Minor League Success

I have been as caught up as anyone in the Pirates push for the Post Season.  Half a game out, and with an easier schedule than the Cards and the Dodgers, making the playoffs is a real possibility.

However, measuring the improvement in the franchise is best done at the minor league level.  And while wins and losses are often not important for prospects, I think they give a bit of the overall health of the franchise.

The Pirates have long been good in Latin America, and that continues this year with the DSL.  The playoffs are on going, but the Pirate affiliate has advanced to the finals.  Continued dominance is never a bad thing.

The rookie league GCL Pirates won the GCL with a sweep through the playoffs.  Great pitching from 2011 high school draft picks, and hot hitting by Wyatt Matheson, 2012 2nd round pick, as well as Dilsen Herrera (Latin America prospect) propelled this team to greatness.  It is the first time the GCL Pirates have ever won.

State College was awful again, but not as awful as normal.  The Pirates just don't put a large stock in drafting college players, and are not afraid to skip this level with players like Josh Bell.

West Virginia did well this year.  They are about 4 games out with 3 remaining.  They are above .500, and have shown great hitting all year.  Jose Osuna and Alen Hansen are break out stars along with Gregory Polanco.  Dan Gamache had a good year as well Slugging over .426.  If Josh Bell had been healthy this would have been one offensive team to keep an eye upon.  Nick Kingham had a great second half to lead the pitchers.  He ended up with 117 Ks.  Overall a good year.  Kingham is still a top 15 prospect.

Bradenton is about 5.5 games out right now, and that is an impressive feat when you think of all the players they lost as the year went along.  Gerrit Cole was an early move up and Jameson Taillon has been gone for a couple of rotations as well.  Oddly enough Bradenton was hammered in the first half standings, so they have shown real improvement as the year went on.

Altoona has 3 games left and is one game under .500.  This is also pretty impressive considering they lost so much.  Robbie Grossman, who is still near the top on the team in homers, was traded before the deadline.  Brock Holt, who was hitting above .300, was promoted to AAA.  As was Gerrit Cole.  The surprising thing about the Altoona was the pitching.  Phil Irwin has been under the radar, but no more.  He pitched great all year: ERA 2.93 with 83/17 K/BB ratio.  Very impressive.  He would have been the most impressive if not for Victor Black showing himself to be a major league closer.  Black's fast ball is live, and he recorded 85 K's from the bullpen.  I wish there was a stat for 1-2-3 innings because I would bet Black would dominate that.  Expect Black on the 40 man and starting off in AAA next year, but getting an early call up to the bigs.  He could very well be Hanrahan's replacement.  Oh and Brandon Crumpton was not bad either.  He also had 85 Ks, but walks were a little high.

Indy was the place that surprised the most, and shows the great future of the Pirates.  The Pirates were able to raid Indy regularly for good players, and the team kept playing well.  This shows there is some major league ready talent in Indy.  Rudy Owens pitched well enough to anchor a trade.  Jeff Locke pitched great, and is joining the big leagues now.  As is Kyle MchPhearson.  Jordy Mercer was good while he was there.  Alex Presley has rejoined the big leagues and continues to play great at AAA.  Chase d'Arnaud had a good second half.  Brock Holt was out of his mind good for his short stint.  Justin Wilson looks like a big leaguer.  Even Sanchez appears to be able to hit up here.  Bryan Morris and Dan McCutchen don't look bad, but may not be ready.  So, overall this is a great team.  A few possible stars and lots of major league quality guys.  That is something I don't think you could have said for a long time.  They are in the playoffs and AAA Indy will get some experience playing post season ball.  They will do so without some of their regulars, but will have Gerrit Cole for the playoffs.  Worth watching.

Overall the Pirates strategy of drafting high talent is paying off.  Von Rosenburg may not be what we had hoped, but Colton Cain was good enough to be traded, and help the big league team.  The high schoolers since then are pitching well at State College and GCL.  I think there is some real reason to be excited for the future of the Pirates.