Agree Nick....this is why we shouldn't be too disappointed in a .500 record for the Saints this year.

The Saints pitching staff better be good, Varland is 25,  Headrick is 25, Ober will be 28 in July, Dobnak is 28, Winder is 26, Sands will be 26 in July, Balazovic is 24 1/2, SWR is 22 and a former top 100 prospect. Henriquez will be 23 in June, Donato is 28, De Leon is 30, Dereck Rodrigue is close to 31, Fundeburk is 26, Even Enlow turns 24 this month. Festa turns 23 in a few days. Canterino (I know he is hurt) just turned 25.

Only SWR , Henriquez and Festa would be considered young and they won't be for all that much longer. Yes some of these guys are "just in case" depth, but as a whole they are either old or on the old side and IMO and only SWR , Henrquez  Festa are real prospects.

First Ober should be in the majors, either starting the season with a 6 man rotation or in the pen. Second none of of the players above should be blocking real prospects (the 3 above) and others like Prielipp or Festa.

I am not really sure how you consider players in this age bracket with little or no major league experience a pitching pipeline, unless of course they goal is to keep pitching costs down by promoting old prospects.

With that said I expect injuries and guys like Varland, Headrick, and Winder to be pitching in the majors this year, but if they aren't good there really is no reason to continue to have them taking up 40 man roster spots.