MLB Top 100 Prospects Loaded with Pittsburgh Pirates

Gerrit Cole checks in at number eight.  The right hander has shown he gets in trouble when he overthrows–which might have been the case last night in Game Two of the International League playoffs.  The big righty has that insane fastball, nice slider and improving changeup.

It won’t be long until Cole gets to strut his stuff at the Major League level.  Let’s trust Indy gets it going in the playoffs so he can have another shot at showing he can repeat his delivery and pitch well in a big game.

Jameson Taillon was the second overall pick in the 2010 Draft.   Taillon checks in at number 16.  The Pirates have monitored his innings total very carefully, and they have focused him on fastball command.  It’s paid off–look at him in Double-A.  It can be argued that the big right hander has  four above-average pitches — fastball, curve, slider and changeup.

Starling Marte checks in at number 34.  We’ve seen what Marte can do at the big leauge level.  He is now rehabbing at Indy and played in the second playoff game last night.

Alen Hanson had a breakout season at West Virginia.  The shortstop struggled with his defense, but put up some big numbers.  MLB ranks him at number 54.

Luis Heredia had a tremendous season in our eyes.  What he did with his fastball is beyond impressive.  The big right hander ranked 73 by MLB.

Gregory Polanco was yet another breakout player for West Virginia.  Some would rank him much higher, but MLB put him at 95.

Considering Josh Bell wasn’t ranked, it’s hard to remember a time when the Pittsburgh Pirates had more top prospects.

Here is the complete list