The Pirates Prospects 2012 Prospect Guide will be released later this week, featuring over 250 prospect reports, the 2012 top 50 prospects, a feature on the top four pitching prospects in the system, and the most comprehensive coverage of the Pirates’ farm system that you can find. While the top 50 prospects are exclusive to the book, we will be releasing the top ten prospects over the next week. Be sure to purchase your copy of the book on the products page of the site.
To recap the countdown so far:
10. Nick Kingham
We continue the countdown with the number nine prospect, Kyle McPherson.
9. Kyle McPherson, RHP
McPherson’s 2011 season was all about showing he could have success in the upper levels of the minors. He had great numbers in West Virginia in 2010, but they came in his second run through the level, and at the age of 22. He was promoted to Bradenton at the end of the year, but only saw four innings at the level.
McPherson returned to Bradenton in 2011, and got off to a great start. He had an amazing 0.8 BB/9 ratio in 71.2 innings, leading to a WHIP below 1.00. He was moved up to Altoona mid-season, and didn’t miss a beat. His walks returned to a realistic level, but were still low. His other numbers were very similar to his performance in high-A, with an increase in his strikeouts.
He sits in the 92-93 MPH range with his fastball, and tops out at 95. He has a plus curveball and a solid changeup, giving him a great three pitch mix. All of this is offered up with excellent control, leading to less than two walks per nine innings in his career. A conservative projection puts McPherson as a number three starter who can throw 200 innings a year. He could become a number two starter if he doesn’t see a drop off in AAA during the 2012 season.
