Opening Day is less than three weeks away, and hosts Cory Humes and Alan Smodic begin to wonder who’ll take the hill against the Los Angeles Dodgers on April 5. In the fourth episode of the Pirate Revolution podcast on Titletahn.com, the Pirates’ starting pitchers at the major and minor-league levels are reviewed. You can play episode No. 4 of Pirate Revolution above or download the show here.

Alan pegs Paul Maholm as the Opening Day starter, and given the lefty’s track record, it’s hard to argue against the pick. In Maholm, Ross Ohlendorf and Zach Duke, the Pirates have three dependable options for the rotation. But, one member of that trio is discussed as trade bait: Which pitcher should Neal Huntington trade while his stock is still high?

Charlie Morton is a breakout candidate at the back of the rotation, and it’s becoming clear that Daniel McCutchen, not Kevin Hart, should break camp as the fifth starter. Looming in Indianapolis are Brad Lincoln and Donnie Veal, two very different—but very intriguing—options for “ace of the future.”

Looking to the longer term, pitchers at Altoona, Bradenton and West Virginia are highlighted, including Tim Alderson, acquired at the 2009 trade deadline for Freddy Sanchez. The Pirates have stockpiled young arms, and even at the rookie ball level there will be interesting prospects to keep an eye on in 2010. Quinton Miller and Zack Von Rosenberg represent the potential elite talent in the Pirates’ second wave of starting pitching.

This episode runs approximately 43 minutes. Thanks for listening. Feel free to leave a comment with your feedback.