Analysis: Mitch Keller, Ke’Bryan Hayes lead list of top 10 Pirates prospects

One of the primary reasons Ben Cherington was hired as general manager by the Pittsburgh Pirates in November was because ownership believes he can build a strong player development system.

The Pirates certainly can use help in that department. They generally are considered to have one of the weaker farm systems in baseball.

Mitch Keller was considered the Pirates’ top prospect coming into last season, and he struggled mightily in his first taste of the major leagues. Many other players call up from the minor leagues also were overmatched as the Pirates went 69-93 and last in the National League Central.

Here is a look at the Pirates’ top 10 prospects, based on conversations with talent evaluators from multiple organizations:

1. Mitch Keller, RHP

Age: 23. Bats-Throws: R-R. Ht: 6-2. Wt: 210.

How acquired: Second-round draft pick, 2014, from Cedar Rapids (Iowa) Xavier High School.

2019 stats: 1-5, 7.13 ERA, 12.2 SO/9 in 11 starts with Pirates; 7-5, 3.56, 10.7 SO/9 in 19 starts with Triple-A Indianapolis.

Scouting report: Keller remains eligible for this list because he has not exhausted his rookie eligibility. A true power pitcher who has two strikeout pitches in his fastball and curveball. Keller’s biggest problem, especially during his time in the majors, has been falling behind in counts. He also tends to struggle maintaining his arm slot, which leads to inconsistency with the curve. Keller looked scared when he first arrived in the majors but seemed to gain confidence.

2. Ke’Bryan Hayes, 3B

Age: 22. Bats-Throws: R-R. Ht: 6-1. Wt: 210.

How acquired: Supplemental first-round draft pick, 2015, from Tomball (Texas) Concordia Lutheran High School.

2019 stats: .261/.334/.411, 10 HR, 13 SB in 113 games with Indianapolis and short-season Single-A West Virginia.

Scouting report: He has five-tool potential with the ability to hit for average, hit for power, run the bases well, have a strong arm and play good defense. Hayes consistently puts the ball in play, has a good eye and is beginning to develop power. Defense is his biggest strength at this point with a cannon arm and great range and instincts. That makes him a potential Gold Glove winner.

3. Oneil Cruz, SS

Age: 21. Bats-Throws: L-R. Ht: 6-7. Wt: 175.

How acquired: From Los Angeles Dodgers in trade, 2017.

2019 stats: .298/.356/.475, 8 HR, 11 SB in 73 games with Double-A Altoona, high Single-A Bradenton and rookie-level GCL Pirates.

Scouting report: He was slowed by a broken foot last season but possesses star potential with outstanding raw power and above-average speed. It is easy to envision him being a 20/20 player in the major leagues. Cruz’s size could eventually cause him to be moved from shortstop, but he has the arm strength to play third base or right field.

4. Quinn Priester, RHP

Age: 19. Bats-Throws: R-R. Ht: 6-3. Wt: 195.

How acquired: First-round draft pick, 2019, from Cary (Ill.) Cary-Grove High School.

2019 stats: 1-1, 3.19, 10.1 SO/9 in nine games (eight starts) with West Virginia and GCL Pirates.

Scouting report: Priester also was a football star in high school, so he doesn’t have as much experience as other top prospects. However, he does possess a live arm and very good command of his fastball and curveball — both plus pitches — for such a young pitcher. If he can master the changeup to combat left-handed hitters, Priester has a chance to be a No. 1 starter.

5. Sammy Siani, OF

Age: 19. Bats-Throws: L-L. Ht: 6-0. Wt: 195.

How acquired: Supplemental first-round draft pick, 2019, from Philadelphia William Penn Charter School.

2019 stats: .241/.372/.308, 0 HR in 39 games with GCL Pirates.

Scouting report: Siani has classic small-ball offensive skills with a high contact rate, good eye and above above-average speed. While he is expected to add power as he gains experience, he projects as a hitter who will bat in one of the top two spots in the lineup. Siani has the range and instincts to become a potentially above-average center fielder.

6. Ji-Hwan Bae, SS/2B

Age: 20. Bats-Throws: L-R. Ht: 6-1. Wt: 170.

How acquired: Amateur free agent from South Korea, 2018.

2019 stats: .323/.403/.430, 0 HR, 31 SB in 86 games with low Single-A Greensboro.

Scouting report: His bat-on-ball skills manifested last season in a South Atlantic League batting title. Bae consistently puts the ball in play and uses his outstanding speed to leg out infield hits and steal bases. He is also a plus defender with the range and arm to play shortstop. Bae is unlikely to develop much power but could be a fine leadoff hitter.

7. Travis Swaggerty, CF

Age: 22. Bats-Throws: L-L. Ht: 5-11. Wt: 180.

How acquired: First-round draft pick, 2018, from South Alabama.

2019 stats: .265/.347/.381, 9 HR, 23 SB in 121 games with Bradenton.

Scouting report: Though undoubtedly talented, Swaggerty has yet to turn his skills into production in professional baseball. He has no weaknesses in his game, doing everything well, though nothing spectacularly. Swaggerty can hit for average and power and has the speed to steal bases. He also covers plenty of ground in center field and showed an above-average arm.

8. Braxton Ashcraft, RHP

Age: 20. Bats-Throws: L-R. Ht: 6-5. Wt: 195.

How acquired: Second-round draft pick, 2018, from Robinson (Texas) High School.

2019 stats: 1-9, 5.77, 6.6 SO/9 in 11 starts with West Virginia.

Scouting report: The statistics don’t come close to matching the potential in this case. Ashcraft has a live fastball with sinking action that he throws from an over-the-top angle that makes it appear it is right on top of hitters. He also has a power slider and a rudimentary changeup. Ashcraft needs better overall command of his pitches. A shot of confidence would also help.

9. Mason Martin, 1B

Age: 20. Bats-Throws: L-R. Ht: 6-0. Wt: 210.

How acquired: 17th-round draft pick, 2017, from Kennewick (Wash.) Southridge High School.

2019 stats: .254/.351/.558, 35 HR in 131 games with Bradenton and Greensboro.

Scouting report: Raw power is Martin’s calling card, as evidenced by hitting the fourth-most home runs in the minor leagues last season. He also has a good eye and will take a walk but, like most power hitters, is prone to striking out. Martin has flaws, including being a below-average defender and runner. However, his power in intriguing in an organization short on home-run hitters.

10. Alexander Mojica, 3B

Age: 17. Bats-Throws: R-R. Ht: 6-1. Wt: 195.

How acquired: Amateur free agent from Dominican Republic, 2018

2019 stats: .351/.468/.580, 8 HR in 55 games with rookie-level DSL Pirates 2.

Scouting report: Mojica is obviously a long way from PNC Park as he has yet to play a professional game in the United States. However, he is on this list partially because of his raw talent and partially because the Pirates system is weak. Mojica shows the ability to hit for average and power, which help mitigate questions about his glove and speed.