Developing a Core: The Pirates Are Stockpiling High-End Talent

Yesterday in Pittsburgh, Lastings Milledge looked like he belonged in the No. 2 spot in the Pirates lineup behind Andrew McCutchen, hitting two RBI singles in the Bucs' victory, his first game in a Pittsburgh uniform. Elsewhere, Jeff Clement hit two home runs in his debut with the Indianapolis Indians, the Pirates' AAA affiliate. So far, so good. Clement, part of the five-player package the Pirates received from the Mariners for Jack Wilson and Ian Snell this week. And Milledge, whom the Bucs acquired with Joel Hanrahan from the Nationals earlier this year in exchange for Nyjer Morgan and Sean Burnett, are just two of the many high-ceiling prospects that new Pirates general manager has added to the organization over the past two years. Jose Tabata, Andy LaRoche, Gorkys Hernandez, are the rest of the prospects. Tim Alderson is another, a player the Pirates acquired from the Giants for Freddy Sanchez Thursday, only hours after getting Clement from Seattle. These are names ba...