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Its basically a chat about the Upton brothers but Law does address the problems a player can have being in the wrong organization.

Keith Law Chat

Bob(Pittsbugh): I think the problems in the Pirates lack of development of players goes back further than the Littlefield era. They tried to pass off Al Martin and Kevin Young as potential stars after Bonds left.

Keith Law: They used to screw up every hitting prospect they got - Richie Hebner was the AAA coach, and he forced every hitting prospect he got to go up hacking. Maybe Ron Wright and TJ Staton weren't great prospects to begin with, but a better club could have gotten more value out of them.

Bob(Pittsburgh): Could BJ have been the same player he is today if he would have been taken by the Pirates?

Keith Law: That's a very good question. My instinct is to say no. The Pirates have been a horrendous developmental organization for the past six or seven years; they've even mishandled Walker and McCutchen, the two best hitting prospects they've had in that timeframe. Littlefield and Graham probably would have tried to make him a catcher or something.

Andy (Durham): Speaking of Richie Hebner, he was Upton's AAA coach in Durham, could that explain the mediocre numbers in AAA for BJ?

Keith Law: I think it's a big factor. He's also not the best person when it comes to dealing to some of his players.
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I really hate it when someone who has never really had a close up look at players acts like an expert. As in the chat link that was posted.

We can all look at stats and make predictions, but when someone says something talking about the Upton brothers like this...

"Justin resembles his brother both physically and in baseball style"

Justin and BJ do not resemble each other physically at all. Anyone who has ever been around them would know that. They have two completely different body types. Regarding style, both have pretty much all the tools, but BJ is a smoother type athlete and Justin is more a power type athlete.
The Pirates have been horrendous for many years regarding developing their young talent and had scouts and coaches in place that were, well, questionable at best. However, they've done a great job over the past couple years in attempting to right that wrong. I know personally a couple guys who are now very actively involved within the organization whom I believe in whole heartedly. Their track records speak for themselves and though it will take time I believe we'll see an improvement over the next several years that may change peoples opinions about the Pirates organization.

Now, if there was only something they could do to get more butts in the seats. IMO they have one of the nicest stadiums to go watch a baseball game. Hopefully as they continue to improve upon their scouting and coaching staffs, the results will be more winning seasons, thus, bringing more butts in the seats at one of the best stadiums there are in the MLB.
Last edited by j2h6

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