Pirate prospect to watch in 2018: Kevin Kramer

As we continue to take a look at Pirate prospects that fans should be watching in 2018, today we take a look at another young infielder

When looking at the Pittsburgh Pirates’ 2015 draft the infielder that is often talked about is Kevin Newman. However, another middle infielder from that draft class is turning heads and has been even better than Newman in the minor leagues. This infielder is the left-handed hitting Kevin Kramer.

The Pirates drafted Kevin Kramer in the second round of the 2015 Major League Baseball Amateur Draft. Since being draft Kramer has done nothing but hit, this has turned him into a Pirate prospect worth monitoring.

While he played in just 53 games due to injury, Kevin Kramer still got his first taste of Double-A baseball in 2017. In 234 plate appearances for the Double-A Altoona Curve, Kramer owned a 7.3 percent walk rate, a .380 on-base percentage, and he had 26 extra base hits.

The increased power was a pleasant surprise for Kramer. His .206 ISO and .500 slugging percentage were both, by far, new career highs. His increased power combined with his ability to get on base led to him owning a .388 wOBA and a 141 wRC+ for the Curve this past season.

While the increased power was something new for Kramer, success at the plate was not. At Low-A, Kramer owned a 12.0 percent walk rate, a .390 on-base percentage, .369 wOBA, and a 132 wRC+. Then at High-A in 2016 he posted a 9.4 percent walk rate, a .352 on-base percentage, .343 wOBA, and a wRC+ of 116.

While Kramer played solely second base in 2017, he can also play shortstop. In 2015 Kramer committed just one error at shortstop while in Single-A.

In the minor leagues Kramer has logged 1,762 innings at second base. He has committed just 19 errors and he turns a smooth double play. Ultimately, second base is Kevin Kramer’s best defensive position and he is starting to hit like a player that could be an everyday second baseman at the Major League level.

Next: Arizona Fall League recap for Pirate prospects

Kevin Kramer owns just 234 plate appearances at the Double-A level. Due to this, he will start the 2018 season back at Altoona. If Kramer performs the way he did this past season then it is possible that he could reach Triple-A in 2018.

With a great 2018 season and some injuries, Kevin Kramer could make his Major League debut in 2018. It is more likely, however, that this debut will come at some point in 2019. Kramer is also emerging as the potential second baseman of the future for the Pittsburgh Pirates making him a Pirate prospect to watch in 2018.