#24 Pirates Prospect - Zack Dodson

Buried Treasure Top 30 Prospects   
#24 - Zack Dodson

Measurables: 6'2, 190
Bats: L, Throws: L
Position: P
Acquired: 4th round (115th overall), 2009
Bonus: $600,000
DOB: 07/23/1990
Buried Treasure 2012 Top 20: #16

#25 Pirates Prospect - Bryan Morris

Buried Treasure Top 30 Prospects   
#25 - Bryan Morris

Measurables: 6'3, 200
Bats: L, Throws: R
Position: P
Acquired: Trade (for Jason Bay from the Dodgers)
Bonus: $1,350,000
DOB: 03/28/1987
Buried Treasure 2012 Top 20: Not Ranked

Quietly Good

Flashy draws a crowd.  Big tools - power and speed for hitters or triple digit heat - create hype, hysteria, and often disappointment when expectations aren't met.  That doesn't prevent fans, scouts, and the media from dreaming and drooling over players who could and should turn into stars.  Little attention is given to those who simply get the job done, especially when it's done without massive power, elite speed, or a fireball for a fastball.  These players don't have a chance to be a superstar, but they are quietly good.

31+ Mini Series

Currently, I'm working on my top 30 Pirates prospect list. As I write this, I'm one-sixth of the way through with prospects 26-30 finished.  What's most exciting is that a list of 30 actually includes 30 intriguing prospects.  In years past, finding 20 players in the Pirates system worth writing about was often difficult.  That's finally changed, and even 30 may not be enough. 

 In the past, I've written articles about several players that didn't make my top 30. Below is the current list.  They will start a new mini-series "31+" that will feature spotlights on other players in thefarm systems in a more narrative writing style.  Make sure to check back regularly as this will be updated regularly.  Enjoy!

Offseason: Potential Trade Targets v. 2.0

Drew Pomeranz: Potential Trade Target?

Here, I outlined a few players the Pirates could target in trades this offseason to help the team in 2013 and beyond. Since then, the baseball landscape has changed drastically thanks to a blockbuster trade between the Toronto Blue Jays and Miami Marlins.  As a result, I've put together a new list detailing players the Pirates should look to add via trade this offseason. Without a further ado, Offseason: Potential Trade Targets v. 2.0.

#26 Pirates Prospect - Elvis Escobar

Buried Treasure Top 30 Prospects
#26 - Elvis Escobar

Measurables: 5'9, 165
Bats: L, Throws: L
Position: CF
Acquired: IFA, 2011
Bonus: $570,000
DOB: 09/06/1994
Buried Treasure 2012 Top 20: Not Ranked

#27 Pirates Prospect - Harold Ramirez

Buried Treasure Top 30 Prospects
#27 - Harold Ramirez

Measurables: 5'11, 175
Bats: R, Throws: R
Position: CF
Acquired: IFA, 2011
Bonus: $1,050,000
DOB: 09/06/1994
Buried Treasure 2012 Top 20: Not Ranked

Crystal Ball: The Pirates Farm System

Right now, Buried Treasure's top 30 prospects are being unveiled (check those out here).  That list, along with various prospect lists put out by Baseball America, Baseball Prospectus, and Minor League Ball, outlines the state of the Pirates farm system right now.  However, throughout next season, that farm system will continue to change and evolve.  When the season completes, more lists will come out that take the temperature of the Pirates farm system.

The Tale of Two "Halves"

Under Neal Huntington, the Pirates have spent significant amounts of money on projectable high school pitchers with the hopes of hitting it big on one or two.  The general demographic of those pitchers is as follows: drafted in the 4th through 10th round and given a bonus ranging from 400,000 to 1,200,000 dollars. Names include Quinton Miller, Zack Von Rosenberg, Zack Dodson, Trent Stevenson, Colton Cain, Nick Kingham, Ryan Hafner, Clay Holmes, Tyler Glasnow, Jake Burnette, Jason Creasy, Colton Brewer, and most recently, Jon Sandfort and Hayden Hurst.  

By now, most people know the rhetoric.  The first five names, drafted in 2008 and 2009, have been largely failures.  Miller has done nothing and Stevenson has already retired.  Dodson has been mildly successful, but also got suspended for 50 games. According to some reports, Cain saw his stuff decline from high school, but did at least make it to A+ ball and was part of the Pirates trade for Wandy Rodriguez, producing some value.  Von Rosenberg continues to tantalize with good results from time to time, but his projectable frame hasn't produced the expected and desired effect of increased velocity and that has held him back

#28 Pirates Prospect - Jin-De Jhang

Buried Treasure Top 30 Prospects 
#28 - Jin-De Jhang

Measurables: 5'11, 220
Bats: L, Throws: R
Position: C
Acquired: IFA, 2011
Bonus: $250,000
DOB: 05/17/1993
Buried Treasure 2012 Top 20: Not Ranked