Post by joshsbix on Nov 8, 2023 7:15:41 GMT -5
So much has changed since the file flip that the situation warrants an early look at the Pittsburgh farm system. The system as a whole has sky rocketed from #22 at the end of the 2007 to #6. There are reports that the team hopes and expects to be a top 5 system by opening day.
Taking a look at AA, Julio Teheran has had a meteoric rise up the prospect list as he comes in listed as the #7 prospect in the league and fellow starter Zach Kroenke is listed at #15.
Dexter Fowler was a key bat prospect that was brought in as part of multiple trades with the Cardinals before the draft. The Cardinals are going to look a lot like the old Pirates who are really the Astros....never mind, we aren't getting into that again. Fowler joins fellow Cardinal minor leaguers Gonzalez, Baez, Broadway, and Trumbo as they join the team and look to solidify jobs in the future of the Pirates.
As the picture looks right now, Butler could be the every day 1B, though it is likely the team will either look to upgrade at 1st or develop Trumbo as a RH first baseman. The search continues for a long term 2B and SS. The team has some developmental options but should be able to find better options in this year's draft. Elliott Johnson appears to be the future at SS and the team has repeatedly expressed interest in developing C Rupp as the future RHC but the search continues for a LHC prospect. Heyward, Fowler, and Trumbo seem to be the Outfield of the future but if Trumbo moves to first there could be a search for the right LF.
The team has all kinds of options for the bullpen of the future. The plan appears to be to create a line of closers that can control an inning when needed. Baez and Broadway join Britton, Barnette, Burnett, Harris, and Cashner as the bullpen of the future comes clearly into shape.
It isn't clear what will happen with the plethora of draft picks that the Pirates have this year but if they keep them, we are likely to see the future picture come into even more focus. The lean years are coming but as we begin the 2nd full year of the 10 year rebuild, the team is a lot further ahead than we expected to be at this point.
Taking a look at AA, Julio Teheran has had a meteoric rise up the prospect list as he comes in listed as the #7 prospect in the league and fellow starter Zach Kroenke is listed at #15.
Dexter Fowler was a key bat prospect that was brought in as part of multiple trades with the Cardinals before the draft. The Cardinals are going to look a lot like the old Pirates who are really the Astros....never mind, we aren't getting into that again. Fowler joins fellow Cardinal minor leaguers Gonzalez, Baez, Broadway, and Trumbo as they join the team and look to solidify jobs in the future of the Pirates.
As the picture looks right now, Butler could be the every day 1B, though it is likely the team will either look to upgrade at 1st or develop Trumbo as a RH first baseman. The search continues for a long term 2B and SS. The team has some developmental options but should be able to find better options in this year's draft. Elliott Johnson appears to be the future at SS and the team has repeatedly expressed interest in developing C Rupp as the future RHC but the search continues for a LHC prospect. Heyward, Fowler, and Trumbo seem to be the Outfield of the future but if Trumbo moves to first there could be a search for the right LF.
The team has all kinds of options for the bullpen of the future. The plan appears to be to create a line of closers that can control an inning when needed. Baez and Broadway join Britton, Barnette, Burnett, Harris, and Cashner as the bullpen of the future comes clearly into shape.
It isn't clear what will happen with the plethora of draft picks that the Pirates have this year but if they keep them, we are likely to see the future picture come into even more focus. The lean years are coming but as we begin the 2nd full year of the 10 year rebuild, the team is a lot further ahead than we expected to be at this point.
