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Prospect Watch: Multi-Hit Nights For Marte, Mercer, Curry, Polanco

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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 (2-1, 2.92) – DNP

2. Jameson Taillon, RHP (2-3, 2.55) – DNP

3. Starling Marte, CF (.246) – 2-for-4, 3B

4. Josh Bell, RF (.274) – Low-A DL

5. Luis Heredia, RHP (No Stats) – Extended Spring Training

6. Robbie Grossman, CF (.209) – 0-for-4, 2 K

7. Tony Sanchez, C (.250) – 0-for-2, 2 BB, RBI

8. Stetson Allie, RHP (0-0, 54.00) – Extended Spring Training

9. Kyle McPherson, RHP (No Stats) – AAA DL

10. Nick Kingham, RHP (1-2, 5.82) – DNP

COUPON CODE

The minor league system hit 9 homers last week. The code “HOME RUN” gives you $0.50 off per home run, which is a savings of $4.50. Use the code on the products page of the site to get your discount. Expires Sunday 5/27 at 11:59:59 PM EST.

DAILY SUMMARY

Top Pitcher: Nathan Baker, LHP (3-4, 4.70) – 4.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 0 HR

Top Hitter: Junior Sosa, RF (.306) – 3-for-3, 2B, 3B, BB

Home Runs: Alex Presley (1), Kirk Singer (1)

AAA: INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS

Box Score

Result: Indianapolis 8, Buffalo 6

Starting Pitcher: Daniel Cabrera, RHP (3.14) – 6.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 1 HR

Top Hitter: Starling Marte, CF (.246) – 2-for-4, 3B

Other Notable Performers

Alex Presley, LF (.167) – 1-for-3, HR, 3 RBI, BB

Jordy Mercer, SS (.289) – 2-for-4, BB, 2 RBI

Game Notes: Alex Presley hit his first homer since being sent down to Triple-A. Starling Marte now has a .162 ISO, which is close to his .168 from last year. His walk rate is also up from last year, although his strikeout rate has increased. The one downside is that he’s not hitting for average this year. Heading in to tonight’s game, Jordy Mercer had a .338/.394/.400 line in 65 at-bats in May. Evan Meek gave up two runs (one earned) in an inning of work.

AA: ALTOONA CURVE

Box Score

Result: Altoona 4, Erie 2

Starting Pitcher: Jeff Karstens, RHP (0.00) – 3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 0 HR

Top Hitter: Matt Curry, 1B (.281) – 2-for-3, 2 2B

Other Notable Performers

Jarek Cunningham, 2B (.240) – 1-for-3, 2B, BB

Brock Holt, SS (.292) – 2-for-4

Nathan Baker, LHP (3-4, 4.70) – 4.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 0 HR

Duke Welker, RHP (2.42) – 2.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 4 K, 0 HR

Game Notes: Kristy Robinson’s story on Jeff Karstens’ rehab start. For the third straight night, Jarek Cunningham went 1-for-3 with a double. Nathan Baker took the mound after Karstens was done and had a good outing. The key stat was one walk, after walking five in his previous outing. Duke Welker has a 2.42 ERA in 22.1 innings this year, with an 18:7 K/BB ratio.

A+: BRADENTON MARAUDERS

Box Score

Result: Lakeland 9, Bradenton 8

Starting Pitcher: Hunter Strickland, RHP (3.47) – 5.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 0 HR

Top Hitter: Justin Howard, DH (.286) – 3-for-5, 2B

Other Notable Performers

Wes Freeman, LF (.168) – 2-for-4, 2B, BB

Game Notes: Hunter Strickland now has a 3.47 ERA in 23.1 innings, with a 13:4 K/BB ratio. Josh Poytress gave up his first runs in high-A, giving up three in 1.1 innings. That snapped his 19 shutout innings streak. Justin Howard is having a good May in a small sample size of 29 at-bats. He’s hitting for a .345/.457/.483 line after today.

A: WEST VIRGINIA POWER

Box Score

Result: West Virginia 4, Lexington 3

Starting Pitcher: Ryan Hafner, RHP (7.61) – 4.0 IP, 7 H, 3 R, 2 ER, 4 BB, 2 K, 0 HR

Top Hitter: Junior Sosa, RF (.306) – 3-for-3, 2B, 3B, BB

Other Notable Performers

Orlando Castro, LHP (2-5, 6.11) – 4.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 0 HR

Gregory Polanco, CF (.297) – 2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI

Kirk Singer, 3B (.245) – 1-for-4, HR, RBI

Game Notes: Ryan Hafner now has a 7.61 ERA in 23.1 innings, with a 12:18 K/BB ratio. Kirk Singer hit his first homer of the year. Gregory Polanco is hitting for a .297/.339/.490 line in 155 at-bats this year. The speedy Junior Sosa hit his third triple in 98 at-bats this season.

ORGANIZATIONAL RECORDS

AAA: Indianapolis Indians – 24-20

AA: Altoona Curve – 20-22

A+: Bradenton Marauders – 19-25

A: West Virginia Power – 14-30

Tim Williams
Tim Williams
Tim is the owner, producer, editor, and lead writer of PiratesProspects.com. He has been running Pirates Prospects since 2009, becoming the first new media reporter and outlet covering the Pirates at the MLB level in 2011 and 2012. His work can also be found in Baseball America, where he has been a contributor since 2014 and the Pirates' correspondent since 2019.

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