Jameson Taillon and Stetson Allie started on opposite teams in an intrasquad game today at Pirate City. Both right-handers pitched in to the fifth inning, and finished with 70 or more pitches.
Taillon had a dominant outing, going up against the high-A lineup. He threw five innings, allowing a run on two hits, with two walks and seven strikeouts. The 2010 first round pick got a lot of strikeouts on his curveball. He threw 70 pitches, with 42 for strikes. His fastball ranged from 93-98 MPH.
Allie had another outing where he lacked control, although his stuff overpowered the low-A lineup. In 4.1 innings, the 2010 2nd round pick allowed one run on no hits, with four walks and five strikeouts.
The right-hander had good command in the first inning, but as the start went on, his control struggled more and more. By the time the fifth inning rolled around, he struggled finding the plate, and was throwing in the high-80s.
Allie has only been pitching for two years, and he was only a starter for about a month last year. So it’s not a big surprise that his velocity dipped in the later innings.
The fastball command continues to show improvements, but today showed that Allie still has a way to go. He’s been unhittable in his last two starts, giving up two hits in 7.2 innings, while striking out ten. However, he’s walked nine in that stretch.
In some cases, Allie wasn’t missing his spots. He was just trying to get batters to chase pitches out of the zone. That’s happened several times on low and away sliders that turned a pitcher’s count in to a hitter’s count. Today he had an at-bat against Alen Hanson where Hanson laid off three fastballs just outside of the strike zone to take a walk.
Allie’s command has made massive improvements over the last year, and it should continue to improve as he gets more innings in the West Virginia rotation this year.
MCPHERSON TO THE DL
Right-handed pitcher Kyle McPherson will start the season on the Indianapolis disabled list due to some shoulder inflammation, Pirates Prospects has learned. The Pirates haven’t set a timetable for McPherson’s return, but he will miss enough time to miss the start of the 2012 season.
Jo-Jo Reyes is currently the favorite to take McPherson’s spot in the rotation, although nothing is finalized. Shairon Martis could also factor in to the equation.
OTHER NOTES
**Alen Hanson showed his speed today, stealing second base off Stetson Allie and Elias Diaz. He then stole third on a double steal. On the same play, Diaz allowed the ball to get away from him, and Hanson went non-stop around third and in to home. Diaz recovered and made the play at the plate, although it was very close due to Hanson’s speed.
**Drew Maggi also showed off his speed, stealing second base against Carlos Paulino, who has one of the best arms in the system. Maggi then scored from second on a 3-1 ground out.
**Gregory Polanco has been hitting the ball well all spring. Today he had a double off the right field wall against Jordan Cooper.
VIDEO OF THE DAY
A.J. Burnett’s third inning today at Pirate City, which saw him get six outs on 23 pitches.
