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Altoona Projects to Have Several of the Best Prospects in the System Next Year

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Yesterday I previewed the 2018 Indianapolis Indians Opening Day roster. It’s a bit early to be doing a preview in terms of trying to accurately project where everyone will start the year. However, this early process gives a good look at the depth in the organization, along with some potential roadblocks at certain positions, and areas of need in other spots.

With the Indianapolis roster projected out, the next step is Altoona. This group is a little easier to project, since you don’t have the MLB depth factor, where the team needs players who can provide depth for the big league club early in the season. At the same time, there are some players who warrant a promotion to Indianapolis, but would be held back at Altoona for those depth reasons. Those players may arrive in Triple-A later in the year, but should start off in Altoona.

Here is a look at the projected Altoona roster, along with notes for each position.

Position Players

C – Christian Kelley

1B – Will Craig

2B – Mitchell Tolman

SS – Cole Tucker

3B – Ke’Bryan Hayes

OF – Logan Hill

OF – Elvis Escobar

OF – Ty Moore

DH – Jordan George

Bench – Casey Hughston, John Bormann, Kevin Krause, Michael Suchy

Altoona’s 2018 group is mostly going to be Bradenton’s 2017 group. While I expect the catching situation in Indianapolis to be more of a 50/50 split between Jin-De Jhang and Jacob Stallings, I see Christian Kelley getting the bulk of the workload in Altoona. John Bormann will provide a good backup, along with an option to head to Indianapolis (or maybe even the majors in a pinch) if needed. If the Pirates add catching depth, I’d expect that catcher to come here, serving as the #4 depth option, behind Jacob Stallings.

The infield is the same as the infield that was starting in Bradenton for most of 2017, and there aren’t many challengers. I mentioned yesterday in the Indianapolis write-up that Kevin Kramer will probably be pushed to Triple-A due to this group. If the Pirates did keep him back, that would cut into Tolman’s playing time. The only way I see that happening is if Max Moroff doesn’t make the big league club on Opening Day.

The outfield is a weaker group by comparison. I could see Escobar going up to Triple-A, but have him starting here, figuring there might be some minor league free agents who hold him back. I think he gets there by the end of the year. Logan Hill should get a better opportunity to show whether his power can translate to the upper levels. Ty Moore had a good season last year, and should get some priority playing time. I’d also expect Jordan George and Casey Hughston to get a lot of playing time in the outfield, or as the DH. Jerrick Suiter could also be a candidate to return to this level.

Pitchers

Rotation Candidates – Mitch Keller, Taylor Hearn, Dario Agrazal, Gage Hinsz, Pedro Vasquez, Alex McRae, Austin Coley, Tanner Anderson

I wrote about Indianapolis having a lot of starting options yesterday, and not enough spots. The group above is why the Pirates will need to move some of those guys to relief. It’s not just a crowded group in Triple-A. It’s a crowded group throughout the system, with a lot of quality arms making the jump to Altoona.

Mitch Keller and Taylor Hearn will definitely have rotation spots. Considering the Pirates added Dario Agrazal to the 40-man roster, and promoted him to Altoona last year, I think he gets a spot. Pedro Vasquez did nothing last year to warrant a move to the bullpen right now. I could see Gage Hinsz staying back in Bradenton, which would create a spot for one of McRae, Coley, or Anderson. I think another spot will be available due to the Pirates giving their starters turns out of the bullpen.

It’s not as much depth as they have in Indianapolis, but there are some quality starting options here, leading to players being forced to the bullpen in the upper levels.

Bullpen Candidates – Jake Brentz, Geoff Hartlieb, Johnny Hellweg, Sean Keselica, Daniel Zamora, Bret Helton, Tate Scioneaux, Jess Amedee, Alex McRae, Austin Coley, Tanner Anderson

Most of the best MLB relievers were once starters who turned into relievers at some point in their careers. Most of those changes take place in the upper levels. While there are some starters on this list as potential relievers in Altoona, there are also some career relievers who have a shot at MLB careers.

Leading the list would be Jake Brentz and Geoff Hartlieb. The former is a lefty who consistently sits in the upper 90s and hits 100. The latter is a right-hander who saw his velocity jump to the upper 90s, hitting 99 a few times. They should give Altoona some power in the bullpen this year. Sean Keselica, Daniel Zamora, and Tate Scioneaux have all put up good numbers out of the bullpen, with potential to reach the majors. The first two are lefties, which will only help their chances of making the team. Beyond those guys, the Pirates have a lot of other good options for the bullpen, including a few players I didn’t include who might be held back in Bradenton. And of course, any moves made at the top to add pitching will only further crowd this situation as players trickle down.

Tim Williams
Tim Williams
Tim is the owner, producer, editor, and lead writer of PiratesProspects.com. He has been running Pirates Prospects since 2009, becoming the first new media reporter and outlet covering the Pirates at the MLB level in 2011 and 2012. His work can also be found in Baseball America, where he has been a contributor since 2014 and the Pirates' correspondent since 2019.

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