From The Crows Nest: The St. Louis Cardinals Farm System

So far in this series we have looked into the three NL Central Division Farm Systems who have taken some hits over the past few years and find themselves with either lack of depth or nearly barren of any elite players as it pertains to the MLB Pipeline Top 100 Prospects. The Chicago Cubs areContinue reading “From The Crows Nest: The St. Louis Cardinals Farm System”

Open Auditions Being Held: The Future Centerfielder of the Pittsburgh Pirates

For quite a few years, 13 to 14 by my estimation, there has always been a clear heir apparent who would tasked with the duty of patrolling centerfield at aaa for the Pittsburgh Pirates. As Chris Duffy, and at times Rajai Davis, were taking turns trying to hold down the middle of the outfield inContinue reading “Open Auditions Being Held: The Future Centerfielder of the Pittsburgh Pirates”

A Tale of Two Tuckers

It was a humid afternoon/evening at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on Saturday April 20, 2019 and rain clouds were on the horizon. Pirates #5 Prospect, Cole Tucker, had just been called up to the majors and would be getting his first big league start thanks in part to a mid-game collision between starting shortstop,Continue reading “A Tale of Two Tuckers”

From The Crows Nest: The Milwaukee Brewers Farm System

In the first two articles I took a more in-depth look at the Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds Farm System, which have been ranked as #23 and #24 respectively; the first potentially on its way back up toward the top and the latter on a free fall that may not stop until they are atContinue reading “From The Crows Nest: The Milwaukee Brewers Farm System”

From The Crows Nest: The Cincinnati Reds Farm System

In the first installment of this series I took a look at the Chicago Cubs Farm System because I felt like it was one that has followed a similar path to the Pittsburgh Pirates, at least over the last 10 years or so; on top for a while, falling of at times and attempting toContinue reading “From The Crows Nest: The Cincinnati Reds Farm System”

From The Crows Nest: The Chicago Cubs Farm System

The once highly touted Chicago Cubs Farm System of the early to mid 2010’s has fallen from grace and is currently ranked in the bottom third of the league in every experts’ opinions, landing at #23 according to MLB Pipeline. I have even seen them as low as 29th on one list. This is hardContinue reading “From The Crows Nest: The Chicago Cubs Farm System”

Through the Prospect Porthole: Bear Bellomy

In my article yesterday I discussed the disparity that can often exist between natural talent and mental toughness, especially as it pertains to pitching prospects within the Pittsburgh Pirates Farm System. Former Bristol Pirates Pitching Coach Eric Minshall talked about the fact that many times players with natural talent have their growth stunted or theirContinue reading “Through the Prospect Porthole: Bear Bellomy”

Who’s Got The Tools?

Each prospect gets a grade for their “tools” and the Pittsburgh Pirates Top 30 are no different. Anyone that has ever studied MLB prospects, even for a second, sees the tool grades front and center. It gives you a snapshot of skills that each player possesses; a guideline to judge them by if you will.Continue reading “Who’s Got The Tools?”

Through The Prospect Porthole: The 2019 DSL Pirates2

With MLB Pipeline releasing their Top 30 Prospects last week , some people got their first glimpse into the “channel” from the Dominican Republic that the Pittsburgh Pirates have been trying to create over many years. Two members from the 2019 Dominican Summer League Pirates2 team that was so dominant found their way onto the list, landing at #24 (Alexander Mojica-3B) and #25 (RodolfoContinue reading “Through The Prospect Porthole: The 2019 DSL Pirates2”

Pittsburgh Pirates Top 30 Prospects: The Movers and Shakers Versus The Shook

Each year when MLB Pipeline puts out their Top 30 Prospect Lists for each team there are guys that rise up the charts, some with a bullet, and others that fall, not from grace, but more out of favor if you will. As I discussed in one of my latest articles the “fall” can occurContinue reading “Pittsburgh Pirates Top 30 Prospects: The Movers and Shakers Versus The Shook”