Over the last two years, the Pirates have had a glaring weakness in their farm system - a lack of left-handed pitching talent. The Pirates have LHP Cody Dickson who was drafted in 2013, but he has been inconsistent thus far in his pro career. Other than Dickson, at the end of last season the system was barren of possible impact left-handed pitchers. Joely Rodriguez was around, but he was quickly dealt to the Phillies for Antonio Bastardo.
The Pirates addressed this weakness through the Travis Snider trade this past winter when they acquired LHP Steven Brault and LHP Stephen Tarpley from Baltimore. The 23-year-old Brault is currently pitching in AA, and profiles more as a back of the rotation type of starter – possibly a useful piece out of the bullpen.
However, 22-year-old Stephen Tarpley has an even higher ceiling and is an intriguing prospect. Baltimore selected Tarpley in the third round of the 2013 draft out of Scottsdale Community College in Arizona. What makes Tarpley so in...
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