Tim Alderson

After zipping through three levels in two years with San Francisco, Alderson cooled off after going to Pittsburgh for Freddy Sanchez in a deadline deal last summer. The 2007 No. 1 draft pick began the campaign with a sparking 6-1 mark. A 46:14 K:BB ratio in 72.2 innings stood out, but an overall WHIP of 1.239 didn't look quite as good because of the 76 hits he allowed with Double-A Connecticut. Pitching for the Double-A Curve, Alderson put up erratic numbers, including an 18:13 K:BB ratio in 26 innings, but the 21-year-old righty has plenty of room to grow. Alderson's fastball can hit the low 90s with a herky-jerk motion that some believe could be even faster with some mechanical adjustments. He came to the Pirates as a highly-touted prospect and will likely get a chance to show his wares once again at the Double-A level with a chance of late-season advancement to Triple-A.