With all of the troubles with its parent club in 2010, the Pirates AA affiliate Altoona Curve and the High-A affiliate Bradenton Marauders recently completed very successful seasons.
In case you haven't noticed, or have been too turned off by the latest 100 loss season by the Pirates, most of the real talent in the organization are currently playing at one of these two levels.
All of the trades and all of the last three successful drafts will wind up paying off in the form of these talented young players. For once, the Pirates have "real" prospects.
The Curve recently became Eastern League Champions. They defeated the Trenton Thunder, the AA affiliate of the New York Yankees to bring home the crown.
The marauders didn't have as much success, losing to the Charlotte Stone Crabs in the opening round of the Florida State League playoffs. Charlotte is the High-A affiliate of the Tampa Rays.
Before you ask, this is not a case of the Pirates sacrificing major league success for minor league championships. This is the process starting to pay off. There is legitimate talent at each level. Hopefully, within a couple of years, we won't have to hear the term "rebuild" any longer in Pittsburgh.
Here is a look at the prospects currently in Altoona. These will be the names you should be hearing in Pittsburgh within a couple of seasons.
- Login to post comments