Minor League Update

The minor leagues kick off soon as well. So let us look at some of the interesting stuff about the rosters.

The Indianapolis Indians are heavy on the pitchers. They have lots of bullpen help for the Pirates down there. It goes without saying that Lincoln, Tabata, and Alvarez are there and a close eye will be kept on them. The one prospect to watch is Donnie Veal. He had a tremendous return to starting pitching in the Arizona Fall League. He is trying to extend his arm backout after pitching from the pen last year to meet his obligations of Rule 5. Now he will return to the starting rotation, and could be a candidate for the starting rotation in Pittsburgh next year if all goes well this year. Watch him.
Overall however, Triple A still reflects the weakness of past drafts. Even the talent heavy pitching part is mostly from moves over the last year like Jabakauskas and Hart. The infield is full of people that are not real major league talent except for Alvarez. Walker at second is interesting, but his time is about gone. Diaz is a weak hitter and Pierce has shown he cannot hit at the big league level. The outfield is underwhelming as well. Expect a poor season for the team as a whole.

The Altoona Curve are really interesting and I have great hope for this team. It is basically the championship team from High A coming up a notch. Here is where the future is meeting the past. D'Arnaud and Mercer are on this squad, but so are Ford and Negyrch. Awkward. Joining the champs will be outfielder Gorky Hernandez. And joining Rudy Owens (who is higher up than I thought he would be this year) are Tim Alderson as well as Danny Moskos and Jeff Sues.
It should be a better team than the one that took home the crown. Expect great things.

The Bradenton Mauraders are loaded as well. This is the team to watch to see the future of the Pirates. Locke, Pribonic, Adcock headline a host of good pitching prospects. Sanchez is starting his year here. Big year to see if he is for real as a prospect. Interestingly enough Brock Holt has made the jump to High A after a nice year State College. I am interested in him as well as Robbie Grossman, who is leading an outfield with Latimore and Marte. This team ought to be very good, but Marte will probably get a call up to Double A rather quickly. Still this team can win a lot of games and repeat as champs for the Pirate organization (I know it is a different team, you know what I mean).

West Virginia Power is a team that is looking for some guys to step up into the ranks of real prospects. Quentin Miller is here, but who else will join him in a list of people to watch? Evan Chambers had a nice year at State College last year and is overlooked as a third round choice for the Pirates last year. He will be one to watch. Jason Erickson, 24th round selection in 09 draft, is on this team. He had an overlooked year at State College. He will be one who could leap into the pitcher of prospects. As might Nathan Baker (5th round in 09). I am kind of surprised at the guys who are not on this team. I was hoping that maybe a Victor Black might make this level, but they are working some of the guys slowly. Kyle Morgan will be playing 1B. A 08 pick that one should keep an eye on.
Overall this team feels like it might be a little light.

Those are the teams that look set right now. Watching the minors will be one of the great things for this year. Although if the Pirates keep playing like they did on Opening Day it could be a very good year all the way around for the Pirates.