In recent years I've noticed a trend: The Pirates, Devil Rays, and Royals always suck. If this isn't strikingly obvious to you, then you probably don't watch a lot of baseball. The one advantage of having the terrible streak of depressing play is the Amateur Draft.
It is finally a chance for these teams to shed the tag of mediocrity and hopefully start anew. In two or three years that is. The one problem is when teams squander their picks on worthless players, like Tampa on Josh Hamilton.
But the Pirates don't often waste these picks. In fact, their forty man roster is loaded with their own draft picks. The Pirates have stayed pat for several losing seasons, not dealing their top prospects often, and when they do it is only for sure investments (Sean Casey).
Here are the Pirates homegrown prospects:
Bryan Bullington: Oft injured pitcher, still deemed a top talent. (1st Round, 2002)
Sean Burnett: Lefty pitcher who hasn't produced in the Majors yet. (1st Round 2000)
Matthew Capps: Pitcher who was moved to Relief, and is now looked upon as a formidable future middle relief option. (7th Round, 2002)
Zach Duke: Lefty, Top Pitching Prospect. (20th Round, 2000)
Mike González: Lefty, Candidate for Closer Job this Year. (30th Round, 1997)
John Grabow: Yet another Lefty, decent middle reliever. (3rd Round, 1997)
Mike Johnston: Another solid Lefty middle reliever. (20th Round, 1998)
Ian Oquendo/Snell: This righty could be a major contributor to either the rotation or bullpen. (26th Round, 2000)
John Van Benschoten: Kent State Power Hitter/Closer, drafted and put in system as pitcher. Has missed past 2 seasons, but still recognized as Top Prospect. (1st Round, 2001)
Ryan Doumit: Catching Prospect, split time between AAA and the MLB last year. (2nd Round, 1999)
Jose Bautista: Outfielder/3B who has bounced around the ML, and is now back on his original drafter. (20th Round, 2000)
Jose Castillo: 2nd Baseman, one of best fielders in the game. (Amateur FA, 1997)
Brad "Big Country" Eldred: Top Prospect, who played 1st but will most likely move due to the acquistion of Sean Casey. (6th Round, 2002)
Chris Duffy: Outfield Prospect, who hit .341 in 43 games. (8th Round, 2001)
Nate McLouth: Good Young Centerfielder, expected to compete for a job this Spring. (25th Round, 2000)
These are all quality prospects. The Prates should be feared in the next few years.
(Sites used: Wikipedia, Baseball Reference)