With the 2016 season getting started, here's a look at where the Pirates' Top 30 Prospects are projected to start the season:
1. Tyler Glasnow -- Indianapolis Indians (AAA)
2. Austin Meadows -- Altoona Curve (AA) -- DL
3. Josh Bell -- Indianapolis Indians (AAA)
4. Jameson Taillon -- Indianapolis Indians (AAA)
5. Reese McGuire -- Altoona Curve (AA)
6. Harold Ramirez -- Altoona Curve (AA)
7. Ke'Bryan Hayes -- West Virginia Power (A)
8. Elias Diaz -- Pittsburgh Pirates (MLB) -- DL
9. Cole Tucker -- Bradenton Marauders (A Adv) -- DL
10. Alen Hanson -- Indianapolis Indians (AAA)
11. Kevin Newman -- Bradenton Marauders (A Adv)
12. Nick Kingham -- Indianapolis Indians (AAA) -- DL
13. Willy Garcia -- Indianapolis Indians (AAA)
14. Mitch Keller -- West Virginia Power (A)
15. Clay Holmes -- Altoona Curve (AA)
16. Chad Kuhl -- Indianapolis Indians (AAA)
17. Steven Brault -- Indianapolis Indians (AAA)
18. Yeudy Garcia -- Bradenton Marauders (A Adv)
19. Stephen Tarpley -- Bradenton Marauders (A Adv) -- DL
20. Barrett Barnes -- Altoona Curve (AA)
21. Luis Escobar -- Extended spring camp
22. Kevin Kramer -- Bradenton Marauders (A Adv)
23. Gage Hinsz -- Extended spring camp
24. Trevor Williams -- Indianapolis Indians (AAA)
25. Max Moroff -- Indianapolis Indians (AAA)
26. Jordan Luplow -- Bradenton Marauders (A Adv)
27. Adam Frazier -- Indianapolis Indians (AAA)
28. Tyler Eppler -- Altoona Curve (AA)
29. Jacob Taylor -- Extended spring camp
30. Dario Agrazal -- West Virginia Power (A)
Team to watch
It's best to go straight to the highest level, and not just because that's who will be called upon to help the Pirates reach the postseason for the fourth straight year. A total of 11 of the team's Top 30 will play for Triple-A Indianapolis. That list is headlined, of course, by No. 1 prospect Tyler Glasnow, and also includes No. 3 Josh Bell and No. 4 Jameson Taillon. That rotation could be pretty special, especially once Nick Kingham returns, with Glasnow, Taillon, Kingham, Chad Kuhl and Steven Brault all in the system's Top 20.
Where teams' Top 30 prospects are starting the season
Teams on MiLB.TV
Indianapolis Indians
Altoona Curve
New faces
Officially, right-hander Trevor Williams was acquired from the Marlins for Minor Leaguer Richard Mitchell. Most know, however, that he was the compensation for Marc DelPiano and pitching guru Jim Benedict leaving the Pirates' staff for player development gigs with Miami.
On the shelf
Several of the organization's top prospects are coming back from injury. Austin Meadows was hit in the eye during Spring Training and needed surgery to repair his orbital bone. He could be back at some point in the second half of May. Kingham continues to rehab from Tommy John surgery, as does Jacob Taylor, with Kingham much farther along. Shortstop Cole Tucker is coming back from labrum surgery. Stephen Tarpley's sore side is setting him back a few weeks.