2013 OSFM: Pittsburgh Pirates

[seanjeezy]

Re: 2013 OSFM: Pittsburgh Pirates

I agree that B+ is more accurate for Polanco. His swing is unusual and I'm not sure how it will translate to more advanced pitching. He did have 44 walks to his 64 so at WV last season. I'm not too worried about his plate discipline if he continues to show power w/ the bat.

I'd like to see what potential SCEA gave Marte.

I did a pretty optimistic projection for Polanco and he ended up a B+ but he was very close to an A-, maybe 1-2 points off. I had him at ~.285 with ~23 HR's, ~25 steals, mid 80's speed (plus-plus) and 75 fielding (plus).

Hanson is definitely an A- at second base since hitting ability is weighted more compared to SS. I don't know how you're handling guys who are likely to move but I've been giving them their optimal potential.

[vbarletta]

Re: 2013 OSFM: Pittsburgh Pirates

Does anyone here have an early copy to checkout which players made it in? especially the NRI?
For example, Andy Oliver, Lucas May, Ali Solis, Felix Pie, Darren Ford or Brad Hawpe have been in the game before, but since they didn´t play last year, maybe they are not in the game. Sometimes there are exceptions.

[yanksdaniel99]

Re: 2013 OSFM: Pittsburgh Pirates

Does anyone here have an early copy to checkout which players made it in? especially the NRI?
For example, Andy Oliver, Lucas May, Ali Solis, Felix Pie, Darren Ford or Brad Hawpe have been in the game before, but since they didn´t play last year, maybe they are not in the game. Sometimes there are exceptions.

Pretty sure if they didn't play last year, they won't be.

If you wanna check though, Pirates are at 1:25ish: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3c_fT1rpFc

[yanksdaniel99]

Re: 2013 OSFM: Pittsburgh Pirates

I agree that B+ is more accurate for Polanco. His swing is unusual and I'm not sure how it will translate to more advanced pitching. He did have 44 walks to his 64 so at WV last season. I'm not too worried about his plate discipline if he continues to show power w/ the bat.

I'd like to see what potential SCEA gave Marte.

Marte is an A.

For Polanco, I'm kinda on the fence with him. If you really really think he can reach his ceiling, I would go A-.

[vbarletta]

Re: 2013 OSFM: Pittsburgh Pirates

Pretty sure if they didn't play last year, they won't be.

If you wanna check though, Pirates are at 1:25ish: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3c_fT1rpFc

Thxs, just saw it. Just wondering why some players have the electronic photo? Could it be because they are not in the MLB team, meaning that if you switch them to the MLB team, they get their real pic?

[yanksdaniel99]

Re: 2013 OSFM: Pittsburgh Pirates

Thxs, just saw it. Just wondering why some players have the electronic photo? Could it be because they are not in the MLB team, meaning that if you switch them to the MLB team, they get their real pic?

I did not think of that, but that actually makes a ton of sense. Think your on the money with this one. Hope someone with the game can confirm.

[mpejkrm]

Re: 2013 OSFM: Pittsburgh Pirates

Hi guys,

I will be posting the Baseball America scouting reports for our top prospects soon. Stay tuned.

[mpejkrm]

Re: 2013 OSFM: Pittsburgh Pirates

Gerrit Cole, RHP

Background: Cole was a big Yankees fan as a kid growing up in Southern California. In fact, a picture of the then-11-year-old Cole appeared on the front page of the Newark Star-Ledger during the 2001 World Series that showed him holding a sign before Game Six that read "Yankee Fan Today Tomorrow Forever." However, he didn't even negotiate with the Yankees when they took him with the 28th overall pick in 2008 following his senior season at Orange (Calif.) Lutheran High. He and his parents felt he would better served by going to UCLA, where he could mature both physically and socially. He did just that and helped the Bruins reached the finals of the 2010 College World Series. His decision paid off in 2011, as the Pirates made Cole the No. 1 overall selection. Cole signed at the Aug. 15 deadline for a draft-record $8 million bonus and played in the Arizona Fall League before making his official pro debut in 2012. He advanced from high Class A Bradenton to Triple-A Indianapolis and pitched in the Futures Game along the way.

Scouting Report: Cole is a power pitcher with a pair of devastating offerings. He can effortlessly throw his four-seam fastball up to 101 mph, sitting at 96-98 mph and carrying that velocity deep into games. He also throws a two-seamer with sink at 93-95. His slider is a wipeout pitch with very hard tilt and he typically throws it at 88-90 mph, topping out as high as 93. When he stays on top of the slider, it's almost unhittable for righthanders. He also has a solid upper-80s changeup that keeps improving, and he'll mix in an occasional slow curveball for show. In order to become a true ace, Cole will have to make some adjustments. He'll have to keep working on taking a little more off his changeup to get more separation in velocity from his fastball, which would slow down hitters' bats. He also needs to fine-tune his command. He throws strikes fairly consistently, but he gets hit more than he should considering the quality of his stuff because he doesn't locate his pitches with enough precision. Hitters also seem to see the ball well out of Cole's hand. Some scouts are concerned that he has a tendency to drift away from the rubber during his delivery. He's athletic and intelligent, so he should be able to make the necessary mechanical refinements.

The Future: Cole got a taste of Triple-A at the end of last season, pitching once in the regular season and once in the International League playoffs. He'll start the 2013 season back at Indianapolis but it would be no surprise to see him in Pittsburgh's rotation by the all-star break—and probably a bit of a disappointment if he isn't. The Pirates haven't developed a 20-game winner since John Smiley, whom they signed in 1983. Cole draws comparisons to Justin Verlander and certainly has the look of a No. 1 starter who could anchor their rotation for years. He should be a significant upgrade over Pittsburgh's three previous No. 1 overall picks: Jeff King (1986), Kris Benson (1996) and Bryan Bullington (2002).

[mpejkrm]

Re: 2013 OSFM: Pittsburgh Pirates

Jameson Taillon, RHP

Background: Taillon's ceiling is so high that the Pirates rated him ahead of Bryce Harper on their 2010 draft board and took him second overall even though GM Neal Huntington doesn't believe in drafting prep righthanders in the first round. Taillon had a 3.85 grade-point average in high school and planned to attend Rice until the Pittsburgh changed those plans with a $6.5 million bonus.

Scouting Report: With stuff, command and smarts, Taillon has the total package for a frontline starter. His four-seam fastball sits at 94-96 mph and hits 99 with boring action, and he'll mix in a two-seamer with more sink. His curveball is an excellent pitch that breaks so late and so sharply that it can be confused for a slider. He's still refining his changeup but it should become at least an average pitch. Taillon went through a crisis of confidence for a stretch early last season where he questioned his pitch selection and stopped pitching aggressively. However, he regained his killer instinct in the second half and finished strong after a late-season promotion to Double-A Altoona.

The Future: Taillon has frontline stuff and will begin 2013 back in Double-A but could see Pittsburgh before season's end.

[mpejkrm]

Re: 2013 OSFM: Pittsburgh Pirates

Luis Heredia, RHP

Background: Heredia represented Pittsburgh's first big international strike when he signed out of Mexico for $2.6 million in 2010. He was considered the best foreign amateur pitcher available that summer, and the Pirates had developed a relationship with him since he was 13. Extremely advanced for his age, he was the youngest in the short-season New York-Penn League last year, pitching most of the summer at 17.

Scouting Report: Heredia offers a lot of projection as a 6-foot-6 teenager, but there's also a lot to like about him in the present. He throws his fastball at 91-94 mph with good movement, with the promise of more velocity as he gets stronger. He threw a slow curveball when he first came to the United States but has added power to it. He has a good feel for changeup, though he needs to subtract some velocity from it. Heredia can throw his secondary pitches for strikes consistently and is becoming adept at keeping the ball down in the strike zone. Pittsburgh praises his work ethic.

The Future: Heredia could develop three plus pitches, giving the Pirates a third potential frontline starter. The Pirates are trying to manage his workload, so they may keep him in extended spring training for a month before sending him to low Class A West Virginia. He could reach the majors sometime around his 21st birthday in 2015.

[mpejkrm]

Re: 2013 OSFM: Pittsburgh Pirates

Gregory Polanco, OF

Background: After hitting a combined .218/.288/.322 in the previous two seasons in the Rookie-level Gulf Coast League, Polanco clearly was the system's breakout player in 2012. He led Pirates farmhands in steals (40) while ranking second in all three slash stats (.325/.388/.522) as well as homers (16) and RBIs (85). Signed for $175,000 out of the Dominican Republic in 2009, he's starting to look like a bargain.

Scouting Report: Polanco has blossomed into a five-tool talent now that he has improved his plate discipline and ability to drive the ball. His swing can get long and he can get pull-happy, but he makes consistent hard contact and good adjustments at the plate. He projects to hit for at least solid average and power. Polanco is a quality center fielder with plenty of range and a strong arm. He also projects as a high-volume basestealer, though he needs refinement in that area.

The Future: Polanco played so well last season that it's not a stretch to think he could offer the combination of power and speed to be a 30/30 player in Pittsburgh. While he must prove he's more than a one-year wonder, the tools are there for him to be a star. He'll move up to high Class A at age 21 and is at least two full minor league seasons away from being ready for the majors.

[mpejkrm]

Re: 2013 OSFM: Pittsburgh Pirates

Alen Hanson, SS

Background: Hanson's low Class A performance was just as spectacular as Gregory Polanco's last year. Hanson, who had a better track record of success in Rookie ball, had extremely similar numbers and led the South Atlantic League in runs (99), triples (13) and total bases (258).

Scouting Report: Hanson is developing into quite a hitter for a lithe shortstop. He has gap power from both sides of the plate and enough strength to pull mistakes on the inner half over the fence. He also can inside-out the ball for opposite-field hits or lay down a bunt to use his plus speed. His quickness puts pressure on opponents, though he needs to hone his baserunning and basestealing skills. The biggest question about Hanson is his defense. He has the range to play shortstop but his arm is average at best and he's inconsistent, as evidenced by his 40 errors in 103 games last year. Some scouts feel he projects as a second baseman, a position he has played in the past. He brings energy to the ballpark every day.

The Future: Hanson has a chance to be the rare impact bat at a middle-infield position. He'll stay at shortstop when he plays at high Class A Bradenton at age 20 this year but, like Polanco, he doesn't figure to be called up to Pittsburgh before the second half of the 2015 season.

[mpejkrm]

Re: 2013 OSFM: Pittsburgh Pirates

Josh Bell, OF

Background: The Pirates stunned the industry when they landed the thought-to-be-unsignable Bell for $5 million at the 2011 deadline. He had written all 30 teams and asked them not to select him because he was committed to attending Texas, but Pittsburgh had him ranked sixth on its draft board and popped him at No. 61 overall. His 2012 pro debut ended quickly, as he had surgery April 26 after tearing the meniscus in his left knee while running the bases. He was supposed to return for instructional league but persistent swelling in the knee scuttled that plan. Bell received platelet-rich plasma injections in his knee in an effort to spur healing.

Scouting Report: Bell has big-time power potential from both sides of the plate. With his bat speed, strike-zone discipline and mature approach, he also should hit for average as well. He had average speed before he got hurt, and there's some fear that he might lose a step after his knee injury. Bell projects as a right fielder with average range and solid arm strength.

The Future: Bell has the makings of a No. 3 or 4 hitter in a contender's lineup. Though he essentially lost a full season, he'll still be just 20 when he returns to low Class A. The Pirates are anxious to see how he bounces back from his injury, and he has the bat to move fast once he gets going.

[mpejkrm]

Re: 2013 OSFM: Pittsburgh Pirates

Kyle McPherson, RHP

Background: McPherson was primarily a shortstop at Mobile (Ala.), an NAIA program, and compiled a 6.02 ERA primarily mopping up in blowouts. Pirates scout Darren Mazeroski, the son of Hall of Fame second baseman Bill, glimpsed big league mound potential in McPherson and signed him for $30,000. Pittsburgh called McPherson up last August.

Scouting Report: McPherson doesn't have overwhelming stuff, though he's not a soft-tosser either. His fastball sits at 90-92 mph and can reach 95 on occasion. He can locate his fastball wherever he wants and commands all of his pitches. His best offering might be his changeup, which he throws with deceptive arm speed. His curveball is average at times, though he must guard against flattening it out by overthrowing. McPherson isn't afraid to pitch inside and likes to use his changeup when behind in the count to disrupt hitters' time. Though he spent the first 10 weeks last season on the disabled list with shoulder tendinitis, he otherwise has been durable through six pro seasons.

The Future: McPherson's moxie gives him a chance to play up to a No. 3 starter who can eat innings. He'll get an opportunity to win a spot in Pittsburgh's rotation this spring.

McPherson may already be in the game, we'll have to see.

[mpejkrm]

Re: 2013 OSFM: Pittsburgh Pirates

Justin Wilson, LHP

Background: Wilson etched his name in College World Series lore by winning the championship game for Fresno State in 2008. He had the distinction of being part of two no-hitters last season at Indianapolis, pitching 7 1/3 innings of a combined effort against Durham on April 29 and a rain-shortened, eight-inning gem versus Charlotte on Aug. 9. He led the International League in opponent average (.189) and ranked second in strikeouts (138).

Scouting Report: Wilson throws harder than most lefthanders, working with a 92-94 mph and reaching 96. His peak velocity spiked to 99 mph when he a relief role in Triple-A late in each of the last two seasons in Triple-A, though he didn't throw that hard while coming out of the bullpen during his first big league callup last September. Wilson's curveball, slider and changeup all can be average pitches, but his command of his entire arsenal is spotty. That's why the Pirates have looked at him in relief.

The Future: Pittsburgh still hasn't decided if Wilson's long-term future is as a starter or a reliever, though the latter seems more likely. He'll get a chance to win a job in the major league bullpen during spring training. If he doesn't make the Pirates, he may continue starting at Indianapolis to give him more innings to work on his command.