Former NYPL Prospects listed in Baseball America Prospect Handbook (part 1)

It's that time of year. I'm going through my copy of the 2019 Prospect Handbook published by Baseball America. It is available directly from the publisher and at Amazon and is highly recommended.

Credit: Baseball America

Here are the former West Virginia Black Bears who are listed in the top 30 prospects of the Pittsburgh Pirates. Link their Baseball Reference page by clicking on the player's name.

1. Mitch Keller (2017). He started two games for the Black Bears during a rehab assignment. Will start this season with the Indianapolis Indians.

2. Ke'Bryan Hayes (2015). A first round pick, Hayes played in 12 games for the Black Bears after being promoted from the Gulf Coast Pirates. Non-roster invitee to Pirates Spring Training this year. Spent 2018 with the Altoona Curve and will be the Indianapolis Indians third baseman this season.

4. Travis Swaggerty (2018). First round pick out of South Alabama. Played in 36 games for the Black Bears in 2018 (.288/.365/.453) before promotion to Low-A West Virginia Power. Will probably start 2019 at Low-A Greensboro and see action in Bradenton later in season.

5. Kevin Kramer (2015). Played in 46 games for Black Bears in 2015. Has moved up in system quickly, playing in 21 games for the 2018 Pittsburgh Pirates. On Pirates 40-man roster, but should spend 2019 in Indianapolis.

7. Kevin Newman (2015). First round draft pick out the University of Arizona. Played in 38 games for the Black Bears (.226/.281/.340). On Pirates 40-man roster and may be playing at PNC Park to start season.

11. Luis Escobar (2015-16). Was 6-5, 2.93 ERA for Black Bears in 2016. Spent 2018 with Bradenton and Altoona. On Pirates 40-man roster. Optioned to Indianapolis Indians on March 9, 2019.

16. Will Craig (2016). First round draft pick out of Wake Forest. Played in 63 games for Black Bears. Had breakout year with Altoona Curve in 2018 (20 HR, 102 RBI). Non-roster invitee to 2019 Pirates Spring Training. Should play at Indianapolis in 2019.

19. Jared Oliva (2017). Played for Black Bears in 2017 (.266/.327/.374 in 56 games). Was at Bradenton (Florida State League) in 2018 and should play for Altoona Curve in 2019.

22. Deon Stafford (2017). Fifth round pick out of St. Joseph University (Philadelphia) in 2017. Played in 45 games for Black Bears (4 HR, 28 RBI, .749 OPS). Look for him at Bradenton at start of 2019 season.

26. Stephen Alemais (2016). Played in 39 games for the Black Bears in 2016 before being promoted to the West Virginia Power in the South Atlantic League. Spent the 2018 season with Altoona Curve. Look for him at Altoona or Indianapolis at start of 2019 season.

27. J.T. Brubaker (2015). Was starting pitcher in 15 games for League Champion Black Bears in 2015 (6-4, 2.82 ERA, 0.941 WHIP). Spent time at Altoona and Indianapolis in 2018. On Pirates 40-man roster. Should start 2019 at Indianapolis.

29. Dario Argazal (2015). Had 14 starts for Black Bears in 2015 (6-5, 2.72 ERA). Started strong, but saw limited action in 2018 due to shoulder injury. Outrighted to Altoona Curve on January 18, 2019 and was a non-roster invitee to Spring Training.Will probably start 2019 at Altoona.

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