The MVP’s For Pittsburgh’s Future

3. Brad Lincoln

If you’re going to win in the big leagues, you need pitching. The Pirates haven’t had a guy with great stuff that can completely dominate an offense since Oliver Perez’s fantastic performance in 2004 (and we all know how that turned out). Brad Lincoln, another first round pick, has ace-level stuff and has worked his way up to AAA Indianapolis this year. He dominated early in the year in A and AA but has struggled some in AAA. Lincoln is 3-2 with a 5.56 ERA in 9 starts. We’re going to need to see better numbers that from him when he gets to the big leagues, he is one of our only pitchers with capabilities to be an ace some day. 

4. Tim Alderson

Tim is here for the same reasons Brad Lincoln is. Tim is one of the few ace possibilities the Pirates have in their system, and pitching is the most important part of being a good team. Alderson has been great in AA, so let’s hope he keeps up the good performance as he keeps moving up the system towards the majors. 

5. Delwyn Young

I know it sounds weird rating Delwyn Young ahead of guys like Jose Tabata and Tony Sanchez, but there is a reason that Delwyn is more valuable to the Pirates than those guys. The Pirates have a surplus of high-upside outfielders and catchers, while we have very little talent in the middle infield. That remains the biggest question mark for this team’s future, who is going to step up and fill the holes at second and short. After the Freddy Sanchez trade, Delwyn has started to be the everyday second baseman, and has played well there. His bat is the only reason he even got a chance, he has been great at the plate this year. He has a second-base bat, hits for good average with a little bit of power. If Delwyn can step up and solidify himself at second base, we wouldn’t have to rely on guys like Brian Friday, Shelby Ford, and Chase D’Arnaud, guys that I don’t particularly like. 

6. Andy LaRoche

This is another one like Delwyn Young. The main reason I put Andy here is because of how we acquired him. Andy came over in the trade that sent Jason Bay to Boston. That deal is starting to look ugly, as Bryan Morris, Brandon Moss, and Craig Hansen have all been pretty bad. Andy needs to step up and become a definite part of the future for the Pirates to make that trade a good one. Also, Andy has the capabilities to play second base and possibly even shortstop. I personally don’t think Andy has the power bat to be a third base man for much longer. Some people thought he would develop 20-30 HR power, but I don’t really see that happening. I think a move to middle infield is inevitable.

7. Jose Tabata
 
Jose Tabata has immense upside. He could be a perennial all-star and was a steal in the trade that sent Xavier Nady and Damaso Marte to the Yankees, a deal in which the Pirates also got Ross Ohlendorf, Daniel McCutchen, and Jeff Karstens. Tabata is only 20 years old and is now in AAA. There are talks of Tabata being called up when the rosters expand in September, I don’t really think that will happen though. Tabata is the future right fielder. He doesn’t have much home run power right now, he only has 3 on the year. However, as a 20 year old, he is still growing and has some definite power upside. I’d say 30 home runs a year aren’t out of reach for Tabata, although you should probably expect something closer to 20. He will hit for great average and has above average speed. 

8. Ross Ohlendorf

Ohlendorf earned a spot in the rotation this spring training, and has proved he deserved it so far this year. He is pitching great, and he just keeps getting better. Ross is a big, physical right hander with an outstanding sinker that makes him very hard to string hits together against. Ross doesn’t have great velocity or any other real good pitches, but that sinker alone makes him a solid 3-4 option for the future. I definitely see Ross in this rotation for a long time, and that makes him a very valuable piece of the puzzle. 

 

9. Jeff Clement


Clement is another guy like Andy LaRoche, he has big expectations because of what the Pirates gave up to get him. He came over in the Jack Wilson/Ian Snell trade, which made a ton of Pittsburgh fans angry. Clement was a former #1 prospect with big power potential. He was a catcher in Seattle, but the Pirates moved him to first base (thank heavens). Clement is another guy that has been rumored to be a September call up, but again, I think he’ll be up next year. He has already spent time in the majors, so I can definitely see him starting at first base on opening day of next year. Clement is another guy with a big power bat that the Pirates really need. He could definitely be a 3-5 hitter in the order and hit 30-40 homers. That’s a big if however, but Clement is a very valuable piece to the Pirates future. 

10. Lastings Milledge

hold on I can find a more appropriate picture…
 ergh…

That’s his dad, I swear. Anyways, Milledge is a former #1 prospect for the Mets who got bounced around the Nationals and eventually to the Pirates because of his behavior off the field. Lastings has since made a change in his life and is starting to grow up. This is outstanding news for the Pirates, because now Lastings can develop into a star in this league and the Pirates didn’t give up much for him. Milledge is a 5-tool player who finally hit his first homer as a Pirate last night. When Milledge broke into the league people were thinking he had 30 HR power, although he seems more like a 25 guys to me. Lastings is getting better in left field and hitting for good average. He will continue to get better and will complete quite an impressive outfield along with McCutchen and Tabata.

So there you have it, the top 10 most valuable Pirates. If those ten guys can play up to their potential, the Pirates will have a playoff birth in the next 3 years. Let’s Go Bucs!