The Pirates Prospects 2015 Prospect Guide is now on sale. The book features prospect reports on everyone in the system, the 2015 top 50 prospects, and the most comprehensive coverage of the Pirates’ farm system that you can find. While the top 50 prospects are exclusive to the book, we will be releasing the top 20 prospects over the next few weeks. Be sure to purchase your copy of the book on the products page of the site.
To recap the countdown so far:
20. Luis Heredia, RHP
19. JaCoby Jones, SS
18. Willy Garcia, OF
17. Clay Holmes, RHP
16. Gage Hinsz, RHP
15. Trey Supak, RHP
14. Cody Dickson, LHP
13. John Holdzkom, RHP
12. Adrian Sampson, RHP
11. Harold Ramirez, OF
10. Elias Diaz, C
9. Cole Tucker, SS
8. Mitch Keller, RHP
7. Alen Hanson, 2B
6. Nick Kingham, RHP
We continue the countdown with the number 5 prospect, Reese McGuire.
5. Reese McGuire, C
The Pirates loved Reese McGuire prior to the 2013 draft. They had been linked to him constantly leading up to the draft, with a near certainty that he would be there with the ninth overall pick. What they didn’t expect was that Austin Meadows would also be there ninth overall. The Pirates went with Meadows, and the decision paid off, as McGuire fell to them with the 14th overall pick.
McGuire is regarded as one of the best defensive catching prospects in the minors, and ranks as the best in the Pirates’ system. That defense is eventually going to get him to the majors, and his bat will determine what role he eventually plays.
The defense is highlighted by great receiving skills, blocking skills, and a plus arm. He also has good, quick footwork with no wasted movements when transitioning from catching the ball to throwing out a runner. The plus arm and the footwork has led to some outstanding results in the lower levels, with a 41% caught stealing rate in 2013, and a 39% caught stealing rate in 2014. That’s even more impressive when you consider that Pirates pitching prospects in the lower levels aren’t focused on limiting the running game, instead focusing on making their pitches.
McGuire shows potential on offense. Unlike the defense, the offensive potential hasn’t shown up in the stats. He doesn’t look over-matched at the plate, with a very low strikeout rate and a decent walk rate. McGuire needs to increase that walk total, and hit for more power going forward. He has good contact skills, and makes solid contact while using the middle of the field and driving the ball to the gaps.
Catchers tend to take some time for the bat to develop, as the Pirates saw with Elias Diaz. The emergence of Diaz, if he can take over as a starter in the majors, could allow the Pirates to take their time with McGuire. His offensive numbers weren’t great in 2014, but he could get a push to Bradenton in 2015, where he would probably spend the entire season. A conservative one level per year approach puts McGuire in the majors around 2017-18. His defense will definitely get him there, and if the offensive tools start to show up on the stat pages, he will end up an All-Star two-way catcher.
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