Bucs Start Signing Prospects

The Bucs signed their first 2011 draft pick, 6th rounder Dan Gamache of Auburn. Baseball America reports that "Gamache had a hand injury late in the season that required surgery and ended his year early. He hit just .265 in Southeastern Conference play but has solid athleticism and is willing to take a walk. Gamache has good enough hands and arm strength to stay at third base."

He should start off at State College or West Virginia, the usual landing spots for college draftees. Gamache signed for $125,000 bonus, within slot.

We took a quick look at the lower level rosters to see if any other draftees are in camp. State College includes picks RHP Matt Benedict (30th round - Western Carolina), C Derek Trent (31st round - East Tennessee State) and infielders Brian Sharp (24th round - California Baptist) & Kirk Singer (29th round - Long Beach State) on their initial roster, so we assume they've inked a deal. RHPs Stetson Allie and Nick Kingham along with position players SS Jorge Bishop & OF Exicardo Cayonez are the top prospects on the Spikes roster.

The rosters of the GCL Pirates and West Virginia Power (though Gamache may end up there) don't show any new 2011 additions yet, though the rookie league squad has the makings of a true UN club. There are 16 players on the roster to date, and they come from Mexico, Taiwan, Australia, Cuba, Lithuania, Dominican Republic, Netherlands, Venezuela and the US. Guess the international scouts for Pittsburgh have been busy. RHP Luis Heredia is the top name for the GCL team.

They also inked two players from Taiwan, C Chin-De Chang and LHP Wei-Chung Wang, according to Tim Williams at Pirates Prospects, who added:

"Chang is 5′ 10″, 154 pounds, and is a left handed hitter.  He’s one of the top prospects in Taiwan, with excellent bat speed, and power from the left side. He has a strong arm, which makes him ideal as a catcher.  It was speculated that it would take $150 K to sign him.

Wang is 6′ 1″, 170 pounds, and has touched 88 MPH with his fastball.  He’s got some projectability, and shows an above average changeup at times. It was rumored that his asking price was $300 K."

This is the Bucco draft rundown by John Sickels of Minor League Baseball, who writes "The Pirates executed a great one-two-three punch with Cole/Bell/Dickerson at the top of the draft, then went to their usual strategy of loading up with projectable high school arms."