Pirates Prospects Sitdown with John Dreker
My latest piece on Journey to the 412 provides an interview I did with John Dreker, as we talk about Pirates prospects entering this season.
Shetler: How should the Pirates handle Paul Skenes this year?
Dreker: Skenes didn't have a lot of innings prior to 2023, then jumped up to nearly 130 last year. I think you want to get him to around 160 this year by slow building him in the minors. I'd rather a guy finished the year strong, rather than shut him down. I have no proof that's a better way, but it's my preference to limit overall innings, but not the amount of time they throw. If he's dominating after getting to six innings in the minors, bring him up. You want him arriving in Pittsburgh, ready to go full innings and leaving the minors with nothing major to work on.
Shetler: Besides Skenes, what other Pirates prospect from the 2023 draft are you the most high on?
Dreker: I was not a fan of their approach in the 2023 draft, especially with all of the money that they had available in their pool. That being said, you have to love the potential upside of Zander Mueth, the 6'6" RHP, who will open this season at 18 years old still. I'm looking forward to hearing about his debut from live reports. That was easily my favorite pick of the draft for the Pirates. Skenes was part of a group of five high upside players, so they really couldn't get that pick wrong.
Shetler: Which position player & pitcher in the system do you think will break out in 2024?
Dreker: I'd love to see what a healthy Carlos Jimenez can do this year after a rough 2023 season. His velocity, breaking ball and unhittable changeup make him so intriguing. Add in the youth and solid frame, and he could be great with just a slight improvement to his control. JP Massey is another one who flashes huge upside, but is inconsistent. On the hitting side, Omar Alfonzo has the potential to be a top 20 prospect in the system with a little improvements and more consistent playing time. He showed some great signs this off-season by hitting well in the Venezuelan winter league against much older competition.
Shetler: Who are a couple of sleeper prospects that Pirates’ fans should keep an eye on?
Dreker: Outside of those previously named breakout prospects, I'd say that a deep sleeper could be Gilberto Alcala. He was a huge upside player, who between the canceled 2020 season and injuries hasn't come close to the potential the Pirates saw in him. However, he put up some solid numbers in the FCL last year, keeping runners off base, while striking out more than a batter per inning. I'm following him to see if he's starting to tap into that potential. Antwone Kelly put up similar numbers to Alcala in the FCL, while showing incredible improvements in his velocity after signing with the Pirates. David Matoma should come to the FCL this year with his triple-digit heat. The 18-year-old from Uganda threw shutout ball for the entire 2023 season in the DSL.
Shetler: Is there a Pirates prospect that you feel needs to have a good year, before he gets lost in the shuffle?
Dreker: I think this is a huge year for Matt Gorski, to see if he can translate his skills into a big league career. The guy has power, speed and defense, so he can get by with a low average if the swing-and-miss holds him back a little, but there's potential to just be a AAA type player who has to grind to get his limited big league shots. He's getting up there in age for a prospect, so it's a bit of a make or break year.
Shetler: I recently did a write up on my site about Omar Alfonzo. Do you think he has a chance to be a legitimate catching prospect in the Pirates’ organization?
Dreker: You can just add to the previous mention of Alfonzo that I think he has a chance to be a legit MLB catcher with improvements
Shetler: Which affiliate are you most looking forward to covering this season?
Dreker: I think Indianapolis will have the most interest throughout the year. They are going to see the top pitching prospects in the system, plus plenty of hitters throughout the year to keep interest all season. They are going to have some interesting additions as the year goes along if all goes well.
Be sure to check out the 2024 Pittsburgh Pirates Minor League guide that John worked on. It contains plenty of farm system history throughout the book. You can order it here: https://www.amazon.com/Pittsburgh-Pirates-Minor-League-Guide/dp/B0CWB4VDT1/ref=sr_1_1?crid=19AIDYBPTT6H8&dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.aiJ-meDRH7mFOnOTPF6Ta6hGvPOn7CcYajG4j_XZumsOIl_WHO8QlToW96UIuDsh.3wFi9lImabp7sTchDrqsaNqt7D16r0h_5CxwA9E-EiI&dib_tag=se&keywords=2024+pittsburgh+pirates+guide&qid=1709488945&sprefix=2024+pitts%2Caps%2C120&sr=8-1