TOP OF THE SYSTEM
A look at how the current top 10 prospects did today. Note that this list doesn’t include players currently in the majors. Rankings from the 2012 Prospect Guide, which can be purchased here.
1. Gerrit Cole, RHP (1-1, 3.52) – 6.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 0 HR
2. Jameson Taillon, RHP (1-1, 1.46) – DNP
3. Starling Marte, CF (.276) – 0-for-3, BB
4. Josh Bell, RF (.274) – Low-A DL
5. Luis Heredia, RHP (No Stats) – Extended Spring Training
6. Robbie Grossman, CF (.195) – 0-for-1
7. Tony Sanchez, C (.259) – 2-for-3
8. Stetson Allie, RHP (0-0, 54.00) – Extended Spring Training
9. Kyle McPherson, RHP (No Stats) – AAA DL
10. Nick Kingham, RHP (0-1, 8.59) – DNP
COUPON CODE
The minor league system hit 13 homers last week. The code “HOME RUN” gives you $0.50 off per home run, which is a savings of $6.50. Use the code on the products page of the site to get your discount. Expires Sunday 5/6 at 11:59:59 PM EST.
DAILY SUMMARY
Top Hitter: Alex Dickerson, 1B (.256) – 3-for-5, 2B, 4 RBI
Home Runs: Carlos Mesa (2)
AAA: INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS
Result: Durham 1, Indianapolis 0
Starting Pitcher: Jeff Locke, LHP (2.89) – 7.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 4 BB, 2 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Jordy Mercer, SS (.237) – 1-for-3
Other Notable Performers
Daniel Moskos, LHP (0-1, 3.68) – 1.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 0 K, 0 HR
Game Notes: My live game report.
AA: ALTOONA CURVE
Result: Erie 10, Altoona 5
Starting Pitcher: Nathan Baker, LHP (2-3, 6.94) – 4.1 IP, 9 H, 8 R, 7 ER, 4 BB, 2 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Matt Curry, 1B (.307) – 2-for-3, 2B
Other Notable Performers
Tony Sanchez, C (.259) – 2-for-3
Ramon Cabrera, DH (.273) – 1-for-2, 3B, BB, 2 RBI
Game Notes: The game was called early after a rain delay. Nathan Baker has given up 17 earned runs in 12.1 innings over his last three starts. Matt Curry has seven doubles in his last 11 games. Adalberto Santos injured his knee sliding in to home and was removed from the game.
A+: BRADENTON MARAUDERS
Result: Bradenton 8, Jupiter 0
Starting Pitcher: Gerrit Cole, RHP (1-1, 3.52) – 6.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Alex Dickerson, 1B (.256) – 3-for-5, 2B, 4 RBI
Other Notable Performers
Drew Maggi, 2B (.303) – 3-for-3, BB, 5 R, 2 SB
Game Notes: Gerrit Cole now has a 3.52 ERA in 23 innings this year, with a 29:7 K/BB ratio and 17 hits allowed. Alex Dickerson’s double was just his second extra base hit of the year. Drew Maggi stole two bases, giving him nine on the year. Jason Townsend pitched two shutout innings, striking out three, and Zach Foster pitched a shutout inning to close out the game.
A: WEST VIRGINIA POWER
Result: West Virginia 9, Greensboro 6
Starting Pitcher: Zac Fuesser, LHP (3.43) – 4.0 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 4 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Alen Hanson, SS (.410) – 3-for-5, 2 SB
Other Notable Performers
Gregory Polanco, DH (.286) – 4-for-5
Carlos Mesa, RF (.385) – 2-for-5, HR, 2 RBI
Orlando Castro, LHP (1-2, 4.08) – 5.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 0 HR
Game Notes: Alen Hanson is 8-for-14 in his last three games, since losing his 16 game hitting streak. His two stolen bases give him ten on the year. Carlos Mesa has two homers in three games with West Virginia this year. Mesa was called up from extended Spring Training after Josh Bell went down last week with a knee injury. Orlando Castro has combined for nine shutout innings in his last two appearances, allowing five hits, two walks, and striking out ten.
ORGANIZATIONAL RECORDS
AAA: Indianapolis Indians – 12-11
AA: Altoona Curve – 8-14
A+: Bradenton Marauders – 11-13
A: West Virginia Power – 8-16
Tim started Pirates Prospects in 2009 from his home in Virginia, which was 40 minutes from where Pedro Alvarez made his pro debut in Lynchburg. That year, the Lynchburg Hillcats won the Carolina League championship, and Pirates Prospects was born from Tim's reporting along the way. The site has grown over the years to include many more writers, and Tim has gone on to become a credentialed MLB reporter, producing Pirates Prospects each year, and will publish his 11th Prospect Guide this offseason. He has also served as the Pittsburgh Pirates correspondent for Baseball America since 2019. Behind the scenes, Tim is an avid music lover, and most of the money he gets paid to run this site goes to vinyl records.
Shoot, look at Dylan Bundy down in single-A. 17 innings, one hit, 25 K’s.
Nice post JBB, legitimate case you make. I think Bauer is an ace for sure, but I think Cole will be just as good and maybe better which really puts Cole’s ceiling in perspective. So fortunate the Bucs are to have Taillon and Cole… really.
Glad to hear Cole is doing well. Last year I was harping away that the Pirates should take Trevor Bauer, Cole’s teammate out of UCLA. Time will tell who will turn out to be the better pick, but as of right now look at Bauer’s stats. Bauer is in AA and it isn’t unrealistic to think he’ll see the Majors later this year.
5-0, 28.2 IP, 37K (that’s 11.2/9) and a 1.22 WHIP.
I hope for our sake that Cole becomes a legit dominant #1 , but at this point I’m still going to maintain they should have taken Bauer as I acknowledge it is very early in the process.
Good news for Locke, but for those 4 walks. GREAT news on Cole.
Hopefully, Santos only has a bruised knee.