A lot of action in the Arizona Fall League today for the Pittsburgh Pirates prospects. Three Pirates pitching prospects saw action, including starter Gerrit Cole, and Robbie Grossman had another big day at the plate, with his fifth homer of the AFL season.
Grossman’s homer came to lead off the game, and was part of a 2-for-4 performance, which also featured three RBIs and a stolen base. On the season, Grossman is hitting for a .383/.464/.683 line in 60 at-bats, and his five homers leads the AFL. That amount also matches the league lead from the 2010 season. Dejan Kovacevic was at the game, and caught Grossman’s home run on video, which can be seen here.
Keith Law held a chat today at ESPN and responded with a “yes” when asked whether Robbie Grossman was a top 100 prospect in 2012.
Jarek Cunningham also started today, going 1-for-4 with a double. Cunningham has a five game hitting streak, and is hitting for a .262 average and a .905 OPS so far this season.
Gerrit Cole made the start today, pitching three shutout innings, with two hits, a walk, and three strikeouts. Jason Grey reported that his first five fastballs went 98, 98, 100, 97, and 97. He also added that Cole hit 100 MPH five times, and hit 101 MPH once in the first inning. Dejan Kovacevic said that Cole hit 100+ MPH seven times today.
Cole faced a lineup that featured Mike Trout and Bryce Harper. He got Trout on a ground out in the first inning, followed by a pop out in the third. Harper singled in his only appearance against Cole, on a 99 MPH fastball. Cole threw 53 pitches, 33 for strikes, and got the win.
Nathan Baker replaced Cole in the fourth, and added two more shutout innings. Baker didn’t allow a hit, walked two, and struck out three. One of those strikeouts was against Harper in the fourth inning.
Michael Colla replaced Baker in the sixth inning, and got through a scoreless frame in the fifth, but gave up a solo homer to Tyson Gillies in the seventh inning. Colla only allowed the one run on one hit in two innings, with a walk and two strikeouts. The walk came against Bryce Harper.
Mesa plays tomorrow against Phoenix at 3:35 PM EST.
