Alex Presley

2013

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2012

Pittsburgh thought it was simply rewarding an organizational depth guy when it brought Presley to the majors in September of 2010. It turns out that Presley might have been deserved the promotion all along. The left-handed hitting outfielder hit .330 in 348 Triple-A at-bats before the Bucs recalled him for an interleague play stint. Presley responded with two or more hits in nine of his first 17 games. A nerve issue in his left thumb sidelined him for the next month and he hit only .276 the rest of the way, compiling an overall slash line of .298/.339/.465 in 215 at-bats. Pirates general manager Neal Huntington said in the offseason that Presley enters 2012 as the team's starting left fielder, but Nate McLouth could force his way into the picture. A good season by Presley would see the 5-foot-9 left fielder hit .300 with 10-plus homers and 20 or more stolen bases. He'll get an opportunity to establish himself, but won't get much margin for error with McLouth and prospects Starling Marte and Robbie Grossman waiting in the wings.

2011

Pittsburgh promoted Presley for an overachieving minor league campaign befitting the overachieving outfielder. Presley, all 5-foot-9 of him, hit .320 with an .867 OPS in 518 at-bats split between Double-A and Triple-A. He stole 13 bases and demonstrated a decent eye (75:41 K:BB ratio). That said, he's not one of the higher rated outfielders in the system and won't likely see PNC Park unless injuries strike and the team needs a one- or two-week fill-in. Presley, who hit .261 in 23 September at-bats for the Bucs, needs a lot to break right for him to get another chance in the major leagues.