I’ve finally got internet access in my apartment, so let’s do some catching up, shall we?
On draft pick signing day, the Pirates signed Jameson Taillon and Stetson Allie, as expected. Not many players were signed after the $9.45 million given out in bonuses between those two. They did manage to sign some nice players like Drew Maggi, who will add some nice depth to the middle infield that the team is sorely lacking, but anyone of big time impact not named Stetson Allie or Jameson Taillon already signed before deadline day.
As for the pitchers, their signings are a boon for the Pirates. Taillon immediately becomes the team’s best prospect, with Allie slotted somewhere in their top five.
The team also signed top international pitching prospect Luis Heredia from Mexico. Heredia’s deal was for $2.6 million, with the team the Pirates purchased his contract from getting an amazing 75% of that money.
Heredia also adds a nice arm to the system, as he’s 16 years old and can throw up to 94 MPH already. Jim Callis of Baseball America ranks him as a top five prospect in the Pirates system already.
All of these players are obviously big signings for the Bucs, as they lack front-line starters in their system despite a depth of mid-rotation type pitchers. As young arms, all three of them are obviously risky, and there have been doubts about Allie’s ability to stay in games late leading to speculation about him becoming a closer, but even having the possibility of turning out a legitimate ace or two is a big leap forward for this team right now.
