Prospect Check

Earlier in the winter I ranked the Pirates Top 25 Prospects. After the first 20 games it is a good time to check up on them.

Alvarez – is not hitting at the hoped for pace, although it is picking up now. He is up to a .250 average and has 4 homeruns. More importantly he has only 3 errors in 19 games. However, his strike outs remain high (20). Still his potential is undeniable.
Tabata – continues to show he is just a solid player. He may not have any power, but he is hitting .312 and is 8 for 9 in the stolen base department. No errors in his 17 games. He is a solid starting outfielder with top of the order potential.
Lincoln – is having a good season. He is completely ready. He is 2-1 with a 3.63 ERA and 15 strikeouts in 22.1 innings and only 5 walks. I like Lincoln and look forward to seeing him play in the majors sooner rather than later.
Owens – is proving that his last season is no fluke. After dominating low A and briefly playing at high A, Owens is now struting his stuff at double A. A 1-0 record in 3 starts is okay, but 15 strikeouts to 1 walk is amazing. A 1.08 WHIP shows that Owens has the goods to play in the big league.
D’Arnaud – is struggling after an excellent Arizona Fall League. A .164 AVG is awful and 6 errors still show concerns in the field, which is why many think he will end up at second rather than short. Still half of his 10 hits are doubles. The kid has talent.
Alderson – is not turning heads. The stat everyone is watching is strikeouts and in three starts he has only 5 and has the same number of walks. Yet, despite a 5.52 ERA he has not lost. He is 1-0. Alderson continues to find ways to win at every level. It is hard to overlook that fact.
Marte – is going to get promoted before the year is out. He is hitting .345 with a 448 OBP. He is 6 for 7 in stolen base attempts. No homers yet, but is showing signs of power.
Grossman – is starting to slump but still has a .273 AVG and more importantly a .411 OBP. His strikeouts are still a bit high, but his glove is not a concern. Considering his young age, this guy looks good.
McCutchen – He is in the majors as the fifth starter. He won the position fair and square. However, he has not faired all that well (0-2, 13.50 ERA). For some reason his spot seems to be in trouble despite clearly having a better season than Charlie Morton. It is too early to throw him under the bus.
Sanchez – a .345 AVG and a .479 OBP is more than many probably expected. He is also hitting for some power with 2 homeruns and 16 RBIs. His bat was the concern, but he has handled the move up to High A without missing a beat. He too maybe in line for a promotion before the season is over.
Lorin – is expected to start back in June or July after hip surgery. The lone surgery on this list.
Mercer – is living up to the high standards always pressed on him by the Pirate organization. He is hitting .298 with 5 doubles, a triple, and a homerun. He is also learning a new position often playing third and only has one error.
Pounders – will be playing Rookie League ball.
Pribonic – is starting slowly. He is 0-1 with only 11 strike outs and 6 walks. He has a 6.35 ERA which shows he is giving up runs including 2 long balls. It is still to early to panic on Pribonic, but this is not the start hoped for by the team.
Foster – justifies his inclusion on this list with 2 saves and four games finished in six apperances. He has 4 strikeouts and only 1 walk. A .68 WHIP is excellent and he is showing good signs of being a top notch closer.
Wilson – might be having the worst season of these prospects. He is only 1-1 but has given up 10 walks and only recorded 11 strikeouts. And ERA over 6.50 is not good by any means.
Stephenson – will be playing Rookie League ball.
Black – will be playing with Bradenton in early May. Apparently he is resting a strain.
Locke – is impressive. Locke has a 2-1 record, but 20 strikeouts, 5 walks and a 1.02 WHIP. More strike outs than innings pitched is always a good sign.
Miller – has only pitched six innings in 2 games, but has a 1.00 WHIP and is 1-0 on the season, so the signs are looking good. He needs more work, but I see no reason to down grade Miller for his performance thus far.
Bixler – traded in the off season. For those who care he is hitting .302.
Uviedo – is showing he is a viable option for future pen work. He has a .69 WHIP, a 12 to 4 strike out to walk ratio and a 2.08 ERA in six appearances.
Walker – may actually have increased his potential for the Pirates by learning new positions. He was a catcher in college, learned third base, and now plays second and some outfield. Also he seems to have shaken off the slow starts and is hitting .296 with 2 HRs and 7 doubles. No errors as he learns a new positions is a good sign.
Clement – is in the big leagues and is not hitting at a high rate (.208), but has 3 homeruns showing that he might have the power that is so desperately missing for the Pirates. His glove has been better than expected.
Holt – is playing at a higher place than I expected coming into this year and his .375 AVG is proof that he is ready to play at the high A level. His six errors need to be worked on, but Holt’s bat leaves little to worry about at this point.

Maybe the guy that needs to be added to this list to replace Bixler is Michael Crotta. Crotta is 2-0 with a 1.78 ERA in 4 starts and 16 strikeouts and only 3 walks. Moskos five saves or Jeff Sues 6 games finished both make them look good as possible future bullpen guys.