On The Farm
Top Prospects
By Joe Giardina

The Pirates have made it known that the 2008 version of last year's 96-loss team will have few changes. But while they don't plan on dipping their feet into the free agent pool this off-season, there are several new faces in the minors that have a shot to make the 25-man roster out of spring training.

Obviously highly touted prospects Neil Walker and Andrew McCutchen will be given every opportunity to make an impression. Brian Bixler also will get his fare share of playing time at short stop in March, even as the trade rumors with Jack Wilson have died down. Nyjer Morgan and Steve Pearce proved at the end of last season that they can play at the major league level. And with Chris Duffy still nursing a sore shoulder and Ryan Doumit's position still a question mark, there will be open spots in the outfield.

But the real spring training battles will be in the bullpen where there will be two large holes that need filled with Shawn Chacon and Salomon Torres no longer with the team. While it is possible that the free agent Chacon will re-sign with the team by spring, the Pirates still will need arms. Dave Davison, a 23-year-old left hander, got his first, yet brief, taste of the big leagues last year, logging two innings late in the season. The Pirates added him to the 40-man roster in November, protecting him from the rule five draft. In five minor league seasons Davison has built a reputation for keeping the ball in the park and for striking out batters at a high rate, two highly important stats in middle relief. In 205 2/3 career minor league innings he has only given up nine homeruns (0.39 hr/9) and has struck out 238 batters (10.44 k/9).

In early December the Bucs selected relief pitcher Evan Meek from the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the Rule five draft. Meek, a 24-year-old right-hander, had a 4.30 era with 69 strikeouts in 67 innings in double A last season. In his brief call-up to triple A, he posted a 0.93 era through 9 2/3 innings. Meek has been added to the 40-man roster and has an outside shot to make the trip north come April.

With the starting rotation pretty much set in stone, it would take a tremendous spring (or an injury, knock on wood) for any minor league starter to crack the rotation. But there will be an opportunity for long relief and as a spot starter. Bryan Bullingto had an outstanding first half to last season, going 8-2 with a 2.60 era. But he leveled out down the stretch. In order for him to make an impact at the major league level he has to maintain consistency and stay healthy.

Another injury plagued starter who finally has a shot to return to the majors isSean Burnett. More than two years removed from Tommy John surgery, the 25-year-old lefty is finally healthy, even after shutting it down last season at triple A Indianapolis due to irritation in his pitching elbow. The Pirates are out of options for the former first round pick in 2000, meaning if he doesn't make the opening day roster this year, he will find himself wearing colors other than black and gold.

John van Benschoten also finds himself on the hot seat after a horrible 2007. In 11 games, nine of them starts, the 27-year-old right hander went 0-7 with a 10.15 era. Even more alarming was his complete lack of control. He walked 29 batters in 39 innings (6.7 bb/9) while hitting five. Still, his potential as a former first round pick will give him the inside track as possible long relief.

There are several other pitchers with minimal major league experience who will fight for a roster spot this spring. New comer Ty Taubenheim, a 6'6" right- hander claimed off waivers from the Blue Jays, started one game last season as a spot start in Toronto. Franquelis Osoria, a right-handed 26-year-old, pitched in 25 games for the Pirates last season while posting a 4.76 era. And 29-year-old Juan Perez, who made last season's opening day roster, posted a 4.38 era while appearing in 17 games.

While the position player battles are not nearly as intriguing or wide open, there are a few holes that can be filled.

In the infield, Pittsburgh's own Josh Wilson will fight to be this years Don Kelly. A graduate of Mt. Lebanon High School in 1999, Wilson spent time with the Marlins, Nationals and Devil Rays before being claimed off waivers by the Pirates this off-season. A true middle infielder, if Wilson can beat out Bixler and make the roster he would likely be the primary backup at both short stop and second base.

And what is sure to be the top position battle all spring, Nyjer Morgan will compete with Nate McLouth for the starting center field spot. Last season, in addition to the handful of Web Gems he made while patrolling the outfield, Morgan batted .299 with seven stolen bases in 28 games.