Battling Bucs : Top 50 Prospects: 26-50

I usually maintain a top 30 prospects list but this offseason I decided to take a page from Pirates Prospects and expand my list to a top 50. My list is my own personal list based upon many different sources including the previously mentioned Pirates Prospects Guide which I'll take this opportunity to suggest you all buy. Its a great resource for all Pirates fans. My list comes with far less research and far less information on the players plus I'm not including details on every player. My criteria for what constitutes a prospect is also slightly different as I am only including players who still have rookie eligibility and will be no older than 26 come July 1, 2015. This means John Holdkozm and even Jung-Ho Kang should he sign will not be included. In this post I will list the back half of my list and on Friday I will publish my top 25.
50. Yhonathan Barrios: Back in 2009, Barrios received one of the largest signing bonuses ever from the Pirates for an international player when he signed for 250K. He spent his first 4.5 seasons as a SS but the bat never developed so midway through 2013 the Pirates converted him to pitching. Usually this is just a desperation attempt to get some value but Barrios is different as he has a great arm and can reach triple digits with his fastball. The results (strike outs) aren't there yet but he held his own in A+ this past season and considering his kind of arm he is certainly worth watching.
49. Sam Kennelly: Kennelly was signed back in 2012 out of Australia but spent his first two seasons in the Australian baseball academy. He was signed as a shortstop but the consensus seems to be he won't stick there and will probably move to second but as a bat first middle infielder that is fine. Kennelly spent 2014 in rookie ball and had a very solid season. At 18 he was an appropriate age for the level and looks ready to move up to the new Morgantown team this season. He has a long way to go but his bat is quite polished for his age which gives him an advantage over the Pirates other low level middle infield prospects.
48. Jaff Decker: Unlike a lot of prospects Decker's value is all about the right now. He doesn't possess a huge upside and in fact is probably at his upside right now which is a capable major league bench player. The Pirates acquired Decker last year in a trade for Alex Dickerson and he saw limited time in the majors but served as depth for most of the season in AAA. The Pirates choose not to call him up in September which shows they don't see him having a future with the team but he has shown himself capable of playing all 3 outfield positions and posting a solid OBP and that has value. Decker remains a possibility to be removed from the 40 man roster but with options remaining it is quite possible he serves this year as a depth 6th outfielder. He will only turn 25 in February so there is a slight chance something clicks and he improves upon his current level but regardless he has value in what he is right now.
47. Adam Frazier: Frazier was drafted by the Pirates in 2013 and was one of the top college shortstops in that draft class which really says more about how weak that crop was than about his talent. He is a player that does nothing to stand out, he has no power, his defense, speed and arm are all average and his offensive game is based upon a solid grasp of the strike zone. Due to the fact he doesn't have a plus bat or plus defense he may be limited to a utility role as he moves up but there is a chance he can stick as a regular shortstop. Frazier had a great debut season in 2013 but struggled last year when the Pirates pushed him to A+. His bat is probably not ready for AA yet but he might be forced up there anyway because of who is coming behind him.
46. Eric Wood: Wood was a relatively unknown taken in the 6th round of the 2012 draft. Most people assumed he was taken to try and save money for a run at Appel but he signed for 100K which while below slot was significantly more than a handful of other picks the Pirates made in the top 10 rounds to save slot money. Wood is a third baseman with some solid power but there are questions about his defense and while his power is a good a move to 1B would make his power just ordinary for the position and would really hurt his chances of ever making the majors. Wood has shown a solid bat since joining the Pirates system but he really needs to stick at 3B if he has a shot of moving past AA which is where he should be in 2015.
45. Nick Buckner: The Pirates selected Buckner out of high school in the 14th round of the 2013 draft. Buckner has some very good power but he has a long swing which some scouts believe will be exploited when he starts facing higher quality pitching. Buckner was very raw when the Pirates drafted him and struggled in his debut but he showed a lot of progress last year in Bristol and got himself on the prospect map. Buckner is already defensively limited to a corner so it is the bat that is going to have to carry him but the good news is he has quite an intriguing bat. He should be at Morgantown this season.
44. Edinson Lantigua: Lantigua is one of two DSL prospects to make my top 50 prospect list. In the past I have usually skipped DSL players but I made an effort to learn a little bit more about these players and I found two who I felt were deserving. Lantigua should move to the states this year and is easily the most advanced hitter of any of the DSL prospects. He signed in 2013 for 275K and had a very impressive season last year in the DSL. Lantigua was a line drive hitter who made consistently good contact and as he ages the hope is more of those well struck balls will leave the yard. He played left field this season and is probably going to be limited to a corner moving forward but he is a very solid defensive outfielder with an average arm. Most reports also refer to him as baseball smart meaning he rarely makes mental mistakes. He should get his chance to show off his skills this year as an 18 year old in rookie ball and will likely be one of the more interesting players there.
43. Elvis Escobar: Escobar was a top international signing in 2011 and was advanced enough to skip over the DSL and right into the GCL. Escobar had a very good debut season in 2012 but has yet to follow that up with another big season. Last year due to various injuries he got an early chance to show himself off in full season ball but it became apparent quickly he just wasn't ready for the level and was sent back to short season ball once that began. Escobar currently plays some center field but his defensive skills are only solid so he may have to eventually move to a corner. He doesn't possess a lot of power but is a good contact hitter. Escobar hasn't shown much the last two seasons but he is only 20 and will likely be back in full season ball this year which is a good age for the level so he still has a lot of potential and room to grow.
42. Gift Ngoepe: Ngoepe is part of the Pirates search around the world campaign it seems they started when the new front office took over. The Pirates signed him out of South Africa making him the first black player signed to a professional contract from that country. He has a very unusual background which makes it difficult to get a feel of just how he should be progressing but he has already overcame big odds to reach where he is currently. He hasn't shown much with the bat during his time in the minors but has an outstanding glove and is usually considered one of the two best shortstop defenders in the Pirates system. The bat is the question though because Ngoepe strikes out a ton for a hitter of his profile. In 2013 AA pitching ate him up but when repeating the level last year he showed significant improvement. Ngoepe is never going to be a great offensive player but he has the potential to develop into a Clint Barmes type of shortstop who will hit just enough to make his great glove playable but more realistically he could find a home as a glove first bench player. He could repeat AA again this year or if the Pirates think he is up to the challenge make the jump to AAA.
41. John Kuchno: Kuchno was drafted by the Pirates in the 17th round of the 2012 draft and was one of the three players the Pirates spent their savings on when they were unable to sign Appel. Kuchno has primarily been used as a starter by the Pirates but I see his future as a reliever and he has the talent to develop into a very solid one. As a starter Kuchno only throws his fastball around 90 but he ramps it up to the mid 90s when pitching in relief. He compliments his fastball with a curve that has a lot of potential and it is that mix which makes me see him as a potential late inning reliever. He had a very solid 2014 campaign in A+ but missed very few bats. He appears ready to move up to AA and due to a lack of other options will remain in the rotation but I wouldn't be surprised to see him in the bullpen by the end of the year and there is where his future ultimately lies.
40. Adrian Valerio: Valerio is the other DSL player to crack the top 50 list. As I mentioned Lantigua is the most advanced DSL prospect with the bat so Valerio ranking ahead of him may seem odd but Valerio comes with an outstanding glove. His glove is consistently mentioned as the best in the Pirates system even better than the very talented Ngoepe. In a lot of ways Valerio is a younger version of Ngoepe as his glove will likely carry him to the brink of the major leagues but the bat will be needed to push him over the edge. He will be 18 this coming season and will likely play in the GCL so he still has plenty of time for the bat to develop and with his glove being at an elite level he doesn't even have to hit all that well to be a valuable starter in the majors.
39. Billy Roth: Roth is one of the Pirates typical projectable right handed pitching prospects. He comes with a big frame (6' 3") currently throws in the low 90s and is projected to possibly add velocity as he matures. He also has a good curve and a work in progress change. Taken in the 16th round of the 2013 draft Roth has a lot of potential but is far away from the majors. Roth got a cup of coffee in the GCL in 2013 but his first real extended action came this past season for the new Bristol affiliate. Overall Roth’s performance this past season was a rough one as he struggles with control but unlike a lot of lower level Pirates starters he showed the ability to miss some bats posting a K rate of 7.2 K/9. When he was drafted Roth showed potential as a hitter as well but most all scouts believed his future was a pitcher. Roth will likely open the 2015 season in Morgantown.
38. Max Moroff: Drafted in 2012 Moroff was one the 3 players the Pirates turned to when they failed to sign Appel. Moroff is one of my more aggressive ranks and is a player I am higher on than most. To me I see Robbie Grossman in him and while that make up hasn't really worked for him Moroff is a middle infielder and I think that offensive profile makes a better fit for a middle infielder than an outfielder. Moroff has tremendous plate discipline and for long stretches of the past seasons has walked basically as much as he has struck out. The rest of his offensive game has yet to develop and he has to work on getting a little more aggressive but there is talent here. Defensively he has already moved off of shortstop for Frazier but he should be fine at 2B. His 2014 in A+ wasn't great but there is talent coming below him which may force him up to AA. I think he is a potential breakout player this season.
37. Kevin Krause: Baseball America had Krause ranked the 281st best prospect in this past draft and the Pirates selected him in the 9th round. He is a catcher who can play the outfield but he prefers to stay behind the plate and though he is raw he appears to have the skills necessary to do so. On the offensive side he has some power and a solid all around bat. His 2014 debut was a strong one as he showed both power and contact skills and that is what lands him on this list. The Pirates have a bit of a catcher crunch going on in the mid levels so it isn't entirely certain what they will do with Krause but considering his strong debut the Pirates will surely try to find a way to give him at bats.
36. Jin-De Jhang: Jhang was signed by the Pirates as an international free agent in 2011 out of Taiwan and has always been overlooked. He is a catcher but is still relatively new to the position so he has a good bit of learning to do but he shown improvement over the last few years. In 2012 he was forced to share catching duties with Wyatt Mathisen and then in 2013 he got regular playing time in A- and played well. Unfortunately for him the Pirates drafted McGuire in 2013 and left him without a place in A ball last season forcing him up to A+. He wasn't ready for that big of a push and was overmatched. McGuire is still coming behind him so he may have to move up again without being ready which again is unfortunate because he has good offensive skills and quickly improving defense. It will be interesting to see what the Pirates do with him this year.
35. Tito Polo: Polo was signed by the Pirates in 2012 for a minimal bonus. He spent his first two seasons putting up strong numbers in the DSL and this past year was promoted to the states. At 19 he was a little old for the GCL level but he had a great season experiencing a minor breakout. Polo has shown modest power, good plate discipline and solid speed. In the outfield he can play center but is probably better suited for a corner. He has been in the system three years and has posted three very impressive seasons. At this point he is a legit prospect. Ordinarily a guy like Polo would jump to A ball but the Pirates have a bit of a logjam so he might not get that treatment.
34. Casey Sadler: Sadler is another prospect who is valuable because of what he is now. His upside is likely that of a number five starter or a middle reliever but he is already very close to that potential. His stuff isn't great as he tops out in the low 90s, misses very few bats and gets by on inducing ground balls. Sadler got his first taste of the majors last year and didn't show much but he was solid in AAA and should give the Pirates a good depth starting option or relieving option if necessary. Again there is little ceiling here but with two option years left and already having AAA success Sadler is a valuable prospect.
33. Mel Rojas: Rojas is another player that comes with current value but he also has some future potential. He is a switch hitter who is capable of playing all 3 outfield positions, he has good speed, good plate discipline and started showing some power last year. He has developed slowly over his time in the Pirates system but right now he has himself looking like a potential strong 4th outfielder who may even be capable of starting. The Pirates though haven't really treated him as a strong prospect these last couple years as it took him a season and a half of strong performances in AA to move up and even then it didn't seem like getting him AAA playing time was a priority. Rojas has no exceptional skills but appears to be a very solid all around player and he should give the Pirates some additional outfield depth is season.
32. Jose Osuna: Osuna was at one point the most advanced prospect of a very talented quartet of Latin America prospects which also included Willy Garcia, Alen Hanson and Gregory Polanco. He has since fallen behind those other three on the prospect radar but remains a solid prospect of his own. Osuna was originally an outfielder but has since been forced to move to 1B which has put more pressure on his bat. He struggled in his first go around in A+ in 2013 but had a nice showing last year and should move up to AA this season. He has solid power and good hitting skills but since he is limited to 1B he has to continue to prove himself.
31. Barrett Barnes: The Pirates selected Barnes with the supplemental pick they received for Ryan Doumit back in 2012. Barnes is a potential center fielder with power though there are questions about whether he can stick there long term but even if not the power should allow him to move to a corner. In addition to the power and solid defense he has good speed and good plate discipline. He is an all around very talented player which brings up the question of why he isn't rated higher. The simple answer is that in order to do that he actually has to be able to stay on the field for more than like a week. Barnes has been very injury prone since he joined the system in 2012 but when healthy and back in playing shape he has played quite well. Barnes has a chance to become an above average starting outfielder in the majors but faces a lot of health questions and will most importantly need to show he can stay healthy in 2015 if he can do that Barnes could quickly shoot up this list.
30. Hector Garcia: Garcia is the first left handed pitcher to crack this list which shows just how thin the Pirates depth is with south paws. Garcia is another aggressive rank for me and another player I see as a potential breakout candidate in 2015. Garcia had a strong showing in 2013 in the DSL and the Pirates choose to aggressively send him to Bristol last year. Garcia was quite possibly the top prospect at that level for the Pirates last year and performed very well considering he was just 18 years old. Garcia throws in the low 90s and compliments it with a curve and a change. Considering his solid showing in Bristol the Pirates may send him to full season ball which would be an aggressive push but he appears as if he may be ready for it. Having Garcia develop as a legit pitching prospect would be a big boost to the system which has lost a lot of left handed pitching in the last few months.
29. Michael de la Cruz: Signed by the Pirates in 2012 de la Cruz was one of the big international signings that year and followed that up with a very nice debut season in the DSL vaulting him to borderline top 20 status. Unfortunately his 2014 season didn't go well as de la Cruz fought poor performance, sickness, and injuries all while trying to get adjusted to a new country. Right now he is a legit center fielder who has power potential and good plate discipline. De la Cruz has loads of talent and it is possible that his 2014 season was just the result of a lot of poor circumstances all colliding so the Pirates are certainly going to give him more chances. As a guess I would think the Pirates will move him up to Bristol next year.
28. Wyatt Mathisen: Mathisen was originally drafted as catcher in 2012 but moved off of the position last year and started playing 3B. He was always considered a good athlete so this isn't a big surprise but still it puts a lot of pressure on his bat and while a move back to catcher hasn't been ruled out it seems quite unlikely considering all the catchers the Pirates have added recently. Mathisen has a poor 2013 but rebounded nicely last year when he repeated A ball. Offensively it was a very encouraging season but he is not a catcher anymore so he has to continue to hit. Defensively he struggled last year but with learning a new position and all that isn't too surprising. Mathisen has some potential with the bat and will likely improve defensively at 3B with some more reps so that is enough to make him the Pirates top prospect at the position.
27. Tyler Eppler: Eppler was drafted in the 6th round of this past draft and is a bit of an outlier as far as Pirates pitching prospect goes. He doesn't miss many bats nor induce a lot of ground balls. His control was seen as average by scouts and still probably is but he did a tremendous job limiting walks in his debut season. He has a four pitch mix including a low 90s fastball, a curve, slider and changeup. Eppler is by far the most advanced pitcher the Pirates selected in this past draft and will likely skip over A ball this year and play in A+.
26. Jason Creasy: Creasy is an overlooked member of the 2011 draft which saw the Pirates bring in Cole, Bell and Glasnow. His upside is nowhere near those three but he is a pitcher who has shown excellent control. Aside from his great control he is the typical Pirates projectable pitching prospect coming in at 6' 4" throwing in the low 90s with a curve and a change. The stuff hasn't improved much since he was drafted but because of his command Creasy has the upside of a back end starter in the majors. Over the last two years he has posted strong seasons in A and A+ ball and will likely get a crack at AA this year. With another strong season Creasy could be someone who could help the Pirates out as early as 2016.
My top 25 will be released on Friday. Feel free to leave any comments you would like as I always appreciate feed back.