After a day full of rumors (well, more than a day), the Pittsburgh Pirates have traded second baseman Freddy Sanchez to the San Francisco Giants for starting pitching prospect Tim Alderson.
Alderson was ranked as the fourth best prospect in the San Francisco Giants’ system by Baseball America, and the second best pitching prospect behind Madison Bumgarner. He was rated as having the best curveball in the San Francisco system. Alderson is a big right hander, at 6’7″, 217 pounds. He was the first round pick for the Giants in 2007, taken 22nd overall. He throws 88-92 MPH, and has the potential to be a frontline starter, turning 21 in November.
Alderson was the 45th best prospect in baseball according to Baseball America’s pre-season top 100 list. In 72.2 innings pitched at AA this season he has a 3.47 ERA, and a 46:14 K/BB ratio, with five homers allowed. Last year he had a 2.79 ERA in 145.1 innings pitched at high A, with a 124:34 K/BB ratio.
The Pirates save about $2.3 M on the remainder of Freddy’s 2009 contract, plus they avoid the $8.1 M option for 2010, which is almost a sure thing to guarantee with 600 plate appearances. I’ll be updating the payroll figures on the site when I get home, and I’ll definitely be adding Tim Alderson to the Prospect Tracker. Alderson will report to Altoona.
July 30, 2009 at 4:20 am
Tim Alderson is just 20 year old and holding his own double-A, and his integration capability is uncommon at this age. Apparently his 6′6′ right-hander has above-average command and control for his age. Also he can throw in the low-90s and has a plus curveball and a developing changeup, and some other data shows that he's 20 years old and pitching in double-A with exceptional command and control for his age.