Having opted for Skenes over Crews or Langford, the Pirates desperately need either White or Polanco to turn into a star.
Otherwise, the real surprise for me is Brannigan. The general consensus at the time he was drafted was that he had the most potential as a pitcher. And his early results suggested that was correct. But he had such a good season this year while showing the ability to play in the middle of the diamond. Very impressive, and jams up the infield even further.
That’s not where I’m coming from. They need an impact outfielder desperately, and it strikes me as a realistic expectation to actually produce such a person through the draft or through international signings. Why do the Pirates find this so damn hard?
Hoping that Lonnie White becomes an average regular is defeatist.
If hoping that Lonnie White is an average regular is defeatist, then you have a wildly incorrect expectation of what prospects are and what they become.
You think it’s a Pirates problem? Look at the Braves, widely considered to be one of the biggest developmental success stories. I’ve gone into detail about how almost all of their highly rated pitching prospects from five years ago flamed out. Per FG’s prospect list from five years ago, when most of their system was pitching-heavy, the Braves two highly rated position prospects were Christian Pache and Drew Waters. Both of those guys are maybe 4th OF five years later.
Great recap! Question for WTM, any plans to move/continue the Depth Charts at thus site? They are a valuable resource.
There were some absolute UNITS on that roster this year.
Great stuff again WTM, thanks!
Having opted for Skenes over Crews or Langford, the Pirates desperately need either White or Polanco to turn into a star.
Otherwise, the real surprise for me is Brannigan. The general consensus at the time he was drafted was that he had the most potential as a pitcher. And his early results suggested that was correct. But he had such a good season this year while showing the ability to play in the middle of the diamond. Very impressive, and jams up the infield even further.
To need White/Polanco to be a star seems a bit of a stretch to me since they’re so far away. I’d hope for an average regular out of that group.
I think the meme is since they passed on Crews (who is destined to be a star) they need to have a star from similar aged outfield prospects.
That’s not where I’m coming from. They need an impact outfielder desperately, and it strikes me as a realistic expectation to actually produce such a person through the draft or through international signings. Why do the Pirates find this so damn hard?
Hoping that Lonnie White becomes an average regular is defeatist.
If hoping that Lonnie White is an average regular is defeatist, then you have a wildly incorrect expectation of what prospects are and what they become.
You think it’s a Pirates problem? Look at the Braves, widely considered to be one of the biggest developmental success stories. I’ve gone into detail about how almost all of their highly rated pitching prospects from five years ago flamed out. Per FG’s prospect list from five years ago, when most of their system was pitching-heavy, the Braves two highly rated position prospects were Christian Pache and Drew Waters. Both of those guys are maybe 4th OF five years later.
They haven’t had a legit OF prospect since Austin Meadows…
Good stuff Wilbur. These type articles are definitely where you fly the highest.
Thanks for all your hard work putting this info together.