Let’s take a look at the total tear down by Pittsburgh Pirates GM Ben Cherington. Many baseball people see it as a sign of giving up. Let me assure you it is not. It is an awesome Pirates rebuild and it could come to fruition as soon as 2023.
It seems realistic that their window could legitimately open again around 2023.
Pirates Rebuild Taking Shape
Current players and bright star such as Ke’Bryan Hayes (the #9 overall prospect in baseball), Mitch Keller, Bryan Reynolds and Kevin Newman will still be young and ready to step in. Add in first-round selection Nick Gonzales (#43 overall) playing second base with top prospccts such as Liover Peguero at short and Oneil Cruz (#64 overall)going to right field to supplant Gregory Polanco with Travis Swaggerty and Reynolds holding down the outfield. Don’t forget Mason Martin (#10 firstbase prospect) a prolific hitter at first base.
On the mound it is likely to see Quinn Priester (#43 overall prospect) as their best pitcher and add in Brennan Malone, Tahnaj Thomas, Braxton Ashcraft, Carmen Mlodzinski and Max Kranick join Mitch Keller, Blake Cederlind and they have a young solid staff in Pittsburgh.
Don’t forget the Pittsburgh Pirates have the #1 pick in the draft and to add to a solid roster. We all know that everyone of these prospects will not work out, The organization will have a tremendous farm system and stockpile to pull from for many years. The Pirates rebuild is taking shape!
Pirates Rebuild by Subtraction
In the past month or so the Pirates traded away starter Jameson Taillon to the Yankees for four prospects, Traded pitcher Joe Musgove to the Padres for five prospects and Josh Bell to the Nationals for two pitching prospects. their third big trade in less than a month by sending right-handed starting pitcher Jameson Taillon to the New York Yankees for a four prospect package.
This comes just days after trading Joe Musgrove to the San Diego Padres for a five prospect package. Before that, the Pittsburgh Pirates sent Josh Bell to the Washington Nationals for two pitching prospects.
As we said in the heading, the Pirates rebuild is happening a bit by subtraction.
What’s Next?
So what is next for the Pirates rebuild? With three weeks left until the expected start of Spring Training, look for two more moves from the Pirates as they move Adam Frazier and possibly pitcher Chad Kuhl for more prospect.
Pirates Rebuild for 2023
Don’t look for this to be anymore than possibly a 50 win season. These players a still very green but will show flashes of brilliance and allow the fan base some into the future, Look for GM Cherington to sign a veteran to help out in 2021 and flip him at the deadline for more prospects. Also, the off-season started with the trade of Starling Martefor prospects.
Where can you follow the Pirates prospects that are not on the MLB roster?
AAA- Indianapolis Indians
High-A Greensboro Grasshoppers
Low-A Bradenton Marauders
Pirates Likely Lineup for 2021
- 2B Adam Frazier
- 3B Ke’Bryan Hayes
- 1B Colin Moran
- LF Bryan Reynolds
- RF Gregory Polanco
- CF Anthony Allora
- C Jacob Stallings
- SS Erik Gonzalez
ROTATION
- LH Steven Brault
- RH Chad Kuhl
- RH Mitch Keller
- RJ JT Brubaum
- RH Wil Crowe
Fans Reaction to Pirates Rebuild
Surprisingly positive. They know they were bad. Here is what Pirates blogger Rumbunter has to write:
So far, the Pittsburgh Pirates rebuild has gone very well. The new additions to the front office as well as the coaching staff have been positives as reflected in players improving. They’re overall farm system is much deeper than when Cherington took over and now the franchise actually has a much needed direction and plan. Cherington is far from done though and based on the moves he’s made so far, he knows what he’s doing and has put this organization in a position that they can succeed in the near future. If things go right, we may see .500 baseball much sooner than many believe
DON’T BE SURPRISED TO READ– Pittsburgh Pirates NL Central Champs in 2023
