Monday, June 6, 2011

Who should the Pittsburgh Pirates draft?

With The 2011 MLB Draft starting tonight many Pirates fans are wondering who will their beloved team take 1st? Unlike the past 2 years where there was a clear no doubt player going 1st overall, that is not the case this year.


All fans alike have raved about Stephen Strasburg and Bryce Harper going 1st overall the last 2 years. Varying what happens in their respected careers like injuries and other factors. These two players could be the two biggest stars in the MLB the next 15 years.

Of course the Pirates would not be lucky enough to have gotten even 1 of them. The Nationals drafted and signed both and you have to love their future. Whether they will be able to keep both long term is another story.

I’m sure all Pirates fans were watching every game praying they would drop every game those years leading up to both drafts so they could have at least 1 of those guys. Well it was not meant to be.

That is not the purpose of this article though. In my eyes and most experts eyes the Buccos have 2 choices. It is either Anthony Rendon third basemen from Rice or Gerrit Cole RHP from UCLA.

Smartly the Pirates have not spilled the beans on who they are going to choose. I think it is close. The Pirates went pitching heavy in the last draft starting with the 2nd overall pick Jameson Taillon. He is a future ace. That was a smart pick from the Bucs last year.

Looking at their minor league system the Pirates have a lot more pitching than hitting. Most of their prospects are pitchers not position players. So from that point of view it would be Anthony Rendon no doubt about it, go pop the champagne and get this party started.

Both have very bright futures, like I said whoever they choose they will not be able to go wrong. Each is considered the top player at their position. Let’s dissect each one shall we?

Anthony Rendon was considered the top available player going into this season but he has had a down year compared to years in the past. He has had the injury bug and the whole Rice lineup is not as strong as in the past. He is also getting intentionally walked a ton. With all that going against him he has still put up pretty impressive numbers.

Many scouts are saying he projects in the majors to an Evan Longoria or Ryan Zimmermann. If I could get a Longoria or Zimmermann I would take that to the bank day in and day out! I have even heard a scout say he would rather have Rendon on his team than 1st overall pick last year Bryce Harper. I don’t know if I would go that far. Harper is going to be special, as in a class of his own. Rendon looks to be very good but I do not believe he will be above the Harper Line.

Gerrit Cole is undoubtedly the top pitching prospect available. He is tall, athletic and has nasty stuff. His fast ball and changeup are off the charts and his slider has the potential to get there. His fastball can hit 100mph. He can hit that late in games too. He projects as a guy that can eat a ton of innings. He will not wear out easily. He projects to be either a Justin Verlander or C.C. Sabathia. The bottom line is he is a bonafide ace in the making.

Now who will the Pirates choose? Both will be All-Stars. Cole could be a multiple time CY Young winner and Rendon looks to be a MVP candidate on top of being a gold glover.

With the way their farm system is looking, I believe they will take Rendon as long as he checks out completely healthy. His all around talent and upside is too much to pass up. I believe they will move Alverez to first base. I will be talking about that in more detail in a future article. Rendon is much better defensively than Alverez. The Pirates desperately need a potential all star bat in their minor league system. They have much better pitching depth than hitting.

Only Neil Huntington knows what he is going to do. No matter whom he chooses they cannot go wrong with Anthony Rendon or Gerrit Cole. With the way the Pirates are playing this season and after tonight having one of these guys on their team. For the first time in 18 years we can finally say it is good to be a Pirates fan once again!



Written by Michael Healy


You can follow me on twitter if you would like @mjhjesusfreak

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