System Rankings #12 - Attack Pigeons

By John Radzinski

Currently the Attack Pigeons’ Farm System is stripped of talent. That’s of no fault of their owner, because that’s what will happen when Tommy Hanson, Matt Wieters, Ricky Romero and Daniel Bard graduate to the majors in the same season. That being said, whoever the Pigeons draft with their five selections in this year’s prospect draft, will most likely be the top 5 prospects in the system, not always the best sign of things to come. And worst news yet, the team does not have a particularly great drafting history.

Currently the team remains in a state of limbo: With a good draft, they could be talented enough to be near or even .500, but even in the best case scenario, they most likely don’t have enough talent to make a push for the playoffs. Critics have said that the team should unload superstars Carlos Beltran, Curtis Granderson and even Chase Utley for a premium package of picks, prospects, and young talent, and then build around a young nucleus of Zimmerman, Wieters, and Loney. However the team seems content with staying pat, hoping a few breaks go their way and relying heavily on the squad’s starting pitching as its obvious strength.

Look for the Pigeons to target prospects that might be able to help sooner rather than later, and look for them to get offense. With the 2nd overall selection, they will have an interesting choice to make. With the Rampage on the Stephen Strausberg watch, the Pigeons will have to decide to go for the best hitter available (Dustin Ackley?) or the likes of a Aroldis Chapman.

Top 5 Prospects:
1. Jamie Garcia SP STL
2. Tyler Colvin OF CHC
3. Scott Lewis SP CLE
4. Matt Bush RP TB
5. Chris Nelson SS COL

Top 5 Graduated Prospects:
1. Tommy Hanson 2009 Rd. 1
2. Matt Wieters 2008, Rd 1
3. Ricky Romero 2007 Rd.14
4. David Murphy 2007 Rd. 8
5. Justin Masterson 2008 Rd. 2 (Free Agent)