2015 MLB Draft Board

It's one of the most exciting days of the year for die-hard baseball fans: Draft day.  Technically, the draft is from June 8th to June 10th, with round one happening on June 8th on MLB Network.  This year's draft doesn't have the high-end talent we've seen in previous drafts, especially in 2010-2012, but it does feature a lot of depth.  There are a lot of talented shortstops at the top of the class, followed by some college arms and talented high school outfielders.  The strength of this draft probably lies in the depth of prep talent, and the lack of catching stands out as a weakness.  This draft is built for teams picking in the middle to late first round, as those at the top of the draft board aren't really too far ahead of those in the 15-25 range.

I have provided my scouting reports for the first 50 players on my draft board, with about a sentence each for the next 25 players, and then continue to rank the next 25 players, leading to 100 players on my draft board.

I would like to remind you that these are my own personal rankings, and do not represent any kind of mock draft.  They simply signify the order in which I would take these players if I were in the position to draft them.  As is similar with all rankings of athletes, it gets a little gray as you move deeper into the rankings, with players becoming much closer in talent levels.  That being said, I hope this is helpful for all MLB draft fans, and I'd love to hear what you think!


1.) Brendan Rodgers--SS--R/R--6'0--195--High School
Rodgers is a decent athlete, and his biggest asset is his bat.  He has plus bat speed with a good swing that will generate both contact and power.  Rodgers has average speed and average defnse at short, with good hands and a solid arm that could translate well to third base.  Upside of a .290 hitter with 20-25 homers from a premium position.

2.) Dansby Swanson--SS--R/R--6'0--190--College Junior--Vanderbilt
Good athlete that can hit for a good average with a 60 hit tool.  He has the potential for 12-15 homers per year with already solid gap power.  Plus speed that can lead to 30+ steals per year and solid range at short.  Swanson has an average arm, and a position switch that would land him at second isn't out of the question.  Good plate discipline albeit with some holes in his swing, but still could rise through a system quickly for a hitter.

3.) Dillon Tate--RHP--6'2--185--CJr--UC Santa Barbara
An athletic starter that sits 92-95 MPH, reaching 98 at times.  His slider is a plus pitch at 86-88 with great break on it, while his change is currently a 45-grade pitch with 50-55 potential.  He currently throws a curveball, but it is a below average pitch and may be taken away as a pro.  A high effort delivery can lead to elevation in his pitches if he doesn't finish his follow through, and he needs to show improvement with his command.

4.) Alex Bregman--SS--R/R--6'0--190--CJr--LSU
Bregman has a short swing with great bat speed that generates hard contact.  The swing is relatively linear right now and some added loft could lead to average power in the future.  He loads his hands at the last moment, leading to potential holes in his swing when the velocity and stuff of opposing pitchers increases in the pros.  Average speed and range with a 55 grade arm, but there remains a decent chance that he has to move over to second.

5.) Kevin Newman--SS--R/R--6'1--180--CJr--Arizona
A great hit tool that could lead to a .300+ average every year at a premium position.  His swing generates consistent contact but no power, and he will never top 8-10 home runs in a year.  He uses the whole field as a hitter, and has a good chance to stick at short as a pro.  However, there is a slight chance that his average speed, range, and arm could prompt a move to second base.

6.) Carson Fulmer--RHP--5'11--195--CJr--Vanderbilt
His size and extremely high effort delivery cause some concern about his chances to remain a starter as a pro.  His fastball sits 93-97 MPH and can touch the upper 90's with some consistency, but his control and command can be very wild.  His curve is a plus pitch, with both velocity and depth on it, with his change being a 50-55 grade pitch.  Even if he can't remain a starter, which most believe he will, his fastball/curveball combo could allow him to thrive in the bullpen.

7.) Ian Happ--2B/OF--S/R--6'0--205--CJr--Cincinnati
Happ could be the best pure college bat in the draft, with a potential plus hit tool and average power.  His swing is slightly long and leads to a good amount of strikeouts, but he drives the ball consistently when contact is made.  He's better from the left side of the plate with more power than he has from the right side.  He played second for Cincinnati recently, but there's a decent chance he will end up in an outfield corner.

8.) Tyler Jay--LHP--6'1--175--CJr--Illinois
Jay spent most of the season in the Illinois bullpen for no real reason at all, but his four pitch repertoire will bring him back to the rotation.  His fastball sits 93-95 MPH out of the pen, touching 98, although that may decrease once he settles into the starting role.  His curve is a plus pitch, and his slider has the chance to be above average as well, with a more average change.  He commands his pitches well, giving him number one or two upside as a starter.

9.) Garrett Whitley--OF--R/R--6'1--195--HS
Whitley would be a potential five tool prospect if his arm was better than the average grade it is given.  His bat speed is off the charts, giving him the potential to hit 25-30 home runs a year.  There are some holes in his swing, but he could have a 55 hit tool to go with that power.  His plus to plus-plus speed will keep him in center with at least average defense there.  He has a very high upside if he can make contact.

10.) Jon Harris--RHP--6'4--190--CJr--Missouri State
A projectable college righty who already sits 91-94 with good movement on the fastball.  His curve is a plus pitch and he also has a potentially above average slider to go along with his curve.  The change needs some work, but should be average in the future.  He needs to be more consistent with his release point, but a big durable body with a solid four pitch arsenal gives him at least number two starter potential.

11.) Daz Cameron--OF--R/R--6'1--190--HS
He has the chance to be somewhat of a five tool player, but he may not end up with any true standout tool.  Still, his hit tool has the potential to be plus, and his speed does as well.  His short, quick swing will generate some power and there are not many holes in his swing.  Cameron has the potential to be a .280-.290 hitter with 20-25 home runs a year in his prime, but could also end up a .270 hitter with 15 home runs in his prime.

12.) Ashe Russell--RHP--6'4--195--HS
Russell comes with somewhat of an unorthodox delivery, with a low three-quarters arm slot, but he has the potential for two plus pitches with his fastball and slider.  The fastball sits at 90-94 with good life on it, and the slider could be a 65-70 grade pitch with good late break.  His control has not been much of an issue to this point, but some are concerned about his delivery.

13.) Kyle Tucker--OF--L/R--6'4--175--HS
Tucker is solid across the board with a potential 60 hit tool.  His swing has natural loft to it that already produces some power with a slim frame, and added muscle could lead to above average power.  Swing is a little awkward in its finish, which could lead to some weak contact against better pitching.  He should be at least an average corner outfielder, with a solid arm and average speed.

14.) Walker Buehler--RHP--6'1--160--CJr--Vanderbilt
He has a four pitch mix with all four pitches having the chance to be above average.  The fastball sits 91-94, touching 96 with solid command.  His curve could be his best breaking pitch with good depth, and the slider and change could be 55 grade pitches.  His small stature leads to some concerns about his durability, but he has the potential of a number two starter.

15.) Trenton Clark--OF--L/L--6'0--200--HS
Clark has a big body but still has above average speed that could allow him to stay in center field as a pro.  There is late movement in his arm when he swings, but a the swing is solid with good bat speed and natural loft.  He has the potential for a plus hit tool and 55-60 power while playing a premium position.  A below average arm could cause a team to push him over to left field.

16.) Mike Nikorak--RHP--6'5--205--HS
A big high schooler, Nikorak hits 92-94 consistently but has also sat 94-97 at times, although he has also dipped down to 88-90.  There is good movement on the pitch, and his curve flashes plus.  The change has good movement and can generate swings and misses, and could end up a 55 or even 60 grade pitch.  Control has not been a problem for him, and with a projectable frame he could sit in the mid 90's as a potential top of the rotation starter.  Relatively high risk involved, but potentially a very high reward.

17.) Kyle Funkhouser--RHP--6'2--220--CJr--Louisville
A durable pitcher that sits 92-95 touching 96, Funkhouser can go deep into games and maintain that velocity.  His slider has a chance to be a plus pitch with big break, and the change could be a 55 pitch.  His command and control have been problem in the past, but he showed improvement in those areas this season.  He has the chance to be a number two starter in the majors.

18.) Kolby Allard--LHP--6'0--170--HS
A smaller lefty that has two above average to plus pitch with his fastball and curve.  The fastball sits at 91-93, but touches 96 with good command that could also be a 60 grade.  His curve could be a 60-70 grade pitch, with the change having the chance to be average.  Allard has the potential to be a number two starter, and he has a high floor for a prep lefty.  However, he had a stress reaction injury this spring and hasn't pitched since March.

19.) James Kaprielian--RHP--6'4--200--CJr--UCLA
A good four pitch mix and good frame will serve him well in the pros.  His fastball sits 90-92 but can reach 94 often, along with a potential plus slider and curve that should be at least average with good break.  The change hasn't been used much, but could be a 50-60 grade pitch as well.  He has mid rotation upside with solid command.

20.) Nick Plummer--OF--L/L--5'11--190--HS
Plummer is a similar player to Trenton Clark, and has great instincts in all aspects of the game.  He generates solid contact with a potential 65 hit tool, with good bat speed that can lead to above average power.  He has a chance to stay in center as a pro, and could steal 15-20 bases as a pro.

21.) Brady Aiken--LHP--6'3--210--IMG Academy
The unsigned number one overall pick from the 2014 draft as a prep player, Aiken underwent Tommy John surgery in March.  He went unsigned due to health concerns, and the TJ surgery hurts his draft stock quite a bit, as he had the chance to repeat as the number one overall pick in this draft.  When he's healthy, he has the highest upside of any pitcher in the draft, with a 92-94 fastball that reaches 97, a plus curve and and a plus change.  To go along with that, he has plus command, but is a much bigger injury risk than other players.

22.) Mike Matuella--RHP--6'7--220--CJr--Duke
Matuella had the chance to be the top overall pick before he required Tommy John surgery in April.  He has a huge body with a 93-97 MPH fastaball, along with a potentially 65 grade curve and an above average changeup.  His delivery is repeatable but he has battled injuries throughout college.  He has the chance to be the top pitcher in the class with top of the rotation potential when healthy, but he has to show he can remain healthy.

23.) Cornelius Randolph--SS--L/R--6'1--190--HS
There is a very low chance that Randolph will remain at short as a pro, but he projects to have the arm and bat to profile well at third base.  A quick swing with natural loft form the left side generates both power and contact on a consistent basis.  His arm could be a plus tool, but below average speed will limit his range.  He has an advanced bat for a prep player.

24.) Andrew Benintendi--OF--L/L--5'10--170--College Sophomore--Arkansas
Eligible as a sophomore, Benintendi has a chance to stick in center with 60 grade speed, but an average arm may force a move to left.  He has performed very well in his brief time at Arkansas and is expected to hit for contact as a pro with a smooth swing.  His power saw an increase this year, but should be more average at the next level.  Think of Nate McLouth in his prime as the upside for Benintendi.

25.) Tyler Stephenson--C--R/R--6'4--210--HS
In a recent Baseball America mock draft, Stephenson was projected as the top overall selection.  I don't rank him that high and that projection has based more on signability and relative low-price than Stephenson actually ranking as the best player in the draft, but it does speak well to his upside.  He's a big catcher who has a chance to stay at the position with good receiving skills and a plus arm.  His best tool may be his power from the right side, with a swing that has good speed and loft, but can get long at times.  He won't hit for average as a pro, and may have to move to right field.  His ceiling is a .250, 30+ homer catcher in the mold of Evan Gattis or Brian McCann.

26.) Chris Betts--C--L/R--6'2--220--HS
An offensive minded catcher with a potential plus hit tool, Betts may have more offensive upside than fellow prep catcher Tyler Stephenson.  Betts has big raw power from the left side that could also lead to 30+ homers per year with good plate discipline.  He needs to work on his transfer, but his arm has a 55-60 grade, while the rest of his catching needs improvement.  He is very slow and would need to move to first base if he can't remain a catcher.

27.) Ke'Bryan Hayes--3B--R/R--6'1--205--HS
A strong defender at the hot corner with good hands and a strong arm.  He could improve his quickness and range, but that shouldn't be enough to move him away from third base.  he has somewhat of an awkward swing where he drops his elbow more than most hitters, leading to limited power to this point.  He makes consistent contact and could have a 60 hit tool, along with solid defense at third.

28.) Justin Hooper--LHP--6'7--230--HS
A huge lefty, Hooper has a plus fastball sitting low to mid 90s and touching 97 with a good downhill plane.  His curve can flash above average to plus, and he has made a lot of progress with his change this year.  His delivery causes some concern, with high effort and a lack of consistency.  His command is shaky, and he will need a lot of development time, but he offers significant upside.

29.) Nate Kirby--LHP--6'2--185--CJr--Virginia
Kirby was seen as a safe selection heading into the spring, but a drop in velocity to 89-91 MPH and a lat injury have caused concern for scouts.  His change could be a plus pitch and the slider is inconsistent, looking below average at times and above average at others.  His control is average, and if his velocity returns he could be a mid-rotation starer with two or three above average pitches.

30.) Donny Everett--RHP--6'2--220--HS
Everett has a big body built for durability, and he throws 92-95 touching 96, and has even hit triple digits this spring.  He has great movement on his fastball, but his command is below average despite decent control.  His slider could also be an above average pitch in the low 80s, and his change could be average.  He has the body of a 200+ innings starter, giving him number two or three starter potential.

31.) Scott Kingery--2B--R/R--5'11--175--CJr--Arizona
Kevin Newman's middle infield partner at Arizona, Kingery is another potential top of the order bat with plus contact and plus speed.  His swing is quick and allows him to hit line drives to all parts of the field.  He doesn't have much power projection, and he is closer to 5'8 than his listed 5'11 height.  Kingery has played center field in the past and is athletic enough to return or even give shortstop a try as a pro.

32.) Triston McKenzie--RHP--6'5--160--HS
McKenzie is a very skinny pitcher with a lot of projectability, but he already sits 88-91 and can touch 92 often with good life on the pitch.  He curve has good late break and depth and could end up a plus pitch, but could also be average.  His change will be at best average, but with solid command and a mechanically sound delivery, he has number two potential.  He has a strong commitment to Vanderbilt, and it is traditionally difficult to sign a player away from that commitment, speaking strongly of Vanderbilt's program.

33.) Chandler Day--RHP--6'4--165--HS
You won't find him ranked this high on other lists, but he is a tall and lanky righty with a very projectable frame.  His fastball already sits 90-93 with good sink, and can touch 95.  His slider lacks consistency right now, but will flash plus at times, with his change offering deception and also having above average potential.  He commands all his pitches well, but he can put too much effort into his delivery at times.  He is another Vanderbilt commit, but he has big potential.

34.) Mitch Hansen--OF--L/L--6'4--197--HS
A potential five-tool player with all of his tools, with the possible exception of his hit tool, having the chance to be above average.  His swing is built to hit for hard contact and power, and could help him realize the plus raw power he shows in batting practice.  His arm and speed are 55-60 grades, with good range giving him a chance to be a center fielder.  He is a Stanford commit, and like Vanderbilt, those can be hard commitments for a player to break.

35.) Phil Bickford--RHP--6'4--205--CSo--Community College of Southern Nevada
I had Bickford ranked at number 27 on my draft board back in 2013 when he was a prep player, and had him pegged as a power fastball pitcher without a solid secondary offering.  He went 10th overall that year but didn't sign, and his stock hasn't really climbed since then.  His fastball can be 88-92, but can also reach as high as 98.  The slider could be a 55 grade pitch, but it is inconsistent, and his changeup could be anywhere from a 40 grade pitch to an average pitch.  Decent upside if he can maintain a higher velocity, but he hasn't really improved drastically since being selected 10th overall two years ago, which could be a red flag.

36.) Tyler Nevin--3B--R/R--6'3--200--HS
His father Phil Nevin was the number one overall pick in 1992, so he comes from a good baseball bloodline.  He has a solid body for a third baseman with a 50-55 grade arm, but a good chance he has to move to an outfield corner or first base.  His swing is solid and mechanically sound, generating contact with the potential for above average to plus power due to the natural loft in the swing and good bat speed.  He has the potential to be a .270, 25 home run hitter in his prime.

37.) Drew Finley--RHP--6'3--200--HS
He has some projectability left in his frame, with a fastball that sits 89-91 with solid command and control.  His curve has 12-6 movement and grades as a plus pitch, while his change is more average but with decent movement that could make it above average.  His projectability give his number two or three starter upside, but he will need some development.

38.) Dakota Chalmers--RHP--6'3--175--HS
Chalmers has some of the best velocity in the draft, touching 98 while sitting 89-93 with a projectable frame.  His curve and slider could both be above average, with late break on the curve.  His change needs work, and is by far his weakest pitch.  A high effort delivery could land him in the bullpen, along with shaky control/command.

39.) Juan Hillman--LHP--6'2--180--HS
Hillman shows solid pitchability for a prep pitcher, with solid command and control of all of his pitches.  His fastball sits 89-92 with the chance to gain velocity, and his curve is above average with big break in the low to mid 70s.  His change won't be much better than average, but his pitchability gives him a relatively high floor for a prep lefty and mid rotation upside.

40.) Kep Brown--OF--R/R--6'5--195--HS
Big raw power from he right side with a big frame with room for more muscle.  Some scouts believe his swing is too long, causing some swing and miss and contact issues, but I don't see this as a huge concern.  The follow through of his swing reminds me of a longer version of Giancarlo Stanton's swing, producing plus power.  He has average speed and a slightly above average arm, tools that would play well in right, but he may be destined for first in the future, but his bat should play wherever he lands.

41.) Tristan Beck--RHP--6'4--160--HS
Beck has a solid four pitch mix with a fastball at 90-92 touching 94-96 with a big, projectable frame that offers room for more velocity.  He throws a curve and a knuckle-curve for strikes, along with a change.  His secondary pitches are all average to slightly above average, with the change being a little behind the others.

42.) Alonzo Jones--SS--S/R--5'10--190--HS
Jones is the fastest player in the draft, with true 80 grade speed.  He doesn't have the arm or hands to stick at short, but a move to center field might make sense.  He has solid bat speed with a swing built for line drives.  He may have a 55 hit tool with the chance for 8-12 home runs per year if he can hit the ball consistently.

43.) Cole Sands--RHP--6'3--200--HS
Sands won't turn 18 until July, and the big righty already sits low 90s with good sink and may have the chance to sit mid 90s moving forward.  His slider is inconsistent and won't be above average, but the change could be a 55 grade pitch.  There is a good amount of effort in his delivery and his command needs work, but he is relatively young for the draft, offering him more development time.

44.) Mike Soroka--RHP--6'4--200--HS
A Canadian righty with some projectability left in his arm.  Soroka currently sits low 90s and hits 94 with an easy delivery and loose arm.  The ball may be a little easy to see out of his hand, but he has the chance for two above average secondary pitches with his curve and change, with the change being the better pitch.

45.) Kyle Molnar--RHP--6'3--205--HS
Molnar has possibly the best changeup of any prep pitcher in this draft class, with good movement and command of the pitch.  His fastball sits 88-92, but was a little harder in the past, hitting 94.  The curveball needs some work, but could be an average pitch as he develops.  His pitching makeup is advanced for his age, as is his command.

46.) Chris Shaw--OF--L/R--6'3--250--CJr--Boston College
Shaw may possess some of the best power in the draft, with a quick and short swing that has loft in it.  He's very aggressive and won't hit for a high average or on base percentage, but could be a .250-.265 hitter with 30+ home runs per year.  He is very slow with an average arm, and will probably end up at first base as a pro, where his power should play.

47.) Beau Burrows--RHP--6'1--200--HS
Burrows is a power pitcher who can already sit 90-95, averaging 94 at times and touching 96.  he comes with a higher than three-quarters arm slot that gives his above average curve 12-6 movement.  His change is more average now, but could end up as a 55 grade pitch.  There's not much projection left, but he has good upside if he gains consistency.

48.) Jacob Nix--RHP--6'4--205--IMG Academy
Another 2014 draft selection (5th round) of the Astros that didn't sign after high school and went to play at IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.  Nix did not make my rankings last year, but his fastball sits low 90s and can consistently reach 93-95.  His curve and change are inconsistent, with the curve looking above average and even plus at times, but below average at others.  He has a clean delivery, but this can also be inconsistent.  he has mid-rotation upside, but he will need significant development.

49.) Cody Ponce--RHP--6'5--235--CJr--Cal Poly Pomona
Ponce has a four pitch mix that gives him a good upside, but he has been relatively inconsistent.  His fastball sits 92-94 and touches 96, but the pitch lacks movement and can be hittable.  His cutter flashes plus, and the curve gets grades anywhere from below average to plus.  His change could be average, but his command needs work and he has dealt with some injuries in the past.

50.) Joe McCarthy--OF--L/L--6'3--215--CJr--Virginia
Virginia has produced solid outfield prospects in the last draft, with Mike Papi and Derek Fisher going in the first supplemental round last year.  McCarthy has a smooth swing that generates hard contact to the gaps, but limited lower body movement takes away some power.  He has above average speed but a below average arm will put him in left field.

51.) Antonio Santillan--RHP--6'3--240--HS
Big righty that can reach the upper 90's with his fastball, but needs to work on his mechanics.

52.) Jalen Miller--SS--R/R--6'1--185--HS
Good athlete that has a 50/50 chance to stick at short with a solid feel for hitting.

53.) Eric Jenkins--OF--L/R--6'2--165--HS
Plus runner with solid contact skills and the chance to add power as a potential center fielder.

54.) Lucas Herbert--C--R/R--6'1--195--HS
Potentially the best defensive prep catcher, with bat being a question but with some potential.

55.) Kyle Cody--RHP--6'7--245--CJr--Kentucky
Big righty can reach 97 and sit 93-96 with potentially above average slider, but has command issues.

56.) Alex Young--LHP--6'2--190--CJr--TCU
Solid feel for pitching, but switching over from the bullpen.  Could move quick if change comes along.

57.) Austin Smith--RHP--6'4--215--HS
Athletic pitcher with great arm strength, hitting 97 MPH, but offspeed pitches need work.

58.) Cole McKay--RHP--6'5--220--HS
Big righty from Texas with hard fastball with potentially above average curve, but some command issues.

59.) D.J. Stewart--OF/1B--L/R--6'0--230--CJr--Florida St.
Bat first player with a low to the ground stance, but can generate solid contact and power.

60.) Donnie Dewees--OF--L/L--6'0--180--CSo--North Florida
Turning 22 in September, but solid upside with plus speed and ability to make consistent contact as a center fielder.

61.) Skye Bolt--OF--S/R--6'2--180--North Carolina
Toolsy player, but hasn't had much success after an impressive freshman year.

62.) Luke Wakamatsu--SS--S/R--6'3--185--HS
Solid athlete who could be at least average across the board, but very raw now and may have to move to second base.

63.) Jake Lemoine--RHP--6'5--220--CJr--Houston
Went down with a shoulder injury this spring, but had been 89-94 with sinking fastball and solid secondary pitches in the past.

64.) Gio Brusa--OF--S/R--6'3--210--CJr--Pacific
At least average tools across the board, but only real success came in the 2014 Cape Cod League.

65.) Luken Baker--RHP/1B--R/R--6'4--245--HS
Two way player, hitting 90-95 as a pitcher, and having big raw power as a hitter.  Scouts see him more as a pitcher as a pro.

66.) Christin Stewart--OF--L/R--6'0--205--CJr--Tennessee
Above average raw power with good bat speed and solid plate discipline, albeit with a lower average.

67.) Bryan Hudson--LHP--6'7--205--HS
Very tall lefty sits 86-90 with plus curve, but teams will have to bet his velocity increases.

68.) Carl Wise--3B--R/R--6'2--220--CJr--College of Charleston
Among the top power hitters in college, but won't offer much more and will most likely move to first.

69.) Jackson Kowar--RHP--6'4--170--HS
Projectable prep pitcher with almost side-armed delivery and fastball at 90-95 and solid changeup.

70.) Andrew Suarez--LHP--6'2--205--CJr--Miami
Lefty with a four pitch mix, with all his pitches being more average with solid command/control.

71.) Jahmai Jones--2B/OF--R/R--6'0--210--HS
Athletic player who has some upside, but will more than likely end up a utility player.

72.) Ryan Mountcastle--3B--R/R--6'4--190--HS
Shortstop in high school, but will switch over to third with potential above average power.

73.) Nick Neidert--RHP--6'1--185--HS
Good arm strength with fastball that hits the mid 90's and a potential plus curveball, but little projectability.

74.) Nolan Watson--RHP--6'2--200--HS
Has been very inconsistent, but shows good upside with decent fastball/slider combo, but also a Vanderbilt commit.

75.) Demi Orimoloye--OF--R/R--6'4--225--HS
Very physical and toolsy Canadian outfielder with potential plus power, but is very raw right now.

76.) Tristin English--RHP--HS
77.) Jonathan India--SS--HS
78.) Trey Cabbage--3B--HS
79.) Josh Naylor--1B--HS
80.) Richie Martin--SS--CJr--Florida
81.) Mikey White--SS--CJr--Alabama
82.) Jacob Taylor--RHP--CSo--Pearl River Community College
83.) Bryce Denton--3B/OF--HS
84.) Jeff Degano--LHP--CJr--Indiana St.
85.) Casey Hughston--OF--CSo--Alabama
86.) Chad Smith--OF--HS
87.) Peter Lambert--RHP--HS
88.) Blake Trahan--SS--CJr--Louisiana-Lafayette
89.) Jake Woodford--RHP--HS
90.) Riley Ferrell--RHP--CJr--TCU
91.) Marquise Doherty--OF--HS
92.) Ryan Burr--RHP--CJr--Arizona St.
93.) Garrett Davila--LHP--HS
94.) Andrew Stevenson--OF--CJr--LSU
95.) Parker McFadden--RHP--HS
96.) Josh Staumont--RHP--CJr--Azusa Pacific
97.) Austin Rei--C--CJr--Washington
98.) Wesley Rodriguez--RHP--HS
99.) Kyle Holder--SS--CJr--San Diego
100.) Tanner Rainey--RHP--CSr--West Alabama


If you want me to expand on any player or any aspect of the draft, you can comment in the comment section below or tweet at me @MicMaw with any questions.  Thanks for reading!

2014 Pittsburgh Pirates Prospects Preview

It finally happened.  In 2013, the Pittsburgh Pirates experienced their first winning season since 1992, ending a 20-year losing streak.  The team finished 94-68, won the Wild Card game against the Cincinnati Reds, and reached game five of the National League Division Series against the St. Louis Cardinals.  That was certainly encouraging, but what's really exciting about 2013 is the fact that the Pirates finally began to see their farm system make a major impact on the major league club.  Neil Walker, Pedro Alvarez, Starling Marte, Gerrit Cole, and MVP Andrew McCutchen were a huge part of the success and the foundation of the 2013 Pirates, and were all products of the Pirates' farm system.  Neal Huntington became the General Manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates after the 2007 season, and has since built a then barren farm system into one that is loaded with top prospects and major league depth options, and ranked the number one system in baseball by Jonathan Mayo and Baseball America.  Before 2013, the Pirates hadn't seen much on-field product from the minor leagues, with McCutchen, Walker, and Alvarez being the only real impact players on the team from the farm system, with Alvarez being the only player brought into the system under Huntington.  2013 saw many players brought in via the amateur draft or international free agency during Huntington's tenure, including Alvarez, Cole, Jordy Mercer, Tony Sanchez, Justin Wilson, and Brandon Cumpton, along with other players that spent time in the Pirates' minor leagues who were acquired through trades by Huntington, including Jose Tabata, Josh Harrison, Andrew Lambo, Jeff Locke, Tony Watson, and Bryan Morris.  With one a farm system that is at or near the top in baseball right now, the Pirates can expect to see many contributions from the minors in the near future, some with the potential to make a huge impact at the major league level.  As a small market team where it is difficult for the Pirates to acquire talent through free agency, it is vital for the Pirates to build a strong farm system to bring talent to the major league club, and with the current system, it looks as though Neal Huntington and his staff are doing a great job preparing the Pirates to be winners for the foreseeable future.

In this preview, I will rank my top 30 prospects in the system with short write-ups on each player, predict potential breakout prospects, rank the top five prospects at each position, list the five players closest to the majors, provide a "best tools" list, and predict the lineup and rotation in 2018.

TOP 30 PROSPECTS

1) Gregory Polanco--OF--22 years old--AAA

Polanco is a five-tool prospect that has the chance to rival Andrew McCutchen in offensive and defensive production, possibly giving the Pirates the top outfield in the majors along with Starling Marte.

2) Jameson Taillon--RHP--22--AAA

The number two pick in the 2010 draft, Taillon pairs a mid-90's fastball with a power curve in the low 80's and a good changeup.  Taillon was expected to join the Pirates around midseason in 2014, but an elbow injury has made his status for the beginning of the season uncertain.
UPDATE: Taillon will undergo Tommy John Surgery and will miss the remainder of the season.

3) Tyler Glasnow--RHP--20--A+

Glasnow was one of the biggest breakout prospects in baseball in 2013, posting great numbers across the board with a 2.18 ERA and a 13.3 K/9, thanks to a mid-90's fastball that touches 99 and a plus curve.  Glasnow will also miss some time at the beginning of the season, with back stiffness that will keep him out for 2-3 weeks.

4) Austin Meadows--OF--19--A

As is a current trend at the top of the system, Meadows will also miss time to begin the season, dealing with a hamstring issue.  Meadows is potential five-tool player who can play any outfield spot, with ability that has gotten him comparisons to Mike Trout.  Obviously those comparisons may not be fair, but it's worth mentioning when your talent puts you in the same sentence as Trout.

5) Josh Bell--OF--21--A+

After missing most of 2012 with a knee injury, Bell came back strong in 2013 and showed why he was given a $5 million bonus when he signed as a second round pick.  Look for Bell's home run numbers to improve in 2014, as he has the potential to be a .300 hitter with 25+ home runs a year as a switch hitter.

6) Luis Heredia--RHP--19--A

This is the highest you will see Heredia ranked right now as far as prospect lists go for the Pirates, mainly due to Heredia showing up to Spring Training in 2013 out of shape, leading to him being held back in extended Spring Training and losing innings for the season.  He also dealt with control issues, but still managed a 3.05 ERA for the year.  Heredia will repeat low-A to begin the year, but we must remember that he is still only 19 years-old and has reached the upper 90's in the past with his fastball and has the potential for a plus breaking pitch that is somewhat slurvy, along with a solid change.  Don't lose faith on him just yet.

7) Alen Hanson--SS--21--AA

Hanson made it to AA in 2013, but didn't hit as well last year as he did in 2012, especially at the AA level.  I'm not convinced he will hit and there are a lot of questions about his ability to play shortstop, but if he reaches his potential he could be an All-Star.

8) Nick Kingham--RHP--22--AA

Kingham carried the success of a strong second half of 2012 into 2013, starting the year at high-A and finishing in AA.  He has a strong arsenal with a 91-93 MPH fastball that reaches the mid-90's, along with a curve and changeup that are both above average pitches.

9) Reese McGuire--C--19--A

The fourteenth overall pick in the 2013 draft, McGuire started his professional career strong by hitting .323 in 50 games.  McGuire's calling card is his defense, as he is one of the best defensive catchers in the minors.  His bat is a question, but there is potential for him to be at least an average MLB hitter.  If he hits, he could be an All-Star.

10) Tony Sanchez--C--26--AAA/MLB

After struggling offensively for two years in the minors, Sanchez regained his prospect status by hitting for a .872 OPS at AAA in 2013 and reaching the majors.  He started the 2014 at the major league level, but will be sent down after Chris Stewart is healthy again.  There is a high chance Sanchez will be the starting catcher in 2015 for the Pirates, and will also take over as starter in 2014 if Russell Martin goes down with an injury.

11) Harold Ramirez--OF--19--A

A speedy outfielder from Colombia, Ramirez will play his first full season in 2014 at low-A West Virginia.  Ramirez makes solid contact and has gap power, but will probably never hit more than 10-12 home runs in a year.

12) Brandon Cumpton--RHP--25--AAA

Cumpton reached the majors last year, posting a 2.05 ERA in 31 IP, including a seven inning shutout start against the Cardinals.  He will be used as depth for both the major league rotation and bullpen in 2014, and could be a number four or five starter in the future.

13) Stolmy Pimentel--RHP--24--MLB

Pimentel was out of options to start the 2014 season, and therefore had to be on the major league roster or he would most likely have been lost on waivers.  Pimentel can throw in the mid-90's and has a great slider that can generate strikeouts, giving him the potential to be a number three or four starter in the majors one day.

14) Andrew Lambo--1B/OF--25--AAA

Lambo was expected to be the lefty half of the first base platoon for the Pirates to begin 2014, but a 4-42 spring lost him that opportunity, with Travis Ishikawa taking that spot.  Lambo hit 33 home runs across three levels last year, and could still be a provider for the Pirates in 2014.

15) Barrett Barnes--OF--22--A

Barnes missed a large portion of 2013 with an injury, totaling only 183 at bats.  He wasn't impressive in those bats, with a .399 slugging percentage, a bad number for a player with his raw power, although that may have been due to the injury.  Barnes will return to low-A to start 2014, and in his age 22 season, he will have to develop quickly, especially in a system filled with outfield talent.

16) Willy Garcia--OF--21--AA

Garcia is a player with a great deal of talent, but with he hasn't been able to put it all together yet.  He has good raw power, good range in the outfield, and has a great arm, but will not have much success if he doesn't cut down on his strikeouts, striking out at a 32.08% rate in 2013.  

17) Kyle McPherson--RHP--26--DL/AAA

McPherson was in contention with Jeff Locke for the fifth starter spot heading into 2013, but lost that battle and was injured very early in last season, requiring Tommy John Surgery in July.  Before the injury he was throwing 92-94 MPH with great command, along with at least average curve and changeup.  He had the upside of a solid number three starter, but is more likely to be a back of the rotation guy now, or a middle reliever.  He could return to the mound before the All-Star break.

18) Joely Rodriguez--LHP--22--AA

Rodriguez was added to the 40-man roster after posting a 2.70 ERA in 140 IP across two levels in 2013.  He has a fastball with good sink that sits 91-93 MPH and can reach the mid-90's, along with an average curve and change.  He has solid control and could be a good back of the rotation starter.

19) Cody Dickson--LHP--22--A

The fourth round pick in the 2013 draft, Dickson has a solid three pitch mix, with a fastball that sits in 91-93 MPH that can hit 95, along with potential plus pitches in his curve and change.  He struggles with his control, which could force him into the bullpen if he doesn't improve on that aspect of his game.

20) Clay Holmes--RHP--21--DL

Holmes struggled to begin the 2013 season, but improved his control as the season went on, and his overall numbers followed that improvement.  He looked like he could follow a similar career path as Nick Kingham heading into 2014 until it was discovered that he needed Tommy John surgery and will miss all of the 2014 season.

21) Stetson Allie--1B--23--AA

Allie was once a pitcher.  Let's not talk about those days ever again.  Allie spent his first full season in the minors as a hitter in 2013, and got off to an amazing start in low-A, with 1.021 OPS and 16 homers in 244 at bats.  He moved up to high-A for the remainder of the season and struggled, with a .697 OPS.  Allie has a very high strikeout rate, similar to Pedro Alvarez, and won't have much success unless he works on his pitch recognition.  The Pirates aggressively promoted him to AA to start the 2014 season, mainly due to his enormous raw power, which is the best in the system.  

22) Jacoby Jones--SS/OF--22--A

Jones was one of the most athletic players in the 2013 draft, and the Pirates picked him up with the third pick.  He got off to a great start after being drafted before injuring his knee, which took him out for the rest of the season.  He will play shortstop in 2014, and could climb this list if he continues to hit and can stick at shortstop.

23) Wyatt Mathisen--3B--20--A

Mathisen was drafted as a catcher and seen as a potential two-way player, but was moved to third in spring in order to give him more playing time, with Reese McGuire being the catcher at the same level.  Mathisen was injured for most of 2013, but when healthy he can hit for both average and decent power, along with have an above average arm at the hot corner.

24) Michael De La Cruz--OF--17--GCL

De La Cruz is the youngest player on this list, playing the 2013 season at the age of 16.  He had success in the Dominican Summer League, batting .292, along with great plate discipline that was exemplified by a .436 OBP.  He has good speed and a solid arm, and is comparable to fellow Pirates prospect Harold Ramirez.

25) Jaff Decker--OF--24--AAA

Decker was acquired over the offseason in a deal that sent Alex Dickerson over to the Padres.  I like Dickerson a little better as a prospect, but Decker does impress with great plate discipline with a career .402 OBP in the minors.  He doesn't hit for much power, and will his future should be as a fourth outfielder in the majors.

26) Phillip Irwin--RHP--27--AAA

At 27 years old Irwin is very old for a prospect, but is included on this list due to the probability that he could be in a decent amount of major league rotations right now.  He made one start for the Pirates in 2013, then did not make an appearance for the remainder of the season after he was injured in that game.  Irwin will be used as depth in 2014, and could make a few starts for the Pirates.

27) Jin-De Jhang--C--21--A+

Jhang was aggressively pushed to high-A to begin the 2014 season, skipping over low-A West Virginia to avoid a catching logjam with Reese McGuire.  Jhang makes solid contact and has average power, which paired with improving defense make him an intriguing prospect to watch.

28) Blake Taylor--LHP--18--A-

Although Taylor was taken in the second round of the 2013 draft, he will play most of the 2014 season at 18 years old.  He pairs a low 90's fastball that can reach 94-95 MPH with a potential plus curve, but needs to develop a changeup.  He will most likely start the year in short season ball at either Jamestown or Bristol.

29) Casey Sadler--RHP--23--AAA

Sadler has had success at every level he has pitched at, and gained a lot more prospect recognition after posting a 3.31 ERA in 23 starts at the AA level in 2013.  The Pirates move many young pitchers towards using a sinker, and Sadler is a product of that, and is seeing a lot of success with that pitch.  Sadler could be used as extreme depth in the rotation in the majors in 2014 if needed, and could have a future as a back of the rotation starter.

30) Jose Osuna--1B--21--A+

Osuna is a bat-first first baseman, as he has little defensive value.  Osuna struggled with his offensive production in 2013, but has the potential to be a hitter who can hit for a decent average along with average to above average power.

10 POTENTIAL BREAKOUT PROSPECTS

A "breakout" season means something different for different players.  For a player near the top of the top 30 list, it could mean that he has a chance to move up to maybe the top spot, or even a top 10-25 spot in all of baseball.  It could mean a chance to break a top 100 prospect list, or it could also mean that you could enter or make big strides in the top 30 Pirates prospects list.

1) Luis Heredia

2) Jacoby Jones

3) Stetson Allie

4) Austin Meadows

5) Willy Garcia

6) Harold Ramirez

7) Josh Bell

8) Reese McGuire

9) Jose Osuna

10) Danny Collins

TOP PROSPECTS AT EACH POSITION

RHP

1) Jameson Taillon

2) Tyler Glasnow

3) Luis Heredia

4) Nick Kingham

5) Brandon Cumpton

LHP

1) Joely Rodriguez

2) Cody Dickson

3) Blake Taylor

4) Andy Oliver

5) Zack Dodson

Catcher

1) Reese McGuire

2) Tony Sanchez

3) Jin-De Jhang

4) Carlos Paulino

5) Daniel Arribas

First Base

1) Andrew Lambo

2) Stetson Allie

3) Jose Osuna

4) Chris McGuiness

5) Danny Collins

Second Base

1) Erich Weiss

2) Jarek Cunningham

3) Drew Maggi

4) Dan Gamache

5) Ulises Montilla

Third Base

1) Wyatt Mathisen

2) Adalberto Santos

3) Eric Wood

4) Beau Wallace

5) Kevin Ross

Shortstop

1) Alen Hanson

2) Jacoby Jones

3) Adam Frazier

4) Max Moroff

5) Gift Ngoepe

Outfield

1) Gregory Polanco

2) Austin Meadows

3) Josh Bell

4) Harold Ramirez

5) Barrett Barnes

6) Willy Garcia

7) Michael De La Cruz

8) Jaff Decker

9) Mel Rojas Jr.

10) Elvis Escobar

5 CLOSEST TO THE MAJORS

1) Stolmy Pimentel

2) Tony Sanchez

3) Brandon Cumpton

4) Andrew Lambo

5) Gregory Polanco

BEST TOOLS

Best Contact- Gregory Polanco

Best Power- Stetson Allie

Best Plate Discipline- Jaff Decker

Best Speed- Gregory Polanco

Best Arm- Willy Garcia

Best Defensive Catcher- Reese McGuire

Best Defensive Infielder- Gift Ngoepe

Best Defensive Outfielder- Gregory Polanco

Best Fastball- Tyler Glasnow

Best Curve- Jameson Taillon

Best Slider- Stolmy Pimentel

Best Changeup- Nick Kingham

Best Control- Kyle McPherson

PROJECTED 2018 LINEUP/ROTATION

LINEUP

1) Starling Marte--LF

2) Gregory Polanco--RF

3) Andrew McCutchen--CF

4) Andrew Lambo/Stetson Allie--1B (Yeah, I'm predicting a platoon)

5) Reese McGuire--C

6) Alen Hanson--SS

7) Jacoby Jones--2B

8) Jordy Mercer--3B

ROTATION

1) Gerrit Cole

2) Jameson Taillon

3) Tyler Glasnow

4) Luis Heredia

5) Nick Kingham

Closer) Stolmy Pimentel

Any questions or comments can be sent to me on twitter @mikemaw45 or in the comment section below.  Would you like to have me write about a certain topic for next week's segment?  Let me know!  You can email me at mikemaw45@gmail.com.  I'd also love to have more writers to build the site, if you're looking for an opportunity to write, you can also email me at mikemaw45@gmail.com, and we can discuss any future opportunities.

2014 MLB Preview

The 2014 MLB season will officially start today, although there have been two games that have technically already been played between the Dodgers and the Diamondbacks, with the Dodgers winning both those games.  Opening Day is always a special day, for both fans and players, and after five months of no regular season or postseason games, I think its fair to say we are ready for the season to start.  With that being said, here are my projections for each division, the playoffs, power rankings, and awards, along with write-ups for each team.


AL East

1.) Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox are coming off their third World Series win in ten years, and are poised to make another deep October run.  The team is not without its flaws, as the outfield is definitely a concern, especially with Jacoby Ellsbury's replacement being Grady Sizemore in center, a guy who hasn't had a full season in the majors since 2008.  21 year-old shortstop Xander Bogaerts will get a full season in the majors, and could produce anywhere from 12-20 home runs.  The rotation could be top ten, or it could easily fall into the bottom half of the league if they battle injuries again and Lester and Lackey revert back to 2012 form.
2.) Tampa Bay Rays
The Rays will once again be led by a very strong rotation that consists of David Price, Matt Moore, Alex Cobb, and Chris Archer, along with Jeremy Hellickson and Jake Odorizzi.  The offense may not produce like a playoff team, with Evan Longoria and Wil Myers as the only true offensive threats on the team.  Still, the rotation should be able to carry them into the playoffs.
3) New York Yankees
A lot of people aren't treating the Yankees as though they could be a real contender, but in reality they have a very solid team, that is if they can stay healthy.  If by some miracle the majority of their roster stays healthy, the Yankees could even contend for the division title, but the likelihood of that is very low.  The rotation could be very strong, with newly added Masahiro Tanaka looking like a potential top of the rotation pitcher during Spring Training, with CC Sabathia looking great, as well.  Don't be surprised if the Yankees win over 90 games.
4.) Baltimore Orioles
The Orioles will begin the year without Manny Machado, but will still have a lineup full of power with Chris Davis, Nelson Cruz, Adam Jones, Matt Wieters, and J.J. Hardy.  Machado will provide a boost to the already strong lineup, along with some of the best defense in the majors, if he can remain healthy.  The rotation isn't as much of a sure thing, without a true number one starter that could lead them deep into the postseason.  Jimenez is more of a number two or strong number three starter, and behind Chris Tillman, the rotation consists of three number four starters.  That could change, however, with Kevin Gausman and Dylan Bundy having a chance to impact the rotation at some point in 2014.
5.) Toronto Blue Jays
The Blue Jays will be fueled by a strong lineup, which could become even better with a full season from Jose Bautista, who could approach 40 home runs in 550+ at bats.  Brett Lawrie could also emerge as an impact bat, and Edwin Encarnacion remains relatively underrated despite being one of the best power threats in the game.  The rotation, however, could be a disaster.  When you're apparent ace is a 39 year-old knuckleballer with a 4.21 ERA the previous year, there's a slight problem.  Still, the Blue Jays could be the best fifth team in the division in the majors.

AL Central

1.) Detroit Tigers
The Tigers have very few holes in their team, with the only real problems being shortstop and left field.  Elite defender Jose Iglesias was slotted to be the starting shortstop until he went down with injuries in his shins that will keep him out until midseason.  Miguel Cabrera, the best hitter in the league, will have a shot at another triple crown, but will no longer have Prince Fielder behind him in the lineup, and it will be interesting to see the effects of that, as the player Fielder has batted behind has won his league's MVP the last three years.  The Tigers will also have Nick Castellanos for a full season, and they could receive around 15-20 home runs from him, along with an average around .270, if not higher.  The rotation is deep, with the top three starters, Justin Verlander, Max Scherzer, and Anibal Sanchez all being true aces.  The Tigers are the team to beat in the AL heading into 2014.
2.) Kansas City Royals
The Royals are too far behind the Tigers to have a legitimate chance at the division title, barring any major injuries, and may not even have enough to contend for a Wild Card spot.  The lineup could either be very good, but it could also be below average.  Players like Eric Hosmer, Alex Gordon, Billy Butler, and Salvador Perez could carry the lineup, or they could falter and have none of them reach an .800 OPS.  Mike Moustakas could have a chance at a breakout season after an extremely impressive spring, but he could also remain the same player he was in 2013, where he produced a -0.1 WAR.  There are a lot of questions in the rotation after James Shields, with middle to back end of the rotation starters filling out the rotation.  Flame-throwing 22 year-old Yordano Ventura, who has hit triple digits on multiple occasions this spring, could be a player to watch.  A lot of things would have to go right for the Royals to earn a playoff birth in 2014, but they have the upside on offense to make it happen.
3.) Chicago White Sox
There are a wide range of outcomes for the White Sox in 2014.  They could contend for a Wild Card Spot, or they could lose over 90 games, with the most likely outcome being somewhere in the middle.  The team acquired a couple of interesting players over the offseason, with Adam Eaton and Jose Abreu earning spots on the Opening Day roster.  Eaton, an athletic center fielder, didn't have much success in half a year at the major league level in 2013, but hit .381 in 488 at bats at the AAA level in 2012.  Abreu was signed for $68 over six years out of Cuba, and is said to have easy power that could produce of 30 home runs a year, and so far has been praised by coaches and teammates for his work ethic.  The rotation has a good pair of lefties, with Chris Sale being one of the best lefty starters in the game, and Jose Quintana having a lot of success in 2013.  If Eaton and Abreu experience success, Dayan Viciedo and Avisail Garcia improve upon 2013, Adam Dunn manages 30+ homers again and the back of the rotation pitches respectably, the team could contend for the Wild Card spot, but like the Royals, a lot of things have to go right for that to happen.
4.) Cleveland Indians
The Indians really are what they are, with no real upside in their lineup and no true ace in the rotation.  Justin Masterson can pitch like a number one starter at times, but he is not a consistent ace, and the members of the rotation behind him are unproven.  The lineup isn't going to be anything special, but it isn't going to be bad.  Carlos Santana will move to third base this season from behind the plate, but his offense will still play at the hot corner, and could even see an improvement this year.  Asdrubal Cabrera is in his final season before free agency, so look for him to improve on his stats from 2013.  The Indians managed to make the playoffs in 2013, but it doesn't appear as though they have the roster to make another run in 2014.
5.) Minnesota Twins
The Twins finished with the fifth worst record in the MLB in 2013, and will have a real shot at finishing dead-last in 2014.  Joe Mauer is still a great hitter, but with no protection around him, expect his numbers to slip a little this year as pitchers will pitch around him.  The Twins added Ricky Nolasco and Phil Hughes to the rotation over the offseason, but that probably won't be enough to carry the team over 70 wins.  On a positive side, the Twins have the top prospect in the game in Byron Buxton.  But back to the negatives, they lost the best power hitting prospect in the minors, Miguel Sano, to Tommy John surgery that will keep him out of the field for the rest of the season.

AL West

1.) Texas Rangers
The Rangers allowed Nelson Cruz to walk over the offseason, and also missed 50 games from him during the season for a PED suspension, but made up for the loss by signing Shin-Soo Choo and trading Ian Kinsler for Prince Fielder.  The team potentially has a very powerful lineup, with six players capable of 20+ homer seasons, albeit with a low average from guys like Mitch Moreland and J.P. Arencibia.  The team lost Jurickson Profar, the number one prospect in baseball last year, to an injury that could keep him out for the first half of the season, now leaving an offensive hole at second base, forcing Elvis Andrus to step up his mediocre offensive performances to this point.  Yu Darvish has emerged as one of the top starters in the game, but questions remain behind him in the rotation.  Will Tanner Scheppers be able to make a smooth transition from the bullpen to the rotation?  How will Martin Perez hold up over 180+ IP.  Right now, the team has the talent to win the division, and a big season from Prince Fielder and the continued dominance from Darvish could keep them ahead of the A's.
2.) Oakland Athletics
The A's should once again be in contention with a team built around non-superstars, but players that nonetheless win games.  There is concern that players won't be able to repeat their 2013 performances, as it is doubtful that Coco Crisp will hit over 20 home runs again, and it is not a sure bet that Brandon Moss will hit 30 homers in 2014.  Josh Donaldson had a breakout season in 2013, finishing fourth in the AL MVP voting, but can he sustain the same offensive production for another season, or could he even improve on it?  A player that could emerge as an MVP candidate is Yoenis Cespedes, the Cuban outfielder who saw a huge drop off in production in his sophomore season.  Cespedes is a player that could approach 30 home runs and hit for a .270+ average, but who could also hit .225 like he did in the first half of 2013.  The rotation has become shallow after injuries to Jarrod Parker and A.J. Griffin, leading to Jesse Chavez being listed as the fifth starter.  The A's could once again compete for the division title, but a lot of things could also go wrong, and don't be taken off guard if the team fails to reach .500.
3.) Los Angeles Angels
The Angels have a lot of upside on their offense this year, with newly extended Mike Trout leading the way.  There is little doubt that Trout can put up MVP-caliber numbers again on offense while playing superior defense and being a threat on the bases, but there are questions with regards to the two players on the roster that are making more money per year than Trout.  Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton were very recently some of the best hitters in the game, with Pujols possibly being the best.  If Pujols and Hamilton produce as they are capable of, which at this point is around a .280+ average with 30+ home runs, then the Angels could very well be in the race for the division title.  If those two produce similar totals in 2014 as they did in 2013, then the playoffs are not likely.  The rotation will be led by Jared Weaver and C.J. Wilson, and could get a major boost from recently added Tyler Skaggs, who will get a chance to rebound in 2014 in a new organization.  The team has the potential to win the division, but Albert Pujols and Josh Hamilton will have to return to All-Star form for that to become a reality.
4.) Seattle Mariners
The Mariners were able to sign the top free agent over the offseason, inking Robinson Cano to a ten year, $240 million deal.  Cano will lead an offense that is full of wild cards, with Kyle Seager, Justin Smoak, Corey Hart, Logan Morrison, Dustin Ackley, and Mike Zunino all having the potential to have very productive seasons.  Hart didn't play in 2013, but could easily be a .270 hitter with 25 homers, and Mike Zunino is a good candidate to have a breakout season, despite struggling at the plate in 2013 at both the major league and AAA levels.  The rotation will once again be led by Felix Hernandez, who is coming off a year where he posted the best strikeout rate of his career.  He will be joined by an intriguing young duo of top prospects James Paxton and Taijuan Walker when they are both healthy, along with Hisashi Iwakuma when he returns from the disabled list.  If all four are healthy for the majority of the season, the Mariners could have a dominant rotation for this year, as well as for the foreseeable future.  It is unlikely the Mariners make a run at the playoffs this year, but with the potential for a few breakout and rebound seasons in the lineup and a potentially dominant rotation, the Mariners could be a great dark-horse candidate for the Wild Card.
5.) Houston Astros
The Astros may actually not end the season with the worst record in the majors this year, which would end a streak of three consecutive seasons.  The Astros acquired center fielder Dexter Fowler from the Rockies over the offseason, but Fowler is coming from an extreme hitter friendly park at Coors where he put up a career .880 home OPS, compared to a .694 road OPS.  Catcher Jason Castro could turn some heads this year, quietly coming off of a year where he posted a .835 OPS that was overshadowed by how bad the team was in 2013.  The Astros could also see big contributions from rookies George Springer and Jonathan Singleton, especially from Springer, who nearly had a 40-40 season in the minors in 2013 across AA and AAA.  The rotation is filled with inexperience outside of Scott Feldman, but Jarred Cosart was very impressive in his 60 innings at the major league level last year, posting a 1.95.  The Astros have built one of the best farm systems in the majors, and should be able to break the streak of posting the worst record in the majors.

AL East: Red Sox
AL Central: Tigers
AL West: Rangers
Wild Card: Rays over Athletics

ALDS: Tigers over Rays
             Red Sox over Rangers
ALCS: Tigers over Red Sox



NL East

1.) Washington Nationals
The Nationals are loaded in both the lineup and the rotation heading into 2014, with the pair of Bryce Harper and Stephen Strasburg ready to take the next step into superstardom.  Harper is coming off his age 20 season where he saw a slight improvement in his offense over the previous year, but also dealt with injuries throughout the season.  Many are projecting that a healthy Bryce Harper could reach his full potential and produce like he did in April of 2013, not too long before he missed significant time due to injury, a month where he hit .344 with nine home runs and a 1.150 OPS.  Strasburg had a great season in 2013, but with a newly added slider and more than three years removed from Tommy John surgery, Strasburg should be ready to contend for the Cy Young award.  Behind those two, the Nationals have another potential young star in Anthony Rendon, who should easily improve on a season where he was basically an average hitter.  They also have the potential to be the potential for the best rotation in the league, led by Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann, Gio Gonzalez, and Doug Fister.  The Nationals are poised to improve on their "disappointing" 86 win season in 2013 and could play deep into October.
2.) Atlanta Braves
The Braves came into spring training looking like a true contender, but they hit a major bump in the road when star pitchers Kris Medlen and Brandon Beachy went down for the season with Tommy John surgeries.  Now the pressure will be on Julio Teheran, in his second full season, and recently signed Ervin Santana to lead the rotation, with very little experience behind them.  The lineup should be a bright spot, especially if Jason Heyward can produce like he did in his rookie season in 2010, and if Justin Upton can return to 2011 form.  B.J. Upton and Dan Uggla only have room to grow, and Evan Gattis and Chris Johnson should combine to have similar production as they did in 2013.  Without a strong rotation and with strong competition for the Wild Card, the Braves may have to wait until next year to contend.
3.) Philadelphia Phillies
What can you say about the Phillies?  Do they truly believe they are in contention for a playoff spot in 2014?  Offseason additions of Marlon Byrd and A.J. Burnett would certainly point to that mindset, but the reality is that the Phillies are an aging team that no longer has the offensive core to make a run at the playoffs.  35 year-old Jimmy Rollins has basically been an average player since 2009, and 34 year-old Ryan Howard has lost a great deal of power and ability to hit for average, and those are very unlikely to come back at his age.  The rotation should still be strong with Burnett, Cliff Lee, and Cole Hamels, with Hamels starting the year on the DL.  If the team isn't in contention in July, then it is likely the Phils will shop Lee at the trade deadline.  At this point, the Phillies are more of a .500 team than a contender, but with a massive TV deal in the near future, that could change very quickly.
4.) New York Mets
The hope of the Mets returning to .500 in 2014 lies with Curtis Granderson and Ike Davis, two guys that have the ability to drive in runs and put the ball over the fence, but are also coming off seasons they would like to forget.  Granderson spent most of the season on the DL, and was ineffective while he was playing, and Ike Davis simply had a disastrous season at the plate.  Travis D'Arnaud could eventually become one of the best offensive catchers in the game, but there is usually a large adjustment period for rookie catchers.  While the rotation looks strong for the future, the Mets will play 2014 without star Matt Harvey, who is recovering from Tommy John surgery.  The rotation will consist of Bartolo Colon, Dillon Gee and Zach Wheeler, along with Jonathon Niese and Daisuke Matsuzaka.  Top prospect Noah Syndergaard will be up at some point in 2014 to bolster the rotation.  The trio of Syndergaard, Wheeler, and Harvey will strike fear into opponents eyes in the future, but for now, teams won't be too afraid of the Mets.
5.) Miami Marlins
The Marlins offense was absolutely horrible in 2013, and the only real threat they had, Giancarlo Stanton, was rarely pitched to because opposing pitchers knew they could just get the next batter out.  The Marlins added a little bulk to their lineup over the offseason, and will now have Garrett Jones and Jarrod Saltalamacchia batting behind Stanton, giving him a little more protection.  The rotation is extremely young, with an average age of 23.6 years for the projected rotation, led by 2013 NL Rookie of the Year Jose Fernandez.  It is unlikely Fernandez can put up a 2.19 ERA again in 2014, but a number between 2.30-2.50 is very reasonable.  The combo of Stanton and Fernandez should be exciting to watch, along with Christian Yelich in the outfield, but the Marlins appear to be headed for the cellar of the NL East for the fourth straight season.

NL Central

1.) St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals made it to the World Series in 2013, and will have another solid chance of making it again this season.  The strength of the team comes with its rotation, with perennial Cy Young candidate Adam Wainwright leading the way.  Michael Wacha, who was extremely impressive in September and October last year, will have his first full season in the majors, and Shelby Miller will look to improve upon a great 2013 where he posted a 3.06 ERA in his first full season.  Lance Lynn will follow them in the rotation, and is as good a fourth starter as you can ask for.  The Cards lost Carlos Beltran to the Yankees, but will have Matt Adams in the the lineup as a starter now, along with consensus top-five prospect Oscar Tavaras expected to join the team by midseason.  A question that does exist with this team is the amount of production they will receive from Jhonny Peralta, who is coming off a PED suspension during the 2013 season.  Melky Cabrera saw a huge drop off the year after his PED suspension, from a .906 OPS in 2012 to a .682 OPS in 2013, although he did play 2013 in the AL East, usually a much better division than the NL West.  Even if Peralta lacks production, the Cardinals are solid all-around and the NL Central is theirs to lose.

2.) Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pirates surprised everyone in 2013 by winning 94 games and taking the Cardinals to the fifth game of the NLDS.  The Pirates will look to continue that success in 2014, although a 94-win season may be a little out of reach.  The Pirates have questions in their rotation, with Edinson Volquez earning the fifth spot in the rotation despite a 5.71 ERA in 2013 and a 9.64 ERA this spring.  Wandy Rodriguez missed most of the 2013 season and should provide solid numbers for the team if he can remain healthy, but the loss of A.J. Burnett will leave a lot of room for improvement for the rotation.  Gerrit Cole could emerge as a superstar in 2014, and Francisco Liriano should be able to pitch at least like a mid-rotation starter.  Andrew McCutchen is the reigning NL MVP, and the Pirates could have one of the best outfields in the majors once top prospect Gregory Polanco joins McCutchen and Starling Marte in the outfield.  Pedro Alvarez is a candidate to hit 40 homers, and Marte is a definite breakout player who could produce a 6+ WAR over a full season.  The team has some holes, especially in right field, first base, and the back end of the rotation, but another Wild Card berth should be reachable for the team in 2014.
3.) Cincinnati Reds
The backbone of the Reds in 2014 will undoubtedly be the pitching, with five above average starters filling the rotation heading into opening day.  Johnny Cueto, Homer Bailey, Mike Leake, and Mat Latos are all established major league pitchers, and 24 year-old Tony Cingrani was very impressive in 18 starts last season.  The lineup is more of a concern, as there are no impact bats behind Joey Votto and Jay Bruce, as Brandon Phillips is clearly in the decline phase of his career.  There is also a major offensive downgrade in center, with Billy Hamilton replacing Shin-Soo Choo.  Hamilton may be the fastest player in the game today, but he has not shown that he can hit or get on base at the major league, or even AAA, level.  Still, the strength of the rotation will allow them to compete for a Wild Card spot, and they will battle with the Pirates for second place in the NL Central.
4.) Milwaukee Brewers
The Brewers only won 74 games in 2013, but should see an improvement on that number in 2014.  The Brewers surprisingly have few holes on their roster, with the only glaring hole on offense being Lyle Overbay at first base.  That could change, however, if Khris Davis and Scooter Gennett fail to produce numbers that approach what they were able to do in their rookie seasons, which is a definite possibility.  The biggest factor in the lineup will obviously be the return of Ryan Braun, and it will be interesting to see if there is a drop off in performance since his PED suspension, but we can still expect Braun to be an elite hitter.  The Brewers also may get a full season from Aramis Ramirez, a player who has produced far above average offensive numbers over the past decade.  The rotation doesn't have any stars, as Matt Garza is realistically a middle of the rotation starter, and maybe a number two in a division like the NL Central.  Kyle Lohse could be the ace of the staff again, and Yovani Gallardo, Marco Estrada, and Wily Peralta should be able to add valuable innings.  The Brewers may be able to surprise some people in 2014, and don't count them out as a dark-horse candidate to win a Wild Card spot.
5.) Chicago Cubs
While the other four teams in the NL Central have at least some chance at the playoffs, the Cubs do not. The 2013 season saw major struggles from Starlin Castro at the plate, and also saw Anthony Rizzo have a drop in production from 2012, where he posted an .805 OPS.  The only hope the Cubs have of winning 70 games in 2014 is if both Castro and Rizzo bounce back to 2012 form, and if Junior Lake continues to develop.  Nate Schierholtz is a platoon hitter without a platoon partner, and isn't even a great platoon hitter, posting a .799 OPS against righties in 2013.  Mike Olt and Javier Baez could see significant time in the majors this year, with both prospects bringing a great deal of power to the table. Expect the rotation to be weak, with Travis Wood and Jeff Samardzija at the top of the rotation.  The Cubs have built a great farm system with multiple impact bats, including Baez, Olt, Kris Bryant, Jorge Soler, Albert Almora, and Arismendy Alcantara, and they should be able to bring the Cubs back into contention in the near future.  Until then, the Cubs will remain at the bottom of the NL Central.

NL West

1.) Los Angeles Dodgers
The Dodgers enter the 2014 with the most talented roster in the majors.  When healthy, the team is full of superstars, including the best pitcher in baseball (AKA Clayton Kershaw), Zack Greinke, Hanley Ramirez, Matt Kemp, and maybe even Yasiel Puig.  There there may not be another team that can say they have a core like those five.  However, health is a major issue, with Kemp and Kershaw beginning the year on the DL.  If they can come back and play at full strength, those two can be the best pitcher-hitter duo in the majors, as Kemp still possesses MVP-caliber talent.  If Puig can post similar numbers as he did in his rookie year and Hanley Ramirez continues his success from 2013, the middle of this lineup could be the most feared in the game.  Backing up the lineup is a great rotation with a great deal of depth, with Hyun-Jin Ryu taking the number three starter role, and the team currently has Dan Haren and Paul Maholm at the back of the rotation, with Chad Billingsley and Josh Beckett due back from injury before June.  The bullpen is great, the bench is very talented, and on paper, the Dodgers are one heck of a team.  As of now, they are the team to beat in the MLB and possibly World Series favorites.
2.) San Francisco Giants
The Giants are coming off a very disappointing season in 2013, where they only won 76 games and saw declines in performances from guys like Matt Cain and Buster Posey.  Although those hurt in 2013, they do leave room for improvement heading into 2014, as we can expect those two, along with Pablo Sandoval and maybe even Ryan Vogelsong to put up improved numbers, and you never know what to expect from Tim Lincecum.  Hunter Pence could produce around an .800 OPS, and Mike Morse could hit 25 home runs, along with Brandon Belt being a solid run producer.  The rotation has a lot of upside, as Madison Bumgarner is a legitimate ace, with Cain being a potential ace if he can move on from the 2013 season, Lincecum and Vogelsong being wild cards, and Tim Hudson being a historically good pitcher.  The Giants have the talent to make the playoffs and even contend for the division if the Dodgers experience a lot of injuries or regression, but that is counting on bounce back seasons from some of their most important players.
3.) Arizona Diamondbacks
There has been an alarmingly high number of Tommy John surgeries this spring, and the Diamondbacks were not exempt from this, as their potential ace Patrick Corbin is now out for the season due to the surgery.  The Diamondbacks will now rely on Trevor Cahill and Bronson Arroyo to lead the rotation, and are hoping for a significant impact when top pitching prospect Archie Bradley is ready to join the club.  Offensively, the D-backs have threats in Mark Trumbo and Paul Goldshmidt, with Goldschmidt being an MVP-type bat.  Both have the chance to lead the NL in home runs this season, and should be feared in the middle of the Diamondbacks' lineup.  The team has solid support around them in the lineup, with no real holes, and there will plenty of opportunities to drive runs in.  However, with so many question marks in the rotation, it will be difficult for the D-backs to contend this year.  They could reach for a Wild Card spot, but will most likely have to wait until 2015 when Corbin returns to be true contenders.
4.) Colorado Rockies
The Rockies have one of the best offensive duos in the game with Troy Tulowitzki and Carlos Gonzalez, and will also get significant production from Wilin Rosario and Michael Cuddyer, but will receive little outside of that group, unless Justin Morneau turns it around at Coors Field.  The pitching will again be a major problem for the Rockies, who will be carried by Jorge De La Rosa, and could also see good seasons from Tyler Chatwood and Brett Anderson.  The Rockies have a pair of top pitching prospects in Jon Gray and Eddie Butler, but there is no need to rush those players for the 2014 season, with it being unlikely that the Rockies could contend.
5.) San Diego Padres
The Padres are a team with no real star power, with Chase Headley being the most notable player in the lineup.  Headley was in contention for the MVP in 2012, but saw a steep decline in 2013, which may have been due to health issues.  Outside of Headley, the Padres have decent hitters, such as Will Venable, Carlos Quentin, Yonder Alonso, and Jed Gyorko, but don't have enough to consistently score runs.  The team signed Josh Johnson over the offseason, and he is already injured until at least the end of April, causing there to be even less pitching depth with the team.  Andrew Cashner can lead the rotation and lefty Eric Stults could produce good numbers, but the rotation behind them is weak, and that's saying something considering they play in a pitcher-friendly park.  The Padres will not contend this year, but they could beat out the Rockies for fourth in the division, and that's about all they can hope for during the 2014 season.

NL East: Nationals
NL Central: Cardinals
NL West: Dodgers
Wild Card: Braves over Pirates

NLDS: Dodgers over Braves
             Nationals over Cardinals
NLCS: Dodgers over Nationals

World Series
Dodgers over Tigers, 4 games to 3



POWER RANKINGS
1.) Dodgers
2.) Nationals
3.) Tigers
4.) Cardinals
5.) Red Sox
6.) Rays
7.) Rangers
8.) Braves
9.) Pirates
10.) Reds
11.) Yankees
12.) A's
13.) Giants
14.) Orioles
15.) Angels
16.) Royals
17.) Mariners
18.) Brewers
19.) Blue Jays
20.) Diamondbacks
21.) White Sox
22.) Indians
23.) Phillies
24.) Rockies
25.) Mets
26.) Marlins
27.) Padres
28.) Astros
29.) Cubs
30.) Twins

Best Divisions (based on Power Rankings)

1.) AL East
2.) NL Central
3.) AL West
4.) NL East
5.) NL West
6.) AL Central


AWARDS

AL MVP: Mike Trout
Runner-up: Miguel Cabrera
AL CY YOUNG: Justin Verlander
Runner-up: Yu Darvish
AL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Masahiro Tanaka
Runner-up: Xander Bogaerts

NL MVP: Andrew McCutchen
Runner-up: Carlos Gonzalez
NL CY YOUNG: Clayton Kershaw
Runner-up: Stephen Strasburg
NL ROOKIE OF THE YEAR: Chris Owings
Runner-up: Archie Bradley



Any questions or comments can be sent to me on twitter @mikemaw45 or in the comment section below.  Would you like to have me write about a certain topic for next week's segment?  Let me know!  You can email me at mikemaw45@gmail.com.  I'd also love to have more writers to build the site, if you're looking for an opportunity to write, you can also email me at mikemaw45@gmail.com, and we can discuss any future opportunities.

Pirates Sign Marte To Extension

I know it's not a Sunday, but this is big news for the Pirates.  They have signed Starling Marte to a reported six year, $31 million extension with two option years, which could give the Pirates three more years of team control than they would have had they not signed this deal.  Marte would have become a free agent after the 2018 season, but now it is possible that he doesn't reach free agency until after 2021.

On paper, this is a great deal for the Pirates.  If you look at the current market, it's an even better deal for the organization.  With Major League Baseball's markets quickly evolving, contract amounts are skyrocketing, which can be exemplified by Clayton Kershaw's seven year, $215 million contract, good for over $30 million per year.  In a case more similar to Marte, we saw Jacoby Ellsbury sign a long-term deal with the Yankees over this offseason, a deal worth $153 million over seven years, which is over $21 million per year.  Curtis Granderson, coming off of a season where he totaled only 214 at bats, signed a four year, $60 million deal with the Mets.  Both of these players are into their thirties now and have passed their prime, and are still commanding $21+ million and $15 contracts over multiple years.  Looking more closely, Ellsbury posted a 5.8 WAR in his age 29 season in 2013, while Granderson posted a 3.0 WAR in his last full season in 2012, which was his age 31 season.  In comparison to that, Marte put up a 5.4 WAR in 2013, which was his first full year, and it came at the age of 24.  Marte actually posted a higher OPS, OPS+, and home run numbers than Ellsbury did in 2013, however Ellsbury played center field for the Red Sox, a more premium position that factors into the higher WAR number.  Marte also bested Ellsbury in UZR/150 (which can be explained by clicking here), where Marte posted a 18.4 UZR/150, while Ellsbury posted a UZR/150 of 12.9.

The reason I'm comparing these players is not to determine which player is better right now, it's to show the kind of market that exists for players with similar production to Marte.  Marte signed a six year, $31 million deal, but players with his skill set are receiving huge contracts on the open market, with another example being Shin-Soo Choo, who signed a seven year, $130 million deal this offseason.  One can point to the idea that a player like Ellsbury is proven and more of a sure bet than Marte is, but if you look at the past five years of Ellsbury's career, he has posted WAR's of 5.8, 1.0, 8.1, -0.1, and 2.7, while playing only three full years.  In baseball, nothing is a sure bet.  Look at Albert Pujols, Josh Hamilton, or even the 2013 Pittsburgh Pirates, things didn't happen the way people thought they would.  Any huge contract like Ellsbury's, Choo's, or Granderson's inherently comes with a large amount of risk.  Even Marte's contract, or even Jose Tabata's six year, $15 million contract, comes with some risk, although it is much more minimized.  The difference between the big contacts and Marte's contract is the years that the team is paying for during the contract.  Typically, a hitter's prime years come in his late twenties, meaning that the Yankees are paying over $21 million per year for a declining Jacoby Ellsbury, who will be a completely different player at the end of the contract than when he originally signed the deal.  In Marte's case, he's entering his age-25 season, meaning that he may not hit his prime seasons for a few more years.  The Pirates are betting on Marte improving on his already impressive start to his career, and are doing it with reduced risk of a contract that has an average annual value of about $5.17 million, compared to a contract that could be worth over $20 million a year if Marte was on the open market after the Pirates no longer had team control.

It's hard to not become excited about Marte's future with the Pirates.  Marte was better in his first full season than Andrew McCutchen was in his, and both put up a 5.4 WAR in their age-24 season.  Marte had a higher line drive percentage at age 24 than McCutchen did, 21.6% compared to 20.0%, and had the same home run to fly ball ratio.  Marte stole more bases and was better in the field, with power being the only major category where Marte trailed McCutchen, and I'll take this chance to mention that Marte's power is still evolving.  Am I saying that Marte is better than McCutchen was at the same point in their career's?  No.  Am I suggesting there is a chance that Marte could approach what McCutchen is doing with his career right now?  Definitely.  Marte is a supremely talented player who can be a true five-tool outfielder with a batting average over .300, home run totals approaching 20 per year, 40 stolen bases, an a perennial Gold Glove candidate in the outfield.  He has the talent, he has the numbers, and he's young, all pointing to a very bright future for Marte.

Like I've stated previously, there is risk in this contract.  He may not improve the way the Pirates think he will.  Marte strikes out a lot and barely walks, with a 24.4% strikeout rate and a 4.4% walk rate.  His BABIP was also very high in 2013, at .363, a number that will most likely become lower in 2014 and beyond.  However, the upside of this deal, and of Marte, is enormous, and it far outweighs the risk of an average annual value of $5.17 million for the contract.  Marte is one of the most talented young players in the majors right now, both offensively and defensively, and is only heading into his age 25-season, meaning there is a lot of time for his game to grow.  We saw how much of a steal a contract extension can be for a hugely talented 25 year old outfielder after McCutchen signed for $51.5 million over six years before 2012, and the Pirates could receive even more value per dollar on this deal.  Overall, the Pirates just signed a great player for a great value.  Paired with McCutchen for the foreseeable future, the Pirates may have one of the best outfield duos in the majors.  They also have someone named Gregory Polanco coming up to the show soon, who could be just as good, or even better, than Marte or McCutchen.

Nice job, Mr. Huntington and staff.



Any questions or comments can be sent to me on twitter @mikemaw45 or in the comment section below.  Would you like to have me write about a certain topic for next week's segment?  Let me know!  You can email me at mikemaw45@gmail.com.  I'd also love to have more writers to build the site, if you're looking for an opportunity to write, you can also email me at mikemaw45@gmail.com, and we can discuss any future opportunities.

2014 Pittsburgh Pirates Predictions

It's almost time.  Next Sunday, we will be one day away from 2014 regular season baseball for the Pirates.  The team is a coming off one of the most memorable seasons in franchise history, winning 94 games, winning the wild-card game against the Reds in one of the most electric stadium atmospheres anyone will ever experience, taking the Cardinals to game five of the NL Division Series, and finally ending the infamous streak of losing seasons at 20 years.  To many people, myself included, the season came as a surprise, as there was very little outside help that was added over the 2012-2013 offseason, and the team was coming off the second straight late season collapse.  However, new additions and young players exceeded all expectations for them, with Francisco Liriano pitching like an ace, Gerrit Cole showing his #1 potential, AJ Burnett having another great season, Russell Martin providing a huge upgrade at catcher, Pedro Alvarez tying for the NL lead with 36 home runs, Starling Marte putting up a 5.1 WAR in his first full season, and of course, Andrew McCutchen winning the NL MVP.
Heading into the 2014 season, there has been a lot of criticism about the lack of free agent additions, with Edinson Volquez being the biggest signing.  They pursued bigger names like Josh Johnson and James Loney, but could not get them to Pittsburgh, and also lost AJ Burnett to the Phillies.  However, like 2013, there is a lot of room for young players to step up and reach their potential, players who were injured in 2013 to possibly play a full-season, and top prospects to get the call to the show and make an impact.  Here are my 2014 Pittsburgh Pirates Predictions.


Top 5 Starting Pitchers:

Gerrit Cole: 14-6, 2.72 ERA, 195 IP, 182 K's, 1.11 WHIP

Francisco Liriano: 11-9, 3.59 ERA, 168 IP, 166 K's, 1.24 WHIP

Charlie Morton: 8-8, 3.87 ERA, 171 IP, 126 K's, 1.27 WHIP

Wandy Rodriguez: 6-7, 4.10 ERA, 155 IP, 107 K's, 1.23 WHIP

Edinson Volquez: 4-6, 4.77 ERA, 125 IP, 111 K's, 1.46 WHIP 


Other Pitchers

Brandon Cumpton: 3-2, 4.14 ERA, 54 IP, 36 K's, 1.26 WHIP, 0 Saves

Jeanmar Gomez: 2-2, 3.96 ERA, 56 IP, 35 K's, 1.31 WHIP, 0 Saves

Jason Grilli: 1-2, 2.70 ERA, 59 IP, 81 K's, 1.12 WHIP, 43 Saves

Jared Hughes: 0-1, 4.32 ERA, 22 IP, 15 K's, 1.28 WHIP, 0 Saves

Phil Irwin: 1-1, 4.43 ERA, 23 IP, 18 K's, 1.21 WHIP, 0 Saves

Jeff Locke: 5-5, 3.71 ERA, 111 IP, 86 K's, 1.31 WHIP, 0 Saves

Vin Mazzaro: 3-5, 4.38 ERA, 42 IP, 26 K's, 1.34 WHIP, 0 Saves

Mark Melancon: 3-1, 2.63 ERA, 68 IP, 66 K's, 1.07 WHIP, 4 Saves

Bryan Morris: 5-2, 3.11 ERA, 67 IP, 54 K's, 1.26 WHIP, 0 Saves

Andy Oliver: 0-0, 9.00 ERA, 3 IP, 2 K's, 2.00 WHIP, 0 Saves

Stolmy Pimentel: 6-4, 3.53 ERA, 80 IP, 65 K's, 1.24 WHIP, 0 Saves

Joely Rodriguez: 0-0, --ERA, --IP, --K's, ---WHIP, --Saves

Casey Sadler: 0-0, 4.50 ERA, 10 IP, 4 K's, 1.50 WHIP, 0 Saves

Tony Watson: 4-2, 2.42 ERA, 75 IP, 65 K's, 1.00 WHIP, 1 Saves

Duke Welker: 1-2, 4.50 ERA, 16 IP, 12 K's, 1.36 WHIP, 0 Saves

Justin Wilson: 5-2, 2.89 ERA, 78 IP, 69 K's, 1.08 WHIP, 2 Saves

PITCHER OF THE YEAR:  Gerrit Cole
BREAKOUT PITCHER OF THE YEAR:  Bryan Morris
RELIEVER OF THE YEAR:  Jason Grilli

Catchers:

Russell Martin: 423 AB, .237 AVG, 14 HR, 58 RBI, 7 SB, .718 OPS

Tony Sanchez: 102 AB, .274 AVG, 3 HR, 10 RBI, 1 SB, .772 OPS

Chris Stewart: 112 AB, .212 AVG, 1 HR, 7 RBI, 1 SB, .571 OPS

Infielders:

Pedro Alvarez: 572 AB, .254 AVG, 34 HR, 102 RBI, 1 SB, .801 OPS

Clint Barmes: 201 AB, .219 AVG, 4 HR, 16 RBI, 0 SB, .578 OPS

Alen Hanson: 0 AB, --AVG, --HR, --RBI, --SB, --OPS

Chris McGuiness: 42 AB, .262 AVG, 2 HR, 0 SB, .741 OPS

Jordy Mercer: 421 AB, .276 AVG, 12 HR, 6 SB, .774 OPS

Brent Morel: 28 AB, .214 AVG, 0 HR, 0 SB, .513 OPS

Gaby Sanchez: 408 AB, .257 AVG, 11 HR, 1 SB, .770 OPS

Neil Walker: 508 AB, .277 AVG, 17 HR, 4 SB, .785 OPS


Outfielders:

Jaff Decker: 26 AB, .269 AVG, 1 HR, 0 SB, .772 OPS

Josh Harrison: 106 AB, .268 AVG, 3 HR, 4 SB, .701 OPS

Andrew Lambo: 236 AB, .251 AVG, 11 HR, 1 SB, .765 OPS

Starling Marte: 594 AB, .307 AVG, 17 HR, 38 SB, .838 OPS

Andrew McCutchen: 586 AB, .325 AVG, 26 HR, 24 SB, .943 OPS

Gregory Polanco: 398 AB, .273 AVG, 12 HR, 23 SB, .773 OPS

Travis Snider: 134 AB, .277 AVG, 3 HR, 2 SB, .755 OPS

Jose Tabata: 118 AB, .286 AVG, 2 HR, 3 SB, .778 OPS


HITTER OF THE YEAR:  Andrew McCutchen
BREAKOUT HITTER OF THE YEAR:  Starling Marte
MOST VALUABLE BENCH PLAYER: Andrew Lambo

And the Player Who People Want To See Who Is Not On the 40-Man

Jameson Taillon: 10-7, 3.47 ERA, 108 IP, 96 K's, 1.23 WHIP, 0 Saves

Whole Team Awards

Team MVP:  Andrew McCutchen
Rookie of the Year:  Jameson Taillon


TEAM RECORD:  87-75

Minor League Awards

AAA
BEST HITTER: Tony Sanchez
BEST PITCHER: Brandon Cumpton
BREAKOUT PLAYER: Phillip Irwin

AA
BEST HITTER: Alen Hanson
BEST PITCHER: Joely Rodriguez
BREAKOUT PLAYER: Willy Garcia

A+
BEST HITTER: Josh Bell
BEST PITCHER: Tyler Glasnow
BREAKOUT PLAYER: Luis Heredia

A
BEST HITTER: Austin Meadows
BEST PITCHER: Luis Heredia
BREAKOUT PLAYER: Jacoby Jones

Whole System Awards
HITTER OF THE YEAR: Josh Bell
PITCHER OF THE YEAR: Tyler Glasnow
BREAKOUT PLAYER OF THE YEAR: Luis Heredia


The stat predictions were based off trends in recent years, expectancy of regression/improvement based on advanced stats, and expectations and potential for the younger players with little experience in the majors.

I'd love to hear your predictions, leave them in the comment section below!


Any questions or comments can be sent to me on twitter @mikemaw45 or in the comment section below.  Would you like to have me write about a certain topic for next week's segment?  Let me know!  You can email me at mikemaw45@gmail.com.  I'd also love to have more writers to build the site, if you're looking for an opportunity to write, you can also email me at mikemaw45@gmail.com, and we can discuss any future opportunities.