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Pittsburgh Pirates: Top Five Prospects LHP
This list has a lot of intriguing left-handed pitching prospects on it. Starting at five, Garcia is a latin product who the Pirates are hoping can recover from tommy-john and continue to develop in a positive direction. Dickson has a great arm and strong stuff, if he can learn to use it he could be an electric bullpen arm.
Number 3 was Brandon Waddell. The Pirates loved the experience this played gained at the college level and felt he was worth a fifth round pick. So far they looked like they made a great pick. Waddell is already in double-A and looks to continue to polish his pitching against more advanced players.
Next: An Interview with Austin Meadows
Stephen Tarpley may have the highest ceiling out of all the players on the list. He has a power arm and has plus secondary pitches. The biggest thing is for Tarpley to stay healthy. He has missed time the past two season due to injury. If he is not on the field he is not continuing to refine his pitches and mechanics. He needs experience to continue to grow into his potential.
Steven Brault seems to be the most sure-fire prospect on the list who also is the closest to the big league club. Being Brault has refined mechanics and has good command of his pitches it makes him the most likely one to succeed. In many ways he has the highest floor. He most likely will never be more than a middle of the rotation arm, but also I do not think it is likely that he does not become that.
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The Pirates system is not by any means stocked with left-handed pitching prospects. However, they do have more upside left-handed prospects then they did just a few years back. PNC Park is built for left-handed pitching so if these guys can reach the big leagues they will have a good shot at having some success here. Next Tuesday I will continue the series looking at the top-5 right-handed pitching prospects.