Pirates of 2011: Who Will Provide the Power?

The Pittsburgh Pirates desperately need power hitters.  The Pirates have put the weight squarely on the capable shoulders of Pedro Alvarez to provide the power for the new generation Bucs.

But we wanted to know who else could provide the Bucs with some big slugging, today we focus on the lower level of the system.

We know that Alvarez is unmatched, His stats are sickand headed into today, Alvarez is hitting 353 in his last ten games.

LYNCHBURG:  32 triples leads the Carolina League.  The team is slugging 389 (67 homers).  Pedro helped those numbers immensely.

Chase D’Arnaud is the player to watch.  The right hand hitting shortstop looks very comfortable since his promotion earlier in the year.  His stats have been solid.  He has raised his OPS to a gaudy 942 in 19 games for the Hillcats.  He is slugging 515 with six doubles and a pair of triples and home runs.  He has walked 16 times in his 68 at bats.  When we spoke to RHP Kyle McPherson earlier this year, McPherson said Chase is one of the most exciting players to watch for the Pirates.

Erik Huber had four homers with the Power before being promoted to Lynchburg.  The 6’6″ 230 pound right handed hitting 1B is hitting 449 for the Hillcats, but has no homers in 49 at bats.  He has 18 hits in his last 37 at bats.

WEST VIRGINIA POWER:  49 homers in 102 games.

Kyle Morganhas three homers in nine games since coming up from State College.  The 6’1″ lefthanded hitting 1B was taken in the 36th round last season.  He had three homers in 33 games last season with the Spikes and three homers this season with the Spikes before coming up.

Calvin Anderson has nine homers in 292 at bats.  Anderson’s hitting 274 with a 790OPS with 16 doubles and four triples along with his team leading 53RBI.  Anderson has struck out 86 times and walked 24.   The Freak is a 6’7″ right handed hitting 1B who is hitting just .200 in his last 40 at bats.

Quincy Latimoreis hot with 15 hits in his last 41 at bats.  Latimore struggled in August with the Spikes last season hitting just 193 after hitting 316 in July.  This season, the fourth round LF selection from 2007, has hit 279 with 17 doubles, nine triples and nine homeruns with 52RBI.  He has struck out 81 times walking only18.

Starling Marteis a 20 year old right hand hitting outfielder to keep an eye on.  He has two homers in 109AB thus far, but had nine homers and 65RBI for the DSL Pirates last season.  He can fly and has already stolen 15 bases.

STATE COLLEGE SPIKES:

Brock Holt  The left handed hitting secondbaseman of the Spikes  has 5HR, 16RBI and 6Stolen bases.  He has seven hits in his last 12 at bats with two homers and 4RBI.

VENEZUELAN SUMMER LEAGUE PIRATES

Michaelangel Trinidad has 13 homeruns and 54RBI with a 1.009OPS.  Trinidad is the leader of this championship Pirates ballclub.  He is stocky to say the least, 5’11” 232 pounds

DOMINICAN SUMMER LEAGUE PIRATES HAVE TWO POWER SOURCES:

 Eric Avila is the 19 year-old thirdbaseman for the DSL Pirates.  Avila is the power source.  The Pirates 3b has 7HR, 16 doubles with 39 RBI.  His slugging is a robust 524 and OPS is 909.  Impressive player in his third year with the Pirates that makes great contact and has struck out only 15 times in 206 at bats.  Tall and thin prospect that hits well off lefties and righties.

Jesus Vasquez is the 18 year-old leftfielder. Vasquez has played in only 39 games.  He has hit 5HR, 9 doubles and 5 triples to go with his 26RBI but has 30 strikeouts with just 14 walks.  His OPS is 885 and he is currently riding a seven game hitting streak.

GULF COAST LEAGUE PIRATES DON’T HAVE MUCH POWER

Wesley Freeman  2HR, 598 OPS

Gerlis Rodriguez  3HR, 19RBI, 683OPS