PIRATES PROSPECTSPITTSBURGH PIRATES MINOR LEAGUE NEWS, TRANSACTIONS, AND ARTICLES

Everyone is getting up to speed in Bradenton.... looking at some Pirates' prospects. �Again, these are in no particular order other than generally from the lower levels to the higher levels. Quinton Miller was the Pirates' 20th round pick in the 2008 draft. �The righty came out of high school in New Jersey, and signed with the Pirates late. �He didn't begin his pro career until the 2009 season, when, after extended spring training, he was sent to short season State College. �Miller made his pro debut on June 20th, with a 4-inning start. �He allowed 2 runs on 5 hits, no walks, with 2 strikeouts. �The two runs came in the first inning on a double and two singles. �After that inning, Miller settled down and though he put a runner on base in each of the next three innings, he retired all three of them with a force out and two double plays. �His second start was less successful -- three runs (one earned) on 5 hits and 3 walks in 3 innings, and with not much run support behind him, Miller took that loss. �Even so, the Pirates though his stuff was good enough to earn him a promotion to West Virginia. �Miller made 12 starts for the Power, and while he gave up a lot of runs, particularly in July, he still wasn't awful for his first pro season. �In 6 starts in July, Miller allowed 20 runs (17 earned) on 28 hits, with 13 walks and 20 strikeouts in 29 innings -- a 1-2 record and a 5.28 ERA. �His toughest start came on July 19th, when he gave up 7 runs on 6 hits and 3 walks in 4 innings. �But, on July 30th, he pitched 6 shutout innings, allowing 6 hits and 2 walks. �August showed some improvement, as his ERA dropped to 4.22 with a 1-1 record. �He gave up 10 earned runs on 20 hits in 21.1 innings, with just 9 walks and 16 strikeouts. �On August 29th, he struck out 6 batters in 5 innings. �Miller finished the season on a strong note. �His last appearance, on September 3rd, was another 6-inning start, and he allowed just one run on 2 hits and 3 walks, with 4 strikeouts. �Miller had a solid showing for his first season. �The 20-year-old could begin 2010 with a short stint back in West Virginia, or possibly stay right there in Bradenton if he has a strong spring showing. Another right-hander, Maurice Bankston, also split the 2009 season between State College and West Virginia. �The Arkansas native was the Pirates' 8th pick in the 2007 draft. �He got in 2 games with the GCL Pirates that season (0-2 record, and 3.38 ERA in 2.2 innings), then spent all of the 2008 season with State College. �Bankston struggled with some shoulder issues during the season and eventually went onto the DL in August, after 35 innings in 9 appearances (7 starts) and an 0-5 record. �The 2009 season began with Bankston in West Virginia, where he had a mixed-result spring. �He had three very good outings -- one 5-inning shutout performance for his only Power win, one 4-inning effort with no earned runs, and another with just one earned run. �Then he had some so-so starts, and a couple of very tough starts, allowing 7 runs in 5 innings and 4 runs in 4 innings. �Overall, in 9 starts and 43.1 innings in West Virginia, Bankston had a 1-4 record and a 4.98 ERA, allowing 48 hits and 24 earned runs, with 16 walks, and 25 strikeouts. �When some roster-shuffling happened to move Tony Sanchez to West Virginia at the end of June, Bankston was sent to State College. �He made 9 more starts for the Spikes, and had more success, with a 2.34 ERA and a 2-4 record. �He had one very good start, going 7 shutout innings against Batavia and allowing only 3 hits and one walk. �The rest of his starts in State College were ok -- not spectacular and not horrible. �He walked only 5 batters over 50 innings, which was a big improvement and probably what contributed most to the lower ERA, since he still gave up 54 hits. �His last four starts were generally better, as he allowed 4 runs on 23 hits over 23 innings. �Bankston went back onto the Disabled List again in August and did not pitch after August 9th. �Bankston will turn 23 years old in June, and he will need to show some definite improvement in West Virginia in 2010 in order to keep moving ahead in the organization.

The Pirates won only 62 games in 2009, meaning they will need a significant jump simply to sniff a .500 season. Where will that major improvement come from? Let’s find out. First, the offense.

Baseball America and Project Prospect released their top 100 prospects lists today. See how the Pirates fared.

Our magical run in the Pittsburgh Sports Blog Tournament comes up a bit short.

Looking at some Pirates' prospects as the early work outs go on in Bradenton...

Tony (Jorge Anthony) Sanchez was the Pirates' first round pick in the 2009 draft. �The signing was somewhat controversial, but taking into account "signability", and the problems surrounding pitchers who have been signed in the first round over the past several years, Sanchez was thought to be a reasonable choice. �Sanchez had made a big jump in his game in his junior year at Boston College, and finished the 2009 season there with a .346 average, 19 doubles, 14 homers, and 51 RBI. �He signed with the Pirates quickly, and got right to State College to get his feet wet. �In 4 games with the Spikes, he went 4-for-13 with a double and an RBI. �Then he proceeded on to West Virginia, where he endeared himself to Power fans with a .316 average, 15 doubles, 7 homers, and 46 RBI in 41 games. �Sanchez was named the South Atlantic League Player of the week for August 10th - 16th. �Playing in just 4 games that week, Sanchez went 10-for-16, with 4 doubles, 2 homers, and 10 RBI. �With Lynchburg getting into the playoffs in September, Sanchez was promoted again. �He played in the �Hillcats' last three regular season games, but had only 2 hits, both doubles. �In the Hillcats' two playoff series, Sanchez went 5-for-33, but did have an RBI double and a 2-run homer. �Sanchez has been invited to the Pirates' major league camp for 2010 Spring Training -- as an honor extended to the first-round draft pick, and because catchers are always needed in camp. �He will likely begin the 2010 season at A+ with the new Bradenton Marauders (who replaced Lynchburg), though there is an outside chance that he could be assigned to AA Altoona. �Even with a start in Bradenton, if Sanchez continues to impress, he is likely to reach Altoona by the end of the season. Other notes: Another Pirates' first-round draft pick, Bryan Bullington, is a non-roster invitee in the Kansas City Royals' camp. �Bullington, who is from Indiana and attended Ball State University in Muncie, talked to Doug Zaleski of the Star-Press, which covers the Muncie area.

Garrett Jones arrived in Pittsburgh with a bang last summer, blasting ten home runs in his first 19 games. Many people, such as me, said it would never last. But Jones just kept hitting, finishing the season with a .293/.372/.567 line in 358 plate appearances. What will happen in 2010? Is Garrett Jones for real?

Two pitchers named Erickson, both right-handers..... �don't get confused...

Jason Erickson was the Pirates' 24th pick in the 2009 draft. �The 23-year-old made 11 starts (14 appearances) for University of Washington in his senior year, and he also split his time between starting and the bullpen in State College. �His ERA was better as a starter than as a reliever (2.27 in 8 starts and 3.24 in 8 relief appearances), but three of his four wins came as a reliever (1-2 as a starter and 3-0 as a reliever). �Erickson made his debut in the Spikes' season opener, with a 1-2-3 inning of relief, including striking out the first batter he faced. �He made one start and three relief appearances in June, �for a total of 10 innings, allowing 5 hits and one unearned run, no walks, and 7 strikeouts. �He had some tough outings in the second half of July, including two in a row in which he allowed 3 runs in 3 innings. �August was better again, as Erickson made 4 starts and one relief appearance, and allowed just 3 runs for the month, despite 19 hits over 20.2 innings (1.31 ERA). �He walked 5 batters in July and only one batter in all of August. �His last outing, on Sept 6th, was unfortunately not one of his best, though he earned a win in relief despite allowing 3 runs on 6 hits and a walk in 4 innings. �His final ERA was 2.70 in 56.2 innings, with 59 hits, 23 runs (17 earned), 7 walks, and 49 strikeouts. �That should earn him a spot in West Virginia, where he may again alternate between starting and the bullpen.

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Casey Erickson was not a Pirate draftee -- he came to the organization from the Yankees in the trade for Eric Hinske. �This Erickson was the Yankees' 10th round pick in the 2006 draft. �The 24-year-old Illinois native spent two seasons with the Yankees' affiliate in the Gulf Coast League, then most of the 2008 season in the New York-Penn League. �He reached the A level for 3 games at the end of 2008, and then came back to A Charleston to begin 2009. �After 21 games (3 starts) and 44 innings in Charleston, Erickson had a 3-3 record and a 2.25 ERA. �When he changed teams in the same league and joined the West Virginia Power after the trade, Erickson made 3 more starts and 12 relief appearances. �He won all three of his starts, and allowed 3 earned runs on 15 hits and 2 walks over 16.1 innings for a 1.65 ERA. �He was even better in relief, earning a 2-1 record and 5 saves with a 0.82 ERA. �In 22 relief innings, he allowed just 2 earned runs on 21 hits, with 4 walks. �He also struck out a total of 32 batters while walking only 6 for the Power. �Erickson was a little more effective against right-handed batters, who hit .235 against him for a 0.90 ERA (.258 average and 1.47 ERA for lefty batters). �That all should earn him a spot in the A+ Bradenton bullpen for 2010.

Looking at some Pirates' prospects, as the first workouts are underway in Bradenton... �today, a couple of middle infielders.

Brock Holt was drafted by the Pirates in the 9th round of the 2009 draft. �At Rice University, Holt was moved from shortstop to second base. �The Pirates had him playing both short and second at State College, where he reported after signing. �The Texas native committed one error in 18 games at second base, and 8 in 45 games at short, though that isn't bad for Short Season A level. �Holt had hit .348 at Rice, then went on to hit .299 overall at State College. �Like several others, Holt struggled in his first 10 days, hitting just .156, with one homer. �He began his turn-around over four games in early July, when he went 8-for-20, including his second homer. �He had another busy week at the end of July, going 12-for-23, including three 3-hit games. �That boosted his average to .281 for the month of July. �August was even better for Holt: �.326 with 6 doubles, 2 triples, and a homer. �He had 14 RBI in July and 12 in August. �Holt finished the season with another memorable week, going 11-for-25 over 6 games, with 3 doubles and 5 more RBI. �Holt also shows good plate discipline, with 26 walks and 31 strikeouts in 66 games. �Half of the strikeouts came in the month of July, and he struck out just 9 times in August/September. �The walks were pretty evenly distributed throughout the season. �He also stole 9 bases for the Spikes, and was not caught stealing at all. �Holt was named to the New York-Penn League All-Star; he got into the game in the 6th inning as the DH, and grounded out, then walked and scored for the NL team. �The 21-year-old will be ready for West Virginia to begin 2010. �His position in the middle infield may depend on which other middle infielders are there with him.

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One of the middle infielders Holt may share duties with will be Ty Summerlin.�Summerlin was the Pirates' 30th pick in the 2009 draft. �He reported to State College, where he shared middle infield duties with Holt, mostly playing second base while Holt was at short. �Summerlin had 5 games at short and had 4 games at third base. �He committed 9 errors at second base, and two each at short and third -- again, not bad for that level. �Summerlin was another in the group who struggled early, with just one hit in his first 6 games. �He too did better in July, hitting .261 with 3 doubles, a triple, and 7 RBI. �But, he couldn't keep it going, and his average dipped again in August/September, when he hit .206, with 2 doubles, and 3 RBI. �That gave him a .224 average for the season, with 5 doubles, a triple, and 11 RBI. �Strikeouts were a problem, even during July, with a total of 41 for the season (24% of his at-bats). �Holt will need to improve his plate discipline and hit hitting going forward. �His ability to play more than one position in the infield will help him, but if he isn't hitting, he's going to find himself squeezed out by Holt, Jarek Cunningham, and the Gonzalezes (Benjamin and Elevys) and Gift Ngoepe coming up behind him.

Rob Biertempfel reports that management is encouraged by Kevin Hart's offseason adjustments. At this point, Hart appears to be the front-runner in the battle for final rotation spot.

Taking a look at a couple of the Pirates' outfielder prospects:

Evan Chambers was the Pirates' 3rd round pick in the 2009 draft. �The Florida native had hit well in the spring at Hillsborough Community College -- .338 average, 14 doubles, 10 homers, and 32 RBI -- but he had also struck out 45 times (27% of his at-bats). �Chambers signed quickly enough to get in 58 games with State College, where he played exclusively in center field. �He struggled in his first month, hitting just .176 in July (26 games), with 6 doubles, one homer, and 5 RBI. �The strikeouts were again a problem, with 37 K's (44% of his at-bats). �The rest of the season went much better, as Chambers settled in. �He hit .296 for the month, with 9 doubles, 3 homers, and 17 RBI. �His strikeout rate was still high (36%, 41 K's) but it was better. � He finished with an overall .245 average. �Chambers did better against southpaws (.333 average) than against right-handed pitching (.215), though it's hard to know whether or not that means much after just half a season. �In the outfield, Chambers has good speed, particularly for a player who is 5' 11" and 210 pounds. �His arm is said to be "adequate". �He did ok in center field in State College, but could also fit into one of the corner outfield spots. �Chambers, who will turn 21 next month, should begin the 2010 season in West Virginia. �Clearly, the strikeouts will be a big thing for him to work on.

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Outfielder Pat Irvine came to the Pirates in the 33rd round of the 2009 draft. �The 23-year old (at the time) had come back from an injury-filled junior year season at Elon University (in North Carolina) with a power-filled senior year. �He hit .402, with 14 doubles, 5 triples, 17 homers, and 57 RBI. �After signing with the Pirates, the Massachusetts native joined the State College Spikes, where he split his time between third base (47 games) and left field (16 games). �Like Chambers, Irvine struggled at the plate early, hitting only .187 in June and July, with 3 doubles, 4 triples, one homer, and 18 RBI. �Irvine did strikeout 26 times (24% of his at-bats). �The second half of his season was much better, too. �Irvine hit .303 over August and the first week of September, with 7 doubles, 2 triples, 2 homers, and 23 RBI. �He struck out only a little less, though -- �23 times (21% of his at-bats). �All that gave Irvine a .245 average for the year. �It's not clear why Irvine spent so much time playing third base when he was supposed to have been drafted as an outfielder. �He doesn't seem to have played that position much, if at all, in college. �It isn't surprising, then, that he made 15 errors in his 47 games at third. �It will be interested to see what position he plays in 2010, when he will probably be moved up to West Virginia.

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Jorge Arangure reports today that the Pirates have signed 17-year-old Dominican outfielder Willy Garcia. Garcia receives a signing bonus of $280,000, the largest bonus...