BA Pirates List From Print edition-

[Exposfan]

Pirates Top 10
1 Gerrit Cole
2 Jameson Taillon
3 Josh Bell
4 Starling Marte
5 Luis Heredia
6 Kyle Mcpherson
7 Tony Sanchez
8 Robbie Grossman
9 Stetson Allie
10 Jeff Locke
Tools

Average Starling Marte
Power Hitter Josh Bell
Strike Zone Discipline Grossman
Baserunner Alen Hanson
Athlete Marte
Fastball Cole
Curveball Taillon
Slider Cole
Change-up Mcpherson
Control Mcpherson
Defensive Catcher Tony Sanchez
Defensive Infielder Pedro Ciriaco
Infield Arm Jordy Mercer
Defensive OF Gorkys Hernandez
OF Arm Starling Marte

Projected Lineup 2013
C Sanchez
1b Alex Dickerson
2b Walker
SS D'Arnaud
3b Pedro Alvarez
LF Mccutchen
RF Josh Bell
CF Marte
1 Starter Cole
2 Taillon
3 Heredia
4 James Mcdonald
5 Kyle Mcpherson
Closer Stetson Allie

 

[Jaypers]

I almost bet money that Taillon would edge out Cole for the top spot. Good thing I didn't.

 

[morgoth]

I don't really understand why Taillon wouldn't edge out Cole if they were going on ceiling alone, which is what they usually go off of. Cole did do well in AFL.

Mcpherson being ranked this high is surprising.

 

[Jaypers]

The list is now up on the site, for you subscribers who want to read the scouting reports.

John Perrotto is practically drooling all over Cole's jock.

 

[morgoth]

That Lineup is kinda screwy as well, no way Alvarez stays at 3B unless he starts some jenny craig and takes ballet lessons.

Also, Marte is still a rough prospect with plate discipline. I am not really that sold on him. Thank god Grossman finally made it onto the list as he performed awesome this year, too bad about his hand.

 

[Jaypers]

@Jaypers413 (IL): Was it a close call between Cole and Taillon for the top spot, or was Cole your clear-cut choice?

John Perrotto: It was a fairly close call but almost everyone I consulted with felt that Cole was No. 1 at this time because of his experience and better pure stuff. That being said, I wouldn't have felt a made a mistake if I did have Taillon at No. 1 because he is awfully good.

 

[morgoth]

Good suff.

I am sweating the pick of Cole, anytime there isn't a clear #1 it makes for a lot of back seat drafting.

 

[solt0131]

That Lineup is kinda screwy as well, no way Alvarez stays at 3B unless he starts some jenny craig and takes ballet lessons.

Also, Marte is still a rough prospect with plate discipline. I am not really that sold on him. Thank god Grossman finally made it onto the list as he performed awesome this year, too bad about his hand.

Don't assume that would be Marte, they signed Tabata to a 5 year deal and might have plans on moving Marte some time down the line. There are 3 firstbaseman (Hague, Curry, Dickerson), so you have to think one of them pans out. Sanchez was awful last year.

Also, they signed Clint Barmes to a 2 year deal worth 10.5 million. Neil Huntingdon needs to just focus on the draft because free agency isn't his thing. 10.5 million to a guy no other team had interest in. Something tells me Hurdle was also behind this *ssbrain move.

 

[morgoth]

Well Huntington likes to get his Cleveland cast offs ala Josh Rodriguez, Hurdle likes his Rockies cast offs.

Marte has been rumored to be on the trade block and his plate discipline issues are probably the reason.

I don't feel the Pirates have any faith in Hague or they would have called him up at the end of last season.

Ciriaco is still on the roster so that gives me hope the will make some other move soon.

Evidently the Brewers were also interested in Barmes as well. I would have rather had Cedeno back and spent the money on a pitcher.

 

[Dice-K Collector]

Looks like a solid rotation in 2013!