One of the more interesting storylines for the Pirates going into the 2010 season will be whether top hitting prospect Jose Tabata claims a roster spot coming out of spring training.
Tabata, 20, was promoted up to Class AAA Indianapolis last week after batting .303 in 61 games for the Altoona Curve (AA) and is on the verge of being MLB ready.
Tabata has been on a tear since early July and has continued his strong play in AAA, batting .385 in three games with Indianapolis.
With the minor league season ending in early September, it has been speculated that Tabata would be a potential September call-up.
Indications are that won't be the case and infact, Tabata will not have a strong chance of making the club out of spring training.
It is expected that Tabata will spend the first couple months of the 2010 season in the minors, so his free agent clock doesn't start.
Sometime after Memorial Day (2010) is where the team projects Tabata to be a regular on the Pirates 25 man roster.
Regarding Tabata's value, there continues to be mixed opinions around the league. Some scouts value him as the 3rd rated prospect in the Pirates system while others rank him as number 6 or 7.
There are age concerns and questions about his frame with scouts having concerns that he'll have the power to be a corner outfielder.
Pirates Committing to Adam Laroche at third base for the 2010 season?
In what has been somewhat surprising, the organization has full intentions on
GET "INSIDE ACCESS"!
Comments