The Pittsburgh Pirates have protected six prospects from being selected in next month’s Rule 5 Draft by adding them to their 40-man roster.
OF/1B Esmerlyn Valdez
Valdez was named the Willie Stargell Slugger of the Year after a strong season split between High-A Greensboro and Double-A Altoona. He led the Pirates’ system with 26 home runs and combined to slash .286/.376/.520 with 25 doubles, two triples and 86 RBI.
A strong showing in the Arizona Fall League erased any doubt in contemplating whether or not to protect Valdez. In 19 games, the 21-year-old hit .368 with a 1.355 OPS and led the league with eight home runs and 27 RBI.
Valdez ranks as Pittsburgh Baseball Now’s 12th-best Pirates prospect.
RHP Brandan Bidois
Like Valdez, Bidois received recognition by the Pirates organization as the Kent Tekulve Reliever of the Year. In 40 appearances split across four levels, the 24-year-old went 8-0 with a 0.74 ERA and 69 strikeouts in 61 innings. He held opponents to a miniscule .110 batting average and faced 64 consecutive batters without allowing a hit from late July to early September.
INF Jack Brannigan
Brannigan is somewhat of a surprising addition given that labrum surgery limited him to just 59 games with Altoona this season. Prior to his injury, Brannigan slashed .225/.329/.358 with eight doubles, two triples, five home runs, 30 RBI and nine stolen bases.
Brannigan checks in at No. 27 on our top 30.
RHP Wilber Dotel
Dotel spent the season with Altoona and went 7-9 with a 4.15 ERA across 27 starts. He totaled 125.2 innings, allowed 111 hits, walked 43 and struck out 131.
The 23-year-old is our No. 18 Pirates prospect.
RHP Antwone Kelly
Kelly began the season with High-A Greensboro before he was promoted to Altoona in the middle of the season. In 14 starts with High-A, Kelly went 1-1 with a 3.03 ERA and struck out 70 batters in 59.1 innings. The 22-year-old stayed consistent with Altoona, where he went 2-2 with a 3.00 ERA across 11 starts.
Kelly is our No. 21 Pirates prospect.
LHP Tyler Samaniego
Samaniego spent most of the season with Altoona and went 1-1 with a 3.08 ERA in 20 appearances. In five minor-league seasons, Samaniego has a 3.82 ERA and 182 strikeouts in 158 innings.
Mentioned in this article: Antwone Kelly Esmerlyn Valdez Jack Brannigan Pittsburgh Pirates Ryan Harbin Tyler Samaniego Wilber Dotel
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