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.
1. Gerrit Cole, RHP (No Stats) – DNP
2. Jameson Taillon, RHP (No Stats) – DNP
3. Starling Marte, CF (No Stats) – DNP
4. Josh Bell, RF (.200) – 1-for-5, 2B, 3 K
5. Luis Heredia, RHP (No Stats) – Extended Spring Training
6. Robbie Grossman, CF (.400) – 2-for-5, HR, 2 RBI
7. Tony Sanchez, C (.333) – 1-for-3, BB, 3B
8. Stetson Allie, RHP (No Stats) – DNP
9. Kyle McPherson, RHP (No Stats) – AAA DL
10. Nick Kingham, RHP (0-0, 27.00) – 1.2 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 0 HR
DAILY SUMMARY
Top Hitter: Alen Hanson, SS (.750) – 3-for-4, 2B, HR
Home Runs: Robbie Grossman (1), Alen Hanson (1)
AAA: INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS
Indianapolis was off today. They begin their season tomorrow.
AA: ALTOONA CURVE
Result: Altoona 7, Erie 4
Starting Pitcher: Michael Colla, RHP (6.75) – 4.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 1 HR
Top Hitter: Robbie Grossman, CF (.400) – 2-for-5, HR, 2 RBI
Other Notable Performers
Brock Holt, SS (.667) – 2-for-3, 2 BB, SB
Tony Sanchez, C (.333) – 1-for-3, BB, 3B
Matt Curry, 1B (.500) – 2-for-4
Quincy Latimore, LF (.500) – 2-for-4, 2 RBI
Jarek Cunningham, 2B (.400) – 2-for-5, 2B
Duke Welker, RHP (0.00) – 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 0 HR
Game Notes: Every single Altoona hitter recorded at least one hit tonight. Robbie Grossman singled in his first Double-A at-bat in the first inning, then hit a two run homer in the second inning for his first homer of the year. Quincy Latimore added some insurance in the bottom of the eighth with a two RBI single, turning a one run game in to a three run game. Tony Sanchez had a good night at the plate, but was 0-for-3 in caught stealing attempts, including a double steal of second and third.
A+: BRADENTON MARAUDERS
Result: Bradenton 3, St. Lucie 2
Starting Pitcher: Colton Cain, LHP (2.45) – 3.2 IP, 3 H, 2 R, 1 ER, 4 BB, 4 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Gift Ngoepe, SS (.600) – 3-for-5
Other Notable Performers
Mel Rojas Jr., RF (.250) – 1-for-4, 2B
Casey Sadler, RHP (0.00) – 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 0 HR
Game Notes: Sadler, Eliecer Navarro, and Jhonathan Ramos combined for 7.1 shutout innings, allowing four hits, two walks, and striking out seven. Check out my notebook of the game here.
A: WEST VIRGINIA POWER
Result: Hagerstown 11, West Virginia 9
Starting Pitcher: Nick Kingham, RHP (27.00) – 1.2 IP, 4 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 3 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Alen Hanson, SS (.750) – 3-for-4, 2B, HR
Other Notable Performers
Willy Garcia, LF (.600) – 3-for-5
Gregory Polanco, CF (.600) – 3-for-5, 3B
Jodaneli Carvajal, 2B (.500) – 2-for-4
Josh Bell, RF (.200) – 1-for-5, 2B, 3 K
Game Notes: Just like Altoona, every member of the West Virginia lineup had a hit. Josh Bell recorded his first pro hit with a double in the fifth inning, but struck out three times. Here is Wilbur Miller’s recap from the game.
ORGANIZATIONAL RECORDS
AAA: Indianapolis Indians – 0-0
AA: Altoona Curve – 1-0
A+: Bradenton Marauders – 1-0
A: West Virginia Power – 0-1
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.
Wilber,I thought I saw where you had mentioned that Jeremy Farrell was now at AAA ? Did he get moved late last night or this AM ? He was right in front of me last night against Erie is why I am asking.
Forgot to mention that Duke Welker looked pretty strong to me also.93 to 95 mph with his fastball and a good hard slider that seemed to break both down and away.
To be fair to Sanchez,Colla didn’t do any kind of a job holding the runners,and Sanchez still almost had the out calls. Also,in a non related issue,PJ Forbes the third base coach, twice made questionable decisions sending runners home with 2 outs. Both on balls hit to short left and right fields and easy throws for any one at the AA level.
Just a point of note…..Grossman is at.400 after a 2-5 day and not .500.
so much for the “mental” loss of power for Grossman
It would be very nice for us if the Power position players continued to hit like the 27 Yankees.