Right-hander Tyler Glasnow, who may join the Pirates rotation at some point next season, capped a strong 2015 season by again being ranked the top prospect in the Pirates organization by Baseball America, which today released its top-10 prospects list.
Glasnow, a fifth-round draft pick in 2011, overcame an early-season ankle injury to post a 2.43 ERA in 12 starts for Class AA Altoona and a 2.20 ERA in eight starts for Indianapolis. The 6-foot-8 right-hander is expected to begin 2016 in the Indianapolis starting rotation and could be in line for a midseason promotion.
Behind Glasnow, 22, the current top-10 Pirates prospects are outfielder Austin Meadows, first baseman Josh Bell, right-hander Jameson Taillon, outfielder Harold Ramirez, catcher Reese McGuire, shortstop Cole Tucker, shortstop Kevin Newman, third baseman Ke’Bryan Hayes and catcher Elias Diaz.
Dropped off the list since Baseball America’s preseason rankings were second baseman Alen Hanson and right-handers Nick Kingham and Mitch Keller. Hanson hit .263 with 35 steals this season, his first with Class AAA Indianapolis. Kingham underwent Tommy John ligament-replacement surgery in May.
Injuries haven’t dropped Taillon too far down the list. He had Tommy John surgery in April 2014 and a hernia surgery this July, cutting short his season before he left the Pirates spring-training facility in Bradenton, Fla. Taillon has not pitched in an affiliated game since 2013.
Newman was drafted 19th overall by the Pirates this summer, and Hayes, the son of former big-leaguer Charlie Hayes, was taken at No. 32. Newman hit .257 in 61 games at Class A, and Hayes batted .333 in 44 games at rookie ball.
Stephen J. Nesbitt: snesbitt@post-gazette.com and on Twitter: stephenjnesbitt.
First Published: November 13, 2015, 4:33 p.m.