Pittsburgh Pirates: Top 10 Second Base Prospect List

MLB Pipeline has continued their look at the top prospects at each position for the 2018 season.  Most recently they released their second base and third base lists.  Which Pittsburgh Pirates made the cut?

Over the last few weeks, MLB Pipeline has started to release their rankings for the top prospects at each position.  So far the Pittsburgh Pirates have not fared well.  They saw Mitch Keller rank at number six on the right-handed pitching list.  After that list, they have not seen any of their prospects show up on the other lists.  The other lists have included left-handed pitchers, catchers, and first base. Over the last few days, they have released their top 10 second base and third base lists.

Entering this season, Josh Harrison is penciled in as the starting second baseman.  Based on recent rumors, and even Neal Huntington’s comments, the Pittsburgh Pirates may not be close to dealing him anytime soon in a trade.  So who will be replacing Harrison when he eventually is moved?  That job seems destined to eventually be second base prospect Kevin Kramer’s.  Kramer was a second-round pick in 2015, and he is now ranked as MLB Pipeline’s 10th best second base prospect.  Kramer has not been on the list in previous years, but really stood out last year at Double-A.   He batted .297/.380/.500 in 53 games for the Altoona Curve.  His season was ended early due to breaking his hand mid-season.  Here is more on Kramer from MLB Pipeline:

“Kramer has a very solid approach from the left side of the plate, controlling the strike zone well and barreling up the baseball consistently, all of which points to a future of hitting for average and posting solid on-base numbers. Before the hand injury, he started tapping into his raw power a little more consistently and looked like the kind of hitter the Pirates thought he was when they drafted him, one who could bang out 12-15 homers annually”

Next: Baseball America's Top 100 Prospects

In terms of third base, the Pittsburgh Pirates did not have any prospects make the list.  This comes as somewhat a surprise, as they have a few players who could have gotten a nod.  One being Ke’Bryan Hayes, who did receive some notice.  He was named as the player to keep an eye on, also known as most likely the next player on the list.  They note that Hayes needs to start showing off his raw power this season.  Also, newly added third baseman Colin Moran could have gotten some recognition, he currently ranks as the Pittsburgh Pirates number four prospect.