The Pirates Prospects 2013 Prospect Guide is now on sale. The book features over 250 prospect reports, the 2013 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. Jin-De Jhang, C
18. Vic Black, RHP
13. Tony Sanchez, C
11. Clay Holmes, RHP
We continue the countdown with the number 7 prospect, Barrett Barnes.
7. Barrett Barnes, OF
The Pirates received a first round compensation pick in the 2012 draft after seeing free agent Ryan Doumit sign with the Minnesota Twins. They used that pick to take Barnes, who was one of the top guys on the board at the time. The outfielder has a lot of tools, with quick hands, good power, and above-average speed.
He started his career in State College, and put up some strong numbers in a pitcher friendly league. Barnes hurt his leg in the second half, cutting his season short. When healthy he impressed with his athleticism and easy swing. He showed an advanced feel for hitting, with great plate patience, and a quick bat which allows him to react later to pitches.
Barnes wasn’t as advanced on defense and his fit in centerfield will be a question mark as he moves through the system. His arm is below-average, and he doesn’t cover as much ground in center field as you’d expect for a player of his speed. He might eventually move to a corner outfield spot. Such a move wouldn’t be an issue for Barnes. He’s got plus power and the hitting ability to handle a corner outfield spot, which is something that’s rare in the Pirates’ system.
The Pirates send a lot of college players to West Virginia in their first full season, but tend to send the high picks and the advanced hitters to Bradenton. Barnes should make that move to start the 2013 season. If he gets off to a strong start, just like the start we saw in State College in 2012, he could move up to Altoona by the end of the year.
The Pirates have a lot of outfield depth, and a lot of potential impact guys. They’ve got Starling Marte, Travis Snider, Jose Tabata, and Alex Presley fighting for corner outfield spots in the majors to start the 2013 season. Barnes should be joined in Bradenton by Gregory Polanco, with Josh Bell in West Virginia right behind those guys. Barnes has the potential to be an impact guy on offense, capable of hitting for average, getting on base, and hitting 20-25 homers per year.
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