Pittsburgh Pirates Top 30 Prospects: Ranking from 24-19

As the season approaches, it is time to look at the Pittsburgh Pirates top 30 prospects. Now up will be numbers 24-19 in terms of prospect rankings. All six are currently in the minor leagues, however one is competing for a job in the starting rotation.

Neal Huntington has done a solid job of filling up the Pirates minor league system over his tenure, with his first draft being in 2008, producing Pedro Alvarez, Jordy Mercer, and Justin Wilson.  Rene Gayo and the scouting in Latin American countries has remained strong, as Gayo signed Marte (Dave Littlefield era), Gregory Polanco, and Alen Hanson, and each of them has been ranked in the Pirates top 10 at one point or another.

As Nick wrote yesterday, Gayo has also gotten these players at a discount compared to what other top Latin American prospects are getting.  Gayo has done an excellent job at identifying talent when they are still raw prospects.

The team has drafted multiple shortstops over the last three seasons early, with Stephen Alemais being ranked as our 29th top prospect, mainly because of his incredible defensive ability at such a marquee position.  The team has also drafted multiple high school arms early in the draft, three of which will be revealed today.  With that, here are Rum Bunter’s prospect ratings 24-19.