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
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DAILY SUMMARY
Top Hitter: Junior Sosa, RF (.306) – 3-for-3, 2B, 3B, BB
Home Runs: Alex Presley (1), Kirk Singer (1)
AAA: INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS
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
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
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
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 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.
