Re: MY Pirates Top 10 Prospects.
Posted: July 17th, 2013, 10:15 pm
Couple of things.
1. Neil Walker is the best middle infielder in the organization. I'm not a huge Walker guy, but it is what it is. When healthy he's clearly better than any other option they have. I think the problem with Walker is simple, and its a perception problem. The Pirates market Walker as a star because he's marketable because hes a hometown guy. So that gives off the idea, he should be better than what he is. Walker isn't that great, but I'd say he's a better second basemen than a lot of people, just not as good as he is made to be by the organization.
2. Second of all, I think the catching scenario you say is way off base for a number of reasons. 1. Tony Sanchez is above and beyond a better Catcher than Michael McKenry is right now and he should be on the 25 man roster. Next season is Russell Martin's last year with the team, and potentially his last real productive one as a major leaguer, can he still start for years? Of course, but why overspend if you have an option from within. So what do you have between Martin and Reese McGuire, Tony Sanchez.
Also, Reese McGuire might have potential, or he might not be very good at all. The draft isn't a sure bet, nor is developing a player. Its hard to say "trade your 25 catching prospect because the 18 year old might have better potential" But that's how I see it. McGuire will not be in Pittsburgh before 2016. It just won't happen. Its no sure bet he will be the catcher of the future, Wyatt Mathisen or Jin-De Jhang are highly regarded guys still under 21 as well.
You certainly need options at every position, and its good to see the Pirates stockpiling in places like Outfield, Catcher, and Right Handed pitching. The tougher positions to stockpile are obviously power hitting positions, because you can't project power. I'd like to see more of an emphasis on middle infield. But in their defense, they typically draft college short stops that don't seem to work out.
1. Neil Walker is the best middle infielder in the organization. I'm not a huge Walker guy, but it is what it is. When healthy he's clearly better than any other option they have. I think the problem with Walker is simple, and its a perception problem. The Pirates market Walker as a star because he's marketable because hes a hometown guy. So that gives off the idea, he should be better than what he is. Walker isn't that great, but I'd say he's a better second basemen than a lot of people, just not as good as he is made to be by the organization.
2. Second of all, I think the catching scenario you say is way off base for a number of reasons. 1. Tony Sanchez is above and beyond a better Catcher than Michael McKenry is right now and he should be on the 25 man roster. Next season is Russell Martin's last year with the team, and potentially his last real productive one as a major leaguer, can he still start for years? Of course, but why overspend if you have an option from within. So what do you have between Martin and Reese McGuire, Tony Sanchez.
Also, Reese McGuire might have potential, or he might not be very good at all. The draft isn't a sure bet, nor is developing a player. Its hard to say "trade your 25 catching prospect because the 18 year old might have better potential" But that's how I see it. McGuire will not be in Pittsburgh before 2016. It just won't happen. Its no sure bet he will be the catcher of the future, Wyatt Mathisen or Jin-De Jhang are highly regarded guys still under 21 as well.
You certainly need options at every position, and its good to see the Pirates stockpiling in places like Outfield, Catcher, and Right Handed pitching. The tougher positions to stockpile are obviously power hitting positions, because you can't project power. I'd like to see more of an emphasis on middle infield. But in their defense, they typically draft college short stops that don't seem to work out.