The Pirates Prospects 2017 Prospect Guide is now available for pre-sales. The book will be released the week before Spring Training, and we are currently in the process of making the final changes with editing and formatting.
The book features prospect reports on everyone in the system, the 2017 top 50 prospects, and the most comprehensive coverage of the Pirates’ farm system that you can find. Subscribers to the site get discounted books, with Top Prospect subscribers getting $10 off, and Annual subscribers getting $5 off. The eBook will be released when the book is released, and will also come with discounts. Details on the promotions can be found on the products page, and you can subscribe to the site or upgrade your current plan on the subscriptions page.
While the top 50 prospects are exclusive to the book, we will be releasing the top 20 prospects over the next few weeks as a countdown to the start of Spring Training, and to give a preview of the release of the book. We will be wrapping up on Monday, February 13th. The reports will only be available to site subscribers, including those with a monthly plan. You can subscribe here, and if you like these reports, be sure to purchase your copy of the book on the products page of the site to get much more analysis on every player in the system.
To recap the countdown so far:
20. Alen Hanson, 2B
17. Elias Diaz, C
16. Max Kranick, RHP
13. Clay Holmes, RHP
10. Gage Hinsz, RHP
We continue the countdown with the number 5 prospect, Kevin Newman.
5. Kevin Newman, SS
When Newman was drafted, there was some debate about whether he would be a future utility infielder in the majors, or have the skills necessary to be a starting shortstop. The opinion was pretty evenly split after his first professional season. That has changed following the 2016 season, with Newman looking more like a future starting shortstop in the majors.
Newman made some nice strides defensively in 2016, working on a few aspects to increase his range and his effectiveness on routine plays. He started his work in Bradenton by focusing on getting to an earlier set position, aimed at getting a quicker jump on the ball, and adding an extra step to his left or right. He went up to Altoona later in the year and worked with Joey Cora, who is now the Pirates’ infield coach, on routes and efficiency to either side, along with making the routine plays.
There are still some things to iron out in Newman’s defensive game, and right now he is putting the priority of his work on that side of the ball. The Pirates have him watching video of Jordy Mercer, which is fitting, since a lot of the changes and improvements that Newman needs to make are the same ones that Mercer worked on in the upper levels.
The offensive game for Newman is well ahead of the defense. That was a big reason why he was a first round pick, and Newman showed exactly how good he was in 2016. Offensively, he should have been in Double-A by the end of April, but was held in Bradenton until June due to his focus on defense. He then went to Altoona and didn’t show many issues with the upper level pitchers.
Newman features a smooth, quick, and compact swing that specializes in line drives up the middle. He narrowed his stance a bit and added a small step to his swing, aimed at adding more power. He won’t be a home run hitter, but the added power and his above-average speed will allow him to drive balls to the gaps for extra bases. If he continues his defensive improvements, he could end up the same or better than Mercer on defense, and an upgrade offensively.
Click Here to Purchase the Pirates Prospects 2017 Prospect Guide
