With the 2017 season getting started, here's a look at where the Pirates' Top 30 prospects are projected to start the season:
1. Tyler Glasnow -- Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB)
2. Austin Meadows -- Indianapolis Indians (AAA)
3. Mitch Keller -- Bradenton Marauders (A Adv)
4. Kevin Newman -- Altoona Curve (AA)
5. Ke'Bryan Hayes -- Bradenton Marauders (A Adv)
6. Cole Tucker -- Bradenton Marauders (A Adv)
7. Will Craig -- Bradenton Marauders (A Adv)
8. Nick Kingham -- Disabled list
9. Steven Brault -- Indianapolis Indians (AAA)
10. Elias Diaz -- Indianapolis Indians (AAA)
11. Gage Hinsz -- Bradenton Marauders (A Adv)
12. Taylor Hearn -- Bradenton Marauders (A Adv)
13. Yeudy Garcia -- Altoona Curve (AA)
14. Luis Escobar -- West Virginia Power (A)
15. Travis MacGregor -- Extended Spring Training
16. Alen Hanson -- Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB)
17. Trevor Williams -- Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB)
18. Stephen Alemais -- West Virginia Power (A)
19. Brandon Waddell -- Altoona Curve (AA)
20. Kevin Kramer -- Altoona Curve (AA)
21. Braeden Ogle -- Extended Spring Training
22. Clay Holmes -- Indianapolis Indians (AAA)
23. Dovydas Neverauskas -- Indianapolis Indians (AAA)
24. Edgar Santana -- Indianapolis Indians (AAA)
25. Max Moroff -- Indianapolis Indians (AAA)
26. Max Kranick -- Extended Spring Training
27. Tyler Eppler -- Indianapolis Indians (AAA)
28. Jose Osuna -- Indianapolis Indians (AAA)
29. Barrett Barnes -- Disabled list
30. Eric Wood -- Indianapolis Indians (AAA)
• Complete Pirates prospect coverage on MLBPipeline.com/Pirates
Team to watch
The Pirates system certainly is top heavy. Not only is the top of the Top 30 list impact-talent heavy, even with the graduation of Josh Bell, but there's more talent -- exactly one-third of that list (10) -- in Triple-A than any other affiliate. That's a lot of guys knocking on the door. Bradenton's not a bad alternative, with six guys in the Top 15 starting the year in the Florida State League.
Where baseball's top prospects are starting the 2017 season
Teams on MiLB.TV
Indianapolis Indians
Altoona Curve
West Virginia Black Bears
New faces
None
On the shelf
Right-hander Nick Kingham will start they year on the disabled list. The good news is it's not elbow related (He had Tommy John surgery in 2015). He's out with a sprained ankle. Outfielder Barrett Barnes, who has suffered from hamstring injuries throughout his career, but had strong bounce-back 2016 season, tweaked a hammy again and won't start the season on time. Both should be with Indianapolis when they return.