Thursday, January 31, 2013

#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!

Tuesday, January 29, 2013

"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.

Saturday, January 26, 2013

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. 

Friday, January 25, 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!

Buried Treasure Facebook Page!


#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

Thursday, January 24, 2013

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.

Wednesday, January 23, 2013

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.

Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Mining for Prospects: Untapped Markets

Dovydas Neverauskas hails from
baseball neophyte Lithuania
A few weeks ago, it became public knowledge that the Pirates signed Australian pitching Nick Hutchings back in November.  One of the interesting developments revealed by the signing was a relationship between Pirates and the Australian League team Adelaide Bite.  Pirates scout Tony Harris doubles as the Bite's manager.  Hutchings is also one of several players in the Pirates organization from Australia.  None of them are big-time prospects or high-profile international signings, but that may come.

Monday, January 21, 2013

Pirates Finally Set To Sign Francisco Liriano

The Pirates have reached an agreement with Francisco Liriano, restructuring the original two-year, $12.75M contract, according to Ken Rosenthal. The lefty broke his right arm after agreeing terms with the Bucs at the end of December and if Liriano misses time due to the injury then his 2013 salary will be reduced (Jon Heyman describes it as language protecting the club). The club will need to make a move to make room on the 40-man roster once the deal is finalized after Liriano's physical.