#12 Pirates Prospect - Clay Holmes

Buried Treasure Top 30 Prospects
#12 - Clay Holmes

Measurables: 6'5, 230
Bats: R, Throws: R
Position: P
Acquired: 9th Round (272nd overall), 2011
Bonus: $1,200,000
DOB: 05/27/1993
Buried Treasure 2012 Top 20: #20

Buried Treasure Exclusive Interview: Michael Colla

In an effort to produce better and more unique content about the Pittsburgh Pirates, Buried Treasure has reached out to members of the Pirates organization for interviews.  The response was awesome, starting with our first volunteer, Pirates farmhand and pitcher Michael Colla.  Moving into the future, the hope is to have more interviews similar to this one.  This particular interview with Michael Colla is after the jump.  Enjoy!

"Next Man Up" Depth Charts

Introducing an exciting addition to Buried Treasure courtesy of Trogluddite, the "Next Man Up" depth charts.  These charts will be permanent fixtures on the website to be used as a resource to view the organization as a whole, it's strengths and weaknesses.  The charts will be highlighted by a tab at the top of the page.  Currently there are two charts, one for positional players and one for pitchers.  Enjoy each! Links to each chart plus a key and explanation for the charts are after the jump.

About the "Next Man Up" Charts

About the “Next Man Up” Charts

The “Next Man Up” charts are modified depth charts that capture the Pirates’ current big league lineup, starting rotation, and closer and project those players’ replacements from within the organization. Each chart lists the incumbent, the next available (full-time) starter, and the “next man up” if the first two players are traded or cut. This allows fans to better understand the strengths (e.g., starting pitching) and weaknesses (shortstop) of the Pirates at an organizational level. The charts focus on starters and ignore part-time players, utility players, and the bullpen. They do not try to project the set-up man and closer; as Joel Hanrahan and Jason Grilli show, these specialists can come from anywhere. The charts also provide the following information after the jump:

Pirates Positional Players Depth Chart: Next Man Up

Updated 2/13/2013.

Please note and make use of the scroll bar at the bottom of the screen as there is additional info on the right side of this chart.

Depth Chart Key
Pitchers Depth Chart

Position	Player	Acquired	ST	OL	40/R5	Bats	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018
C	Russell Martin	FA13	>6.000		Yes	R	30/$6.5	31/$8.5
	Michael McKenry	TR11	1.136	1	Yes	R	28	29	30	31	32
	Tony Sanchez	DR09	0.000	3	2012	R	AAA	25	26	27	28	29
1B	Garrett Jones	MiFA08	3.158	0	Yes	L	31/$4.5	32	33
	Gaby Sanchez	TR12	3.025		Yes	R	29/$1.75	30	31
	Clint Robinson	TR13	0.007	2	Yes	L	28	29	30	31	32	33
	Matt Curry	DR10	0.000	3	2013	L	AA	25	26	27	28	29
2B	Neil Walker	DR04	2.166	1	Yes	SW	27	28	29	30
	Ivan De Jesus Jr	TR13	0.147	0	No	R	AAA	26	27	28	29	30
	Jarek Cunningham	DR08	0.000	3	2012	R	AA	AAA	25	26	27	28
SS	Clint Barmes	FA12	>6.000		Yes	Allegedly	34/$5.5
	Jordy Mercer	DR08	0.118	2	Yes	R	26	27	28	29	30	31
	Chase d’Arnaud	DR08	0.125	1	Yes	R	26	27	28	29	30	31
3B	Pedro Alvarez	DR08	2.085	0	Yes	L	261/$700k	272	28	29
	Josh Harrison	TR09	1.095	1	Yes	R	25	26	27	28	29
LF	Starling Marte	Int FA07	0.070	3	Yes	R	24	25	26	27	28	29
	Alex Presley	DR06	1.091	1	Yes	L	27	28	29	30	31
	Adalberto Santos	DR10	0.000	3	2013	R	AAA	26	27	28	29	30
	Barrett Barnes	DR12	0.000	3	2015	R	A+	AA	AAA	24	25	26
CF	Andrew McCutchen	DR05	3.123	3	Yes	R	26/$4.5	27/$7.25	28/$10	29/$13	30/$14	31/$14.753
	Gregory Polanco	Int FA09	0.000	3	2013	L	A+	AA	AAA	24	25	26
	Mel Rojas, Jr.	DR10	0.000	3	2013	SW	AA	AAA	24	25	26	27
RF	Travis Snider	TR12	2.091		Yes	L	25	26	27	28
	Jose Tabata	TR08	2.081	1	Yes	R	24	25	26	27	284	29
	Jerry Sands	TR13	0.094	1	2015	R	25	26	27	28	29	30
	Josh Bell	DR11	0.000	3	2015	SW	A+	AA	AAA	23	24	25
	Player projected to start the year in AAA and get called up mid-season; not eligible for arbitration
	Player is in a pre-arbitration year; contract is Major League minimum unless otherwise noted
	Player is arbitration eligible; salary (if noted) = arbitration results
	Player is under contract
	Either the Pirates or the player may exercise an option; details provided below the chart

¹ The Pirates exercised a team option for 2013 on 10/31/2012

² The Pirates have a team option for $700,000 for 2014. The player may void the option if eligible for arbitration.

³ The Pirates have a team option for 2018.

⁴ The Pirates have team options for 2017, 2018, and 2019.

All courtesy of Trogluddite
Key

Pirates Pitchers Depth Chart: Next Man Up

Updated 2/13/2013

Please note and make use of the scroll bar at the bottom of the screen as there is additional info on the right side of this chart.

Depth Chart Key
Positional Players Depth Chart

Position	Player	Acquired	ST	OPT	40/R5	Throws	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018
S1	A.J. Burnett1	TR12	>6.000	0	Yes	R	36/$16.5
	Gerrit Cole	DR11	0.000	3	2014	R	22	23	24	25	26	27
	Luis Heredia	Int FA10	0.000	3	2014	R	A	A+	AA	21	22	23
S2	Wandy Rodriguez2	TR12	>6.000	0	Yes	L	34/$13	35/$13
	Jameson Taillon	DR10	0.000	3	2014	R	AA	22	23	24	25	26
	Tyler Glasnow	DR11	0.000	3	2015	R	A-SS	A	A+	AA	23	24
S3	James McDonald	TR10	3.080	0	Yes	R	28/$3.025	29	30
	Charlie Morton3	TR09	4.010	0	Yes	R	29/$2	30
	Nick Kingham	DR10	0.000	3	2014	R	A+	AA	23	24	25	26
S4	Francisco Liriano4	FA13	>6.000	?	Yes	L	29/$1	30/$5-$8
	Kyle McPherson	DR07	0.036	1	Yes	R	25	26	27	28	29	30
	Clay Holmes	DR11	0.000	1	2015	R	A	A+	AA	AAA	24	25
S5	Jeff Karstens	FA13	5.132	?	Yes	R	30/$2.5
	Jeff Locke	TR09	0.058	1	Yes	L	25	26	27	28	29	30
	Justin Wilson	DR08	0.035	2	Yes	L	25	26	27	28	29	30
Closer	Jason Grilli	FA11	>6.000	0	Yes	R	36/$2.25	37/$4
	Mark Melancon	TR13	2.098	0	Yes	R	28	29	30	31
	Player projected to start the year in AAA and get called up mid-season; not eligible for arbitration
	Player is in a pre-arbitration year; contract is Major League minimum unless otherwise noted
	Player is arbitration eligible; salary, if noted, = arbitration results
	Player is under contract
	Either the Pirates or the player may exercise an option; details provided below the chart

¹ The Pirates pay $8,000,000 of Burnett’s 2013 contract.

² The Pirates pay $8,500,000 of Rodriguez’s 2013 contract. Rodriguez’s option became a player option when he was traded by Houston; the Pirates will pay $7,500,000 if the option is exercised.

³ Morton is unlikely to be available before June, 2013.

⁴ Liriano is guaranteed only $1 million in 2013; however, if he does not miss any games due to his broken right (non-throwing) arm, he can earn up to $4.75 million. The Pirates have a team option for 2014; that option will be for $5, 6, or 8 million depending upon missed games due to Liriano’s broken right arm.

#13 Pirates Prospect - Alex Dickerson

Buried Treasure Top 30 Prospects
#13 - Alex Dickerson

Measurables: 6'3, 225
Bats: L, Throws: L
Position: 1B
Acquired: 3rd Round (91st overall), 2011
Bonus: $380,700
DOB: 5/26/1990
Buried Treasure 2012 Top 20: #13

Names to Know for the 2013 Draft v. 5.0

To understand this article, simply look at the four previous versions in the series.  Each version contains player profiles of top draft prospects for the 2013 MLB draft.  Refer to each version below.

Version 1.0
Version 2.0
Version 3.0
Version 4.0

Russell Martin's Role In The Potential Success Of This Winter

Neal Huntington has made some big additions, as well as a noteworthy subtraction, this winter. He’s traded his closer for a quartet of players, with Mark Melancon and possibly Jerry Sands beginning the year in Pittsburgh, re-signed Jason Grilli and Jeff Karstens as well as further strengthening the rotation with Francisco Liriano. However, I believe that the success of the winter will reside on the performance of the club’s new catcher, especially if the offense fails to progress further in 2013. 

We've Entered the Facebook Realm; God Help Us All

It's official. Buried Treasure has a Facebook page to go along with our twitter account.  If Facebook is more your thing, like our page, friend the account, and find all of Buried Treasure's content linked on our new page.  We've started and now we can't turn back (I mean we can, but we're not) so join us for the ride!

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#14 Pirates Prospect - Tony Sanchez

Buried Treasure Top 30 Prospects
#14 - Tony Sanchez

Measurables: 6'0, 220
Bats: R, Throws: R
Position: C
Acquired: 1st Round (4th overall), 2009
Bonus: $2,500,000
DOB: 5/20/1988
Buried Treasure 2012 Top 20: #7

In Defense of the Front Office

The Pittsburgh Pirates haven't completed a season with a winning record in two decades.  While all of that isn't on current general manager Neal Huntington's hands, a good chunk - arguably one-fourth - of it is.  Therefore, to claim Huntington is or should be immune from intense criticism would be asinine. That's undeniable.

All that hashed out, I personally believe Neal Huntington, and the entire front office he has assembled, have the Pirates on the right track. In addition, I think there is evidence indicating such a statement is true.  My argument consists of several factors, broken down piece-by-piece in the paragraphs below.

2012 Biggest Prospect Disappointments

The Pirates farm system had a very good year in 2012.  Top pitching prospects Gerrit Cole, Jameson Taillon, and Luis Heredia pitched well and stayed healthy.  In the positional player department, young Latin American prospects Alen Hanson and Gregory Polanco enjoyed massive breakout seasons.  Several other players - Kyle McPherson, Jeff Locke, Nick Kingham, Barrett Barnes, Clay Holmes, Tyler Glasnow, and Wyatt Mathisen, among others - also performed well.  The net overall result was a resounding positive.  That said, it doesn't mean the system was without it's share of failures.  Looking at those failures might not be as enjoyable as the examining the success stories, but it's important to recognize the system's shortcomings. Six players that took a step backwards are listed below.