Where Pirates' Top 30 prospects are starting season
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With the 2018 season getting started, here's a look at where the Pirates' Top 30 prospects are projected to start the season:
1. Mitch Keller (MLB No. 15), RHP -- Altoona Curve (AA)
- Austin Meadows (MLB No. 45), OF -- Indianapolis Indians (AAA)
- Shane Baz (MLB No. 67), RHP -- Extended spring training
- Ke'Bryan Hayes, 3B -- Altoona Curve (AA)
- Cole Tucker, SS -- Altoona Curve (AA)
- Bryan Reynolds, OF -- Altoona Curve (AA)
- Kevin Newman, SS -- Indianapolis Indians (AAA)
- Colin Moran, 3B/1B -- Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB)
- Kevin Kramer, 2B -- Indianapolis Indians (AAA)
- LoLo Sanchez, OF -- West Virginia Power (A)
- Taylor Hearn, LHP -- Altoona Curve (AA)
- Luis Escobar, RHP -- Bradenton Marauders (A Adv)
- Nick Kingham, RHP -- Indianapolis Indians (AAA)
- Oneil Cruz, 3B/SS -- West Virginia Power (A)
- Steve Jennings, RHP -- Extended spring training
- Cal Mitchell, OF -- West Virginia Power (A)
- Connor Uselton, OF -- Extended spring training
- Will Craig, 1B -- Altoona Curve (AA)
- Clay Holmes, RHP -- Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB)
- Stephen Alemais, SS -- Altoona Curve (AA)
- Gage Hinsz, RHP -- Bradenton Marauders (A Adv)
- Jason Martin, OF -- Altoona Curve (AA)
- Jordan Luplow, OF -- Indianapolis Indians (AAA)
- Nick Burdi, RHP -- Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB) - DL
- Travis MacGregor, RHP -- West Virginia Power (A)
- Mason Martin, 1B/OF -- West Virginia Power (A)
- Edgar Santana, RHP -- Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB)
- Brandon Waddell, LHP -- Altoona Curve (AA)
- Braeden Ogle, LHP -- West Virginia Power (A)
- Dario Agrazal, RHP -- Altoona Curve (AA)
• Pirates prospect coverage | Pirates Top 30 prospects stats
Team to watch
Head less than two hours to the east of Pittsburgh and go check out the Altoona Curve. That's where 10 of the Pirates' Top 30 will start the 2018 season, starting with top prospect Mitch Keller and including three hitters in the top six: third baseman Ke'Bryan Hayes, shortstop Cole Tucker and outfielder Bryan Reynolds.
Where baseball's top prospects are starting the 2018 season
Teams on MiLB.TV
Indianapolis Indians
Altoona Curve
Bradenton Marauders
West Virginia Black Bears
New faces
There are several players who came in via trades who will be making their Pirates debuts this season. Obviously, Colin Moran (Gerrit Cole deal) has already done so in Pittsburgh. Bryan Reynolds (Andrew McCutchen trade) and Jason Martin (Cole) will both start in Altoona. Nick Burdi came via the Rule 5 Draft, but is rehabbing from Tommy John surgery, so it's going to be a while before anyone sees him in black and gold.
On the shelf
Burdi was already post-surgery when the Pirates took him last December, so they knew they had a rehab process ahead of them. Once he does eventually return to the mound, he will have to spend time on the big league active roster or be offered back to the Twins.