Let's go back to those halcyon days of 2014. The Pirates were in the midst of a 98 game winning season. Everything looked fantastic. However the Pirates were going to come up short again, losing out in a 1 game Wild Card game against Jake Arrieta and the Cubs. The Pirates with 98 wins, only 6 times in their long history have they won as many or more, played one game in the post season because they were in a division with the 100 win Cards and the 97 win Cubs.
But the Pirates system was "loaded". Help is on the way. Could they parlay some of this talent into a stud bat or a stud starter to put them over the top? No.
Let's look at those untouchable prospects now.
Alan Hansen. DFA'd. His best years were at Single A.
Tyler Glasnow. Biggest question mark. Right now looks like that classic AAAA pitcher. Will likely eventually turn into a reliever moreso than an ace starter. Untouchable, right?
Gregory Polanco. Is there anyone more disappointing? Maybe Glasnow. But at this point in his career, Andrew McCutcheon was establishing himself as a superstar. Polanco looks lost.
Austin Meadows. Hey, the next one, right? Maybe not.
Pretty much that package could have fetched a Chris Sale or a Giancarlo Stanton.
Nick Kingham. Not his fault, but arm problems have cost him.
Jameson Taillon. Looks like he is legit. We shall see, overcome injuries, cancer and bad luck. But he was a #2 overall. That is Ace material. Is he an "ace"?
Josh Bell. He and Taillon are the two from this list back then who look like they maybe above average MLB players.
Luis Heredia. Who?
Reese McGuire. Given away to Toronto to take all of Frankie Liriano's salary.
Harold Ramirez. See McGuire, Reese.
Adam Frazier. Okay, serviceable MLB 4th OF and utility player.
Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects from 2014 for your Buccos.
10 PROSPECTS. Gregory Polanco, of2. Jameson Taillon, rhp3. Tyler Glasnow, rhp4. Austin Meadows, of5. Nick Kingham, rhp6. Alen Hanson, ss7. Josh Bell, of8. Reese McGuire, c9. Harold Ramirez, of10. Luis Heredia, rhp
What is the moral here? Well aside from these guys either not being properly developed or just not that good in the first place, when you have a chance to win, when you are one of the best teams, you don't worry about 5 years down the road.
Sure this year was derailed by Kang and Marte. But that top 10, you could have traded all of them for one stud OF and one Ace SP and be no worse for wear as an organization. What does happen for sure, is that prospects have to eventually do one thing. Play. And by that they are exposed. So you have decide if you are going to win or risk that your "prospects" are better than what you have now. In most cases, since what you have won 98 games, the answer is a resounding "no".
But the Pirates system was "loaded". Help is on the way. Could they parlay some of this talent into a stud bat or a stud starter to put them over the top? No.
Let's look at those untouchable prospects now.
Alan Hansen. DFA'd. His best years were at Single A.
Tyler Glasnow. Biggest question mark. Right now looks like that classic AAAA pitcher. Will likely eventually turn into a reliever moreso than an ace starter. Untouchable, right?
Gregory Polanco. Is there anyone more disappointing? Maybe Glasnow. But at this point in his career, Andrew McCutcheon was establishing himself as a superstar. Polanco looks lost.
Austin Meadows. Hey, the next one, right? Maybe not.
Pretty much that package could have fetched a Chris Sale or a Giancarlo Stanton.
Nick Kingham. Not his fault, but arm problems have cost him.
Jameson Taillon. Looks like he is legit. We shall see, overcome injuries, cancer and bad luck. But he was a #2 overall. That is Ace material. Is he an "ace"?
Josh Bell. He and Taillon are the two from this list back then who look like they maybe above average MLB players.
Luis Heredia. Who?
Reese McGuire. Given away to Toronto to take all of Frankie Liriano's salary.
Harold Ramirez. See McGuire, Reese.
Adam Frazier. Okay, serviceable MLB 4th OF and utility player.
Baseball America's Top 10 Prospects from 2014 for your Buccos.
10 PROSPECTS. Gregory Polanco, of2. Jameson Taillon, rhp3. Tyler Glasnow, rhp4. Austin Meadows, of5. Nick Kingham, rhp6. Alen Hanson, ss7. Josh Bell, of8. Reese McGuire, c9. Harold Ramirez, of10. Luis Heredia, rhp
What is the moral here? Well aside from these guys either not being properly developed or just not that good in the first place, when you have a chance to win, when you are one of the best teams, you don't worry about 5 years down the road.
Sure this year was derailed by Kang and Marte. But that top 10, you could have traded all of them for one stud OF and one Ace SP and be no worse for wear as an organization. What does happen for sure, is that prospects have to eventually do one thing. Play. And by that they are exposed. So you have decide if you are going to win or risk that your "prospects" are better than what you have now. In most cases, since what you have won 98 games, the answer is a resounding "no".