Remember these names: Bobby Bradley (1999), Sean Burnett (2000), John VanBenschoten (2001), Bryan Bullington (2002)?
They are four consecutive years of failed Pirates first-round picks and not exactly Fantasy household names. They came during general manager Dave Littlefield's regime before this current one in Pittsburgh -- after Kris Benson (1996) and before Paul Maholm (2003), who at least did something in the major leagues.
They sure know how to pick 'em.
But the Pirates behind GM Neal Huntington might be ready to turn the corner, thanks to 2006 No. 1 pick Brad Lincoln (4-2, 3.83 in Triple-A). He could be called up to start in the major leagues any day now as the likes of Charlie Morton (1-7, 9.68) scuffle along as the worst starting pitcher in the major leagues.
It hasn't been all smooth sailing for Lincoln either, though. He went the way of the Pirates failed picks before him needing Tommy John elbow surgery the first spring after signing with the Pirates. Since, he has proven to be a candidate to snap the Pirates' pitching jinx and be better than Zach Duke or Paul Maholm right away.
Lincoln struck out a season-high 10 batters May 17 in seven quality innings, giving him 39 for the season in 49 1/3 innings. He has walked just 12. He could make one more start in Triple-A on May 22 and arrive to make his major league debut May 27 at Cincinnati. It is no coincidence that Lincoln's Triple-A turn coincides with Morton's major-league turn right now.
It won't stop with Lincoln for the young Bucs. Pedro Alvarez, Jose Tabata and perhaps Neil Walker could be right behind.
"We've got a group of guys who are knocking at the door," Huntington said. "The guys at the major league level, they need to hold their jobs - or they're in a position to be supplanted by one of these younger guys."
Alvarez, 23, looked to major-league ready during spring training and could push Andy LaRoche from third base to second some time in June.
"We're still looking to get Pedro established offensively," Huntington said.
The Pirates wish Alvarez's .247 average was higher, but he has nine homers and 36 RBI in 150 at-bats. One worry is his .214 average against lefties. He can be a run producer immediately in the major leagues, so consider stashing him in deeper formats in anticipation of a callup this summer. We tend to doubt he arrives before June 1 because of what he has to work on, but you might take that flier just in case.
Tabata is the one that might be the most intriguing right now for Rotisserie owners. They loved the instant impact of Andrew McCutchen a year ago and Tabata could provide that with his speed and still-developing power. He is hitting .323 with two homers and 14 RBI and has 19 stolen bases in 36 games at Indianapolis.
"The raw power is there," Huntington said. "He's actually fulfilling our organizational belief, which is to hit (for average), and the power will develop. There's a track record of guys who have been quality minor league hitters who have bat speed, athleticism and all the traits Jose has, and develop power at the major league level."
As we said last season with McCutchen, speed was going to be his first immediate impact in Fantasy. McCutchen wound up being surprisingly productive even for mixed league owners.
Walker, meanwhile, could have been here already, replacing the woefully bad Akinori Iwamura (.156 for the season and just 2 for 45 in May). Walker has gotten time at second base in Triple-A, but in Hanley Ramirez doggin' it style, Walker has been reprimanded for a lack of hustle. That could make him the last to arrive of the quartet instead of the first.
It is almost time for Lincoln.
Pittsburgh prospects tend to be overlooked because the Bucs are a bad small-market team. That fact extends to Fantasy. Although Alvarez is owned in 27 percent of CBSSports.com's leagues, Tabata is owned in just 4 percent, Lincoln a mere 2 percent and Walker a hardly significant 1 percent.
"Each one of these guys is getting closer to the big leagues," Huntington said. "Is it the end of May? Is it the middle of June? The first of July? They'll tell us and they'll show us as they continue to progress."
The one thing with Pirates prospects, though, there is plenty room in Pittsburgh for good players.
Prospect watch
Every week we break down all the minor leaguers who are owned in at least 1 percent of our Fantasy leagues. This will be your essential guide to unearthing the elite prospects before they hit the big time.
Rookie watch
Top AL rookies to date
- Neftali Feliz, RP, TEX -- He has gotten over a slump and is sporting some impeccable control, walking just four batters to date.
- Brennan Boesch, OF, DET -- OK, we have to admit he is the class of the AL rookies now. He will be sticking around now, too.
- Austin Jackson, OF, DET -- He is on pace to shatter the rookie record for strikeouts in a season, but it is hard to argue with .331.
- Mitch Talbot, SP, CLE -- He has walked more batters than he has struck out, so it gives us little confidence he will stay this good.
- Wade Davis, SP, TB -- His stuff is much, much better than Talbot's and might even be as good as that rookie future ace in Baltimore.
- Honorable mentions: Brian Matusz, SP, BAL; Reid Brignac, 2B, TB; John Jaso, C, TB; Alfredo Simon, RP, BAL; Max Ramirez, C, TEX; Michael Saunders, OF, SEA; Tyson Ross, RP, OAK; and Alex Burnett, RP, MIN.
Top NL rookies to date
- Jason Heyward, OF, ATL -- The J-Hey Kid leads all rookies in homers (8) and RBI (29) and won't be slowing down much, if at all.
- Jaime Garcia, SP, STL -- The Tommy John survivor has as good of a case as any to be the Rookie of the Year in Fantasy.
- Mike Leake, SP, CIN -- He came into Thursday's start with season statistics that are worthy of a straight-to-the-majors talent.
- Starlin Castro, SS, CHC -- We cannot explain his .364 average through 12 games, but he seems every bit worth all the hype.
- David Freese, 3B, STL -- He figures to be a bit streaky this season, but he is currently viable even in mixed leagues.
- Honorable mentions: Ike Davis, 1B, NYM; Ian Desmond, SS, WAS; Gaby Sanchez, 1B, FLA; Chris Heisey, OF, CIN; Tyler Colvin, OF, CHC; Jhoulys Chacin, SP, COL; John Ely, SP, LAD; and Hisanori Takahashi, RP, NYM.
Newbie needs
Brian Kenealy, Rolling Meadows, Ill.: 1. Any word on when Brandon Allen is coming back? Do you see any future with the D-Backs? Trade? 2. Simon Castro seems to be flying under the prospect radar (owned in 2 percent, which I think is up). He's really pitching well in Double-A (Padres). What does the future hold for him? 2010/2011? With his size and stuff, it seems like he would have the makeup for being a solid starter in the bigs. 3. Nice write up on Mike Minor. I nabbed him in my farm draft this year along with Bumgarner. Both guys got off to slow starts in the minors, but really seemed to have turned it around. I would say Bumgarner has more of a chance to make an impact in 2010. But, who do you think has more upside long term? Also, are you surprised Minor is only owned in 2 percent of leagues?
Emack: Wow, thorough question.
1. Allen should be healthy enough to play by June, but his status as a prospect has really taken a hit. You can no longer be confident he will be a regular in the major leagues. We could be overstating things with the 24-year-old, though.
2. Castro recently turned 22 and has been lights out in Double-A. With the Padres surprsingly contending we could see Castro move up to Triple-A in June and perhaps arrive in the second half. He would be a must-have in most formats when he arrives. He should be owned in more leagues than a mere 2 percent. He might even be as good as any rookie not named Stephen Strasburg once he arrives.
3. Bumgarner has made some progress after his awful start and should arrive in the majors this year, while Minor likely won't. With that said, Minor looks like the better long-term pitching prospect right now. Bumgarner is topping out a little bit as a middle-of-the-rotation starter.
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