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Pittsburgh Pirates Top 10 Prospects for 2017

By Benjamin Chase

Mar 17, 2016; Bradenton, FL, USA; A view of the Pittsburgh Pirates logo during the game between the Pirates and the New York Yankees at McKechnie Field. The Yankees defeat the Pirates 7-2. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports
Mar 17, 2016; Bradenton, FL, USA; A view of the Pittsburgh Pirates logo during the game between the Pirates and the New York Yankees at McKechnie Field. The Yankees defeat the Pirates 7-2. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-USA TODAY Sports /
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9. Taylor Hearn, LHP

Birthdate: 8/30/94 (22 years old)
Level(s) Played in 2016: rookie, low A
Stats in 2016: 51 2/3 IP, 2.44 ERA, 1.26 WHIP, 10.7 BB%, 34.88 K%

Hearn was drafted on three separate occasions before he chose to sign with the Nationals as a 5th round selection in 2015. He was targeted by the Pirates in their return for Mark Melancon at the trade deadline this past season.

Hearn really fits the prototype for a Pittsburgh pitching prospect, living off of his fastball first. It’s a very good fastball as well, touching 98-99 in short bursts, but sitting 92-95 with excellent plane from his 6’5″ frame and high 3/4 arm slot that also generates late movement on the pitch.

Hearn really fits the prototype for a Pittsburgh pitching prospect, living off of his fastball first

Hearn pairs his fastball with a slider that flashes elite potential but sits more as a fringe-plus pitch. The slider is a definite swing-and-miss pitch with hard, late break that leaves hitters flailing.

Hearn’s change has been used infrequently in his background, so there is plenty of development to do, but he showed flashes of excellence with the pitch and has shown an ability to control the pitch if nothing else.

A broken foot while covering first base this season cut down Hearn’s season before he could really burst on the scene, but he is a guy to definitely track in this system. If the Pirates continue to develop him as a starter, there is an elite level of ceiling there. If they choose to allow him to move quickly with his fastball/slider combination to the bullpen, he could be a back-end guy in a bullpen very quickly.

Hearn will likely open in full-season ball, most likely in high-A, but if the Pirates choose to move him full-time to relief, he could quickly jump up the system.

Next: #8

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