Pittsburgh Pirates 2013 Prospect Watch: Ranks 6-10 - KHarmo88's Dynasty

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Pittsburgh Pirates 2013 Prospect Watch: Ranks 6-10

Posted on March 15, 2013 at 08:53 PM.

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Rank 6: Josh Bell

The excitement of signing Bell away from what appeared to be an unbreakable commitment to the University of Texas came to a crashing halt when he tore his left meniscus just 15 games into his professional career. With youth and a very advanced bat on his side, he should be able to get going again, assuming health. Bell is a switch-hitter with a natural ability to hit from both sides of the plate. He should hit for average and above-average power when all is said and done, the kind of bat that will fit nicely into the middle of the lineup. Bell was settling into right field as a pro before the injury, and he has the tools to be an above-average defender with a strong arm, not to mention the offensive tools, to profile well there.

ETA: 2015

Rank 7: Kyle McPherson

It�s not how you start, it�s how you finish. Just ask McPherson, who began the 2012 season on the shelf with shoulder inflammation. But he ended it in Pittsburgh, making 10 appearances, mostly in relief. The big right-hander has a three-pitch mix that could help him fit very nicely in the middle of a big league rotation. He�ll throw his fastball with some sink and tail and commands the pitch very well. His sinking changeup is a Major League average pitch. He�ll flash an average biting curve as well. He�s very competitive and goes right after hitters, which lets his stuff play up a bit, something that could help him should he land a rotation job soon.

ETA: 2013

Rank 8:Barrett Barnes

Barnes is the top 2012 draftee signed by the Pirates and the sandwich round selection had a solid pro debut until a stress fracture in his left ankle ended his New York-Penn League season after 38 games. Strong and athletic, there are some very good raw tools to work with. He has a good amount of raw power, and the hope is he'll develop into a solid enough all-around hitter to tap into it regularly. Barnes has above-average speed and should be more efficient on the basepaths as he learns how to read pitchers and get better jumps. His speed helps him have solid range, and while some see an eventual move to a corner, there's the chance he can stay in center field, where he played in college and during his pro debut.

ETA: 2015

Rank 9: Justin Wilson

Since coming from Fresno State's College World Series-winning team, Wilson has moved a level at a time, making his big league debut in 2012. He's been a starter for nearly all of his career, but he was quite effective in a bullpen role when he got to Pittsburgh. He has an above-average fastball as a starter, with good life, and he's shown even more velocity at times when he's taken some time coming out of the bullpen. Wilson throws both a slider and curve, with both being potential Major League average pitches. The same can be said for his changeup, though consistency has been elusive as he's struggled with command. His best ticket to a full-time gig in the big leagues might be by moving to the bullpen permanently.

ETA: 2013

Rank 10: Wyatt Mathisen

Mathisen didn�t catch all that much in high school, but a catcher is exactly what the Pirates drafted him to be. The Texas prep product, who played elsewhere out of need for his high school team, has some intriguing skills behind the plate. He has a strong arm and is agile and athletic enough to develop strong all-around defensive skills, even if it takes a little longer because of his relative inexperience. He has some good raw power that he will grow into from the right side of the plate, and with a fairly good approach, he should hit for average as well. Plus, he runs well for a catcher. Patience might be the key, but the end result could be a solid all-around everyday catcher.

ETA: 2016