In this weekly feature, Post-Gazette Pirates writers Bill Brink and Stephen J. Nesbitt will recap the performances of the Pirates’ top 10 prospects over the past seven days, from Wednesday through Tuesday’s games.
For a detailed preseason breakdown, read Brink’s rundown of these potential stars rising in the Pirates pipeline.
1. Tyler Glasnow (Class AAA Indianapolis)
Position: RHP • Age: 22 • Height/Weight: 6-8/225 • Bats/Throws: L/R
Glasnow (0-1, 1.80 ERA) struck out six and scattered three hits and three walks in five innings of one-run ball Sunday. Last year, the 22-year right-hander had a 2.39 ERA and 136 strikeouts over 109⅓ innings in the minors, split between Class A West Virginia (two starts), Altoona (12 starts) and Indianapolis (eight starts).
2. Austin Meadows (Class AA Altoona)
Position: OF • Age: 22 • Height/Weight: 6-3/200 • Bats/Throws: L/L
Meadows has yet to play this season after he had surgery March 17 to repair an orbital fracture. He is expected back in early May. Meadows hit .307 in 121 games for Class A Bradenton last season and was 9 for 25 (.360) in six late-season appearances for Altoona.
3. Josh Bell (Indianapolis)
Position: 1B • Age: 23 • Height/Weight: 6-2/235 • Bats/Throws: S/R
After going 2 for 5 with two RBIs and two runs scored in an opening-day doubleheader, Bell (.250) went 0 for 3 Tuesday. He has walked three times in three games. Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said during spring training Bell “isn’t far” from being part of the equation in Pittsburgh, where John Jaso, Michael Morse and David Freese are currently the Pirates first-base platoon possibilities.
4. Jameson Taillon (Indianapolis)
Position: RHP • Age: 24 • Height/Weight: 6-5/240 • Bats/Throws: R/R
Taillon, a former first-rounder whose rise was stalled by Tommy John surgery in 2014 and hernia surgery in 2015, took the mound Wednesday night for his first start for a Pirates affiliate since Sept. 1, 2013. During spring training, Taillon appeared to be a more polished product than Glasnow, both of whom could see the majors this season, but the primary focus is to get Taillon through a full season in good health.
5. Harold Ramirez (Altoona)
Position: OF • Age: 21 • Height/Weight: 5-10/210 • Bats/Throws: R/R
After batting .579 in his first major league spring training, Ramirez (.118) started the season slowly, reaching base just three times in his first 18 plate appearances. In March, manager Clint Hurdle called Ramirez a bone collector — “He gets base hits” — and praised his approach at the plate. Still, Hurdle said, there will be no rushing Ramirez along. “I’m a crock pot,” Hurdle said. “People have a tendency to be microwaves.”
6. Reese McGuire (Altoona)
Position: C • Age: 21 • Height/Weight: 6-0/181 • Bats/Throws: L/R
McGuire (.286), a first-round pick in 2013, singled home a run for the Curve in their two games this season and has walked five times in the first three games. With Tony Sanchez gone, backup Chris Stewart signed through next season and Francisco Cervelli likely to make big money as a free agent next season, the Pirates expect McGuire and Elias Diaz to develop into productive pieces for the organization the next few years.
7. Cole Tucker (TBD)
Position: SS • Age: 19 • Height/Weight: 6-3/185 • Bats/Throws: S/R
The switch-hitting shortstop had surgery in August to repair the labrum in his right shoulder. Tucker was originally expected to miss 10-12 months but could be back earlier if his rehab continues to progress well. He made a number of impressive plays at shortstop during spring training camp games but had not yet been green-lighted to throw the ball to first.
8. Kevin Newman (Class High-A Bradenton)
Position: SS • Age: 22 • Height/Weight: 6-1/180 • Bats/Throws: R/R
Newman (.292), drafted 19th overall by the Pirates last year, hit safely in six of the Marauders’ first seven games this season. The Pirates have a number of shortstop prospects in the system, but having gone through four years of college ball at Arizona, Newman is more experienced than most and could climb quickly if his bat keeps up.
9. Ke’Bryan Hayes (Class A West Virginia)
Position: 3B • Age: 19 • Height/Weight: 6-1/210 • Bats/Throws: R/R
The son of former major leaguer Charlie Hayes, Ke’Bryan Hayes, 19, had three multiple-hit games in the Power’s first five games. Hayes is one of the most exciting young prospects in the system. After being drafted 32nd overall last summer, Hayes batted .308 in 56 games in the low minors.
10. Elias Diaz (Indianapolis)
Position: C • Age: 25 • Height/Weight: 6-0/210 • Bats/Throws: R/R
Diaz opened the season on the 15-day disabled list with a right elbow strain. He was shut down in mid-March and has not yet resumed throwing. Known for his defensive prowess, Diaz batted .271 in 93 games for Indianapolis last season while splitting time behind the plate with Sanchez, who was released this offseason and now plays for Class AAA Buffalo, a Toronto Blue Jays affiliate.
First Published: April 13, 2016, 3:42 p.m.
