I too am critical of how players were developed. The Bucs never got the most of what Cole or Morton had. And they had no idea how to develop Glasnow. And didn't seem to know what they had in Meadows. It's frustrating to see other teams get out of former Pirates what the Pirates were unable to get.
But outside of the players lost in the disastrous Archer trade, I'm probably forgetting some but I can't think of any failed Pirate prospects (regardless of how they were acquired) who just needed a different organization to blossom. Even Pedro Alvarez--a one trick pony (power if a ball was left over the plate but no other hitting or fielding skills)--continued to fail when given chances with the Orioles and Marlins. So if seems the Pirates have demonstrated both poor recognition of talent when obtaining prospects and poor development of those with the most ability.
Of course in fairness, Ke'Bryan Hayes was drafted and developed under the NH regime. So it looks like they got it right with him. And Keller shows promise if he can stop walking almost a batter per inning. But Nick Kingham was supposed to be the next big thing. I wonder if he's speaking Korean now.
I wonder what Polanco would have done if he was traded a few years ago. Granted, he has had a ton of health issues, but I'd argue he was an example of poor development. He has way too much talent to look so poor at the MLB level. Maybe I just bought in to the national talk of best OF in baseball, but Polanco was a real disappointment. Development doesn't stop when a guy hits the majors.
