came over in the Nate McLouth deal. He cracked the Majors for the 1st time last year but he is starting to get older and the Pirates need to evaluate what they have in this arm. He commands all his pitches very well and has great control but a lack of "wow" stuff that would set him apart from the other prospects. Locke will be given a chance to break camp this year with the big league squad.

#10-Alex Dickerson-1B-ETA-2014

Selected in the third round of the 2011 draft, Dickerson was the 2nd best 1st base prospect in that draft. He has definitely flashed the tools that will make him successful at 1st, the big bat and the great glove. He will need to average tool and power tool however to develop much more before he can crack the big leagues. The Pirates are in no hurry so he will start off in Class A and eventually play in AA as the season wears on.

#11-Nick Kingham-RHSP-ETA-2015

Selected in the 2010 draft as part of high school arms focus that year, Kingham had good raw tools and stuff that can make him an elite pitching prospect. He is still just 20 and has plenty of time to harness those tools. Best case scenario, the Pirates have 3 aces. Worst case scenario, he moves to the bullpen. He will start out this season in AA with fellow 2010er Jameson Taillon.

#12-Bryan Morris-RHSP-ETA-2012

Another one of the Pirates older arms. Just like the rest, he needs to show that he can stick in the Majors as a starter. He has some good tools but they have been inconsistent up to this point. He may be in for a move to the bullpen this year after a short stint there last year opened many eyes. He will start in AAA this year and will get a chance to win a rotation spot.

#13-Zack Von Rosenberg-RHSP-ETA-2015

Originally thought to be the next Colten Cain, he has yet to develop to that point but with the season he had last year, there is no reason to think he won't reach that level. He can command all his pitches for strikes and change speeds well. If the Pirates stick with him, the payoff could be huge. He will get a chance to play in AA this year.

#14-Alen Hanson-2B/SS-ETA-2015

Hanson is pretty advanced at the plate for a 19 year old and is a lot like Josh Bell but lacks the overall of the other tools right now. He has all the potential in the world but needs to get stronger if he wants to continue to move through the Minors. Therefore, he will start out in A ball this year.

#15-Clay Holmes-RHSP-ETA-2016

Another 2011 pick that fell because of sign-ability concerns. He is much like Jameson Taillon at this point with his size and pitches right now. He is definitely a project but if the Pirates stick with him, he could be a great gem from the third round. He will start off 2012 in Class A.

#16-Jarek Cunningham-2B-ETA-2016
#17-Gregory Polanco-OF-ETA-2015
#18-Victor Black-RHSP-ETA-2013
#19-Brock Holt-SS/2B-ETA-2013
#20-Willy Garcia-OF-ETA-2016