PLAYER PROFILE: ROBBIE GROSSMAN
In 2008, the Pittsburgh Pirates made one of their first big late round over-slot signings under Neal Huntington when they gave outfielder Robbie Grossman a $1 M bonus as a sixth round pick, signing him away from a commitment to the University of Texas. Had Grossman attended Texas, he would have been a junior this year, eligible for the 2011 draft. Instead, he signed, and didn’t put up the best numbers to start his career, with a .254/.359/.348 in 937 at-bats, mostly between low-A and high-A.
The biggest issue with Grossman came with his high strikeout rates. Heading in to the 2011 season, Grossman had a 30.8% strikeout rate. He compensated for that a bit with a 13% walk rate, although his lack of power (nine homers) didn’t really help his prospect value. The advantage Grossman had was age. He was 21 years old, heading in to the season, and doesn’t turn 22 until September. Had he gone to college, he probably wouldn’t have been to high-A until 2012, rather than repeating the level in 2011.
The over-slot bonus might be showing signs of paying off for Grossman. Heading in to tonight’s game, he had a .272/.403/.378 line in 254 at-bats. The power isn’t there, but his ratios have been a big improvement. Grossman currently has a 22.4% strikeout ratio, along with a very impressive 17.3% walk ratio in 2011. His numbers are really highlighted by a strong June, in which he has struck out just 15.9% of the time, while walking 23.3% of the time.
Power is usually one of the last things to develop for a prospect, and right now it hasn’t developed for Grossman. However, it’s good to see him making strides in other areas. If his 2011 strikeout rate holds up, he will have improved that ratio two years in a row. 22.4% isn’t an acceptable level without power, although Grossman has gone from 25.9% in April, to 24.0% in May, to his current low totals in June. Grossman may never be a strong home run hitter, but he could have a shot at being a .300 hitter with 25 stolen base potential, strong defense, and a great on-base percentage. If he can one day add power to that arsenal, even if it’s just 10-15 homers, the $1 M investment the Pirates made in him would be worth every penny.
DAILY SUMMARY
Top Pitcher: Jeff Locke, LHP (4.29) – 6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Evan Chambers, CF (.214) – 3-for-4, 2 2B, HR, BB, 3 RBI
Home Runs: Evan Chambers (6), Carlos Paulino (2), Rogelios Noris (6)
AAA: INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS (37-38)
Result: Pawtucket 12, Indianapolis 3
Starting Pitcher: Brad Lincoln, RHP (6-7, 4.14) – 5.0 IP, 7 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Josh Harrison, 3B (.328) – 2-for-3, BB, 2 R
Other Notable Performers
Gorkys Hernandez, CF (.290) – 1-for-3, 2B, BB, 2 RBI
Steven Jackson, RHP (4.63) – 2.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 0 HR
Game Notes: Harrison recorded two hits in his first game back since being optioned from the majors. This was likely Lincoln’s last start before getting promoted next week. Most of his damage came in a rough second inning. Steven Jackson was acquired from the Reds, and made his 2011 organizational debut with two shutout innings.
AA: ALTOONA CURVE (34-38)
Result: Harrisburg 2, Altoona 0
Starting Pitcher: Jeff Locke, LHP (4.29) – 6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Jordy Mercer, SS (.271) – 2-for-4, 3B
Other Notable Performers
Bryan Morris, RHP (4.54) – 1.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 0 HR
Game Notes: Altoona lost in 10 innings in a walk-off homer given up by Anthony Claggett. Jordy Mercer led off the 7th with a triple, but Altoona couldn’t bring him in.
A+: BRADENTON MARAUDERS (32-40)
Result: Bradenton 16, Fort Myers 5
Starting Pitcher: Brian Leach, RHP (1-1, 4.67) – 5.2 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Evan Chambers, CF (.214) – 3-for-4, 2 2B, HR, BB, 3 RBI
Other Notable Performers
Robbie Grossman, RF (.275) – 2-for-4, 2B, 2 BB
Adalberto Santos, 2B (.277) – 3-for-4, 2B, 3B, 2 RBI
Benji Gonzalez, SS (.254) – 2-for-4, 2B, 3B, BB
Game Notes: The homer for Chambers was his 6th. He has an .868 OPS in the month of June. Carlos Paulino also homered.
A: WEST VIRGINIA POWER (36-34)
Result: Hickory 7, West Virginia 5
Starting Pitcher: Tyler Waldron, RHP (4.11) – 5.0 IP, 4 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Rogelios Noris, DH (.217) – 1-for-3, HR, 3 RBI, BB
Other Notable Performers
Mel Rojas Jr., CF (.262) – 2-for-4
Cole White, LF (.333) – 1-for-3, BB, 2 RBI
Game Notes: The homer for Noris was his 6th of the year, and gave West Virginia a 5-0 lead at the time. Brooks Pounders allowed three runs in the seventh, after Waldron allowed four in the fifth.
A-: STATE COLLEGE SPIKES (2-6)
Result: Jamestown 2, State College 1
Starting Pitcher: Rya Hafner, RHP (0.00) – 4.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Justin Bencsko, RF (.400) – 1-for-1, 2 BB, SB
Other Notable Performers
Bryce Weidman, RHP (1-1, 3.60) – 2.0 IP, 2 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 0 HR
Game Notes: Hafner pitched four shutout innings for his second straight outing. So far this year he’s allowed seven hits in eight innings, with six strikeouts and no walks.
Result: State College 4, Jamestown 1
Starting Pitcher: Matt Benedict, RHP (0.00) – 4.1 IP, 5 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Alex Fuselier, LF (.167) – 1-for-3, 3B, RBI
Other Notable Performers
Fraylin Campos, RHP (1-0, 0.00) – 2.2 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 0 HR
Game Notes: Justin Bencsko stole a base in each game tonight.
RK: GCL PIRATES (3-2)
Result: Braves 6, Pirates 4
Starting Pitcher: Wilson Lee, LHP (4.91) – 2.2 IP, 3 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 1 HR
Top Hitter: Jose Osuna, LF (.286) – 2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI
Other Notable Performers
Cristopher Richardson, LHP (0.00) – 3.1 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 0 HR
Jodaneli Carvajal, SS (.125) – 2-for-5
Jonathan Schwind, DH (.467) – 2-for-4, SB
Ashley Ponce, 3B (.286) – 2-for-3, BB
Game Notes: Lee made his second appearance, and first start tonight. Richardson was making his US debut. Willy Garcia hit a triple with his only hit in five at-bats.
RK: DSL Pirates (13-6)
Result: Astros 9, Pirates 7
Starting Pitcher: Ricky Perez, RHP (4.50) – 2.0 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 1 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Jose Ortiz, C (.244) – 1-for-3, BB, 2B, RBI
Game Notes: The Pirates had three pitchers in the game who just showed up on the roster (Raul Batis, Joaquin Santamaria, and Luis Baez. Either this is a mistake, three recent signings that went un-announced, or they’re from the Dominican Academy.
RK: VSL Pirates (20-14)
Result: Phillies 5, Pirates 1
Starting Pitcher: Luis Rico, LHP (0-1, 6.00) – 5.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Jose Roman, DH (.336) – 1-for-4, 2B, RBI
Other Notable Performers
Dilson Herrera, 3B (.292) – 0-for-4, K
Game Notes: Herrera is struggling with a .239/.325/.380 line in 71 June at-bats.
