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Prospect Watch: Six Strong Innings For Cole, Big Day For Grossman

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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, 3.18) – 6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 1 HR

2. Jameson Taillon, RHP (2-2, 1.47) – DNP

3. Starling Marte, CF (.268) – DNP

4. Josh Bell, RF (.274) – Low-A DL

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

6. Robbie Grossman, CF (.244) – 2-for-3, 2B, HR, 2 BB

7. Tony Sanchez, C (.258) – DNP

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, 7.43) – DNP

COUPON CODE

The minor league system hit 12 homers last week. The code “HOME RUN” gives you $0.50 off per home run, which is a savings of $6.00. Use the code on the products page of the site to get your discount. Expires Sunday 5/13 at 11:59:59 PM EST.

DAILY SUMMARY

Top Pitcher: Gerrit Cole, RHP (2-1, 3.18) – 6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 1 HR

Top Hitter: Robbie Grossman, CF (.244) – 2-for-3, 2B, HR, 2 BB

Home Runs: Robbie Grossman (3)

AAA: INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS

Box Score

Result: Indianapolis 5, Norfolk 4

Starting Pitcher: Jo-Jo Reyes, LHP (2.25) – 5.0 IP, 7 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 1 HR

Top Hitter: Matt Hague, 1B (.294) – 4-for-6, 2B, 2 RBI

Other Notable Performers

Bryan Morris, RHP (2.70) – 3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 0 HR

Evan Meek, RHP (0.00) – 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 4 K, 0 HR

Jordy Mercer, 3B (.292) – 2-for-4, 2 BB

Brian Friday, 2B (.172) – 4-for-6, 2B, 2 RBI

Game Notes: Matt Hague had four hits, including a walk off single in the bottom of the 14th inning. Brian Friday also had four hits, including a two RBI single to tie the game in the bottom of the 12th, and a leadoff double to start off the 14th inning. Jordy Mercer extended his hitting streak to 13 games with his two hit night. Bryan Morris now has a 2.70 ERA in 19 innings, with a 14:2 K/BB ratio. Evan Meek has thrown six shutout innings since being sent to Indianapolis, allowing two hits, two walks, and striking out five. Starling Marte was used as a pinch runner for the second straight game. Jeff Larish made his debut, playing left field and going 0-for-3 before being replaced with Jake Fox.

AA: ALTOONA CURVE

Box Score

Result: Erie 11, Altoona 6

Starting Pitcher: Brandon Cumpton, RHP (4-3, 4.14) – 4.2 IP, 7 H, 6 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 3 HR

Top Hitter: Robbie Grossman, CF (.244) – 2-for-3, 2B, HR, 2 BB

Other Notable Performers

Ramon Cabrera, C (.287) – 3-for-5, 2B, 3 RBI

Matt Curry, 1B (.283) – 1-for-3, 2B, 2 BB

Game Notes: This was Cumpton’s second bad start of the year. He gave up five runs on seven hits in 4.1 innings in his first start of the season. Then he went on a roll with nine earned runs in 32.1 innings over his next five starts, with a 19:6 K/BB ratio. Robbie Grossman has been on a hot streak in the month of May. Heading in to tonight’s game, Grossman had a .310/.408/.500 line in 42 at-bats in the month of May, along with three doubles, a triple, a homer, and a 7:7 K/BB ratio. Tonight he added another double, another homer, and two walks. He has seven walks in his last six games.

A+: BRADENTON MARAUDERS

Box Score

Result: Bradenton 9, St. Lucie 1

Starting Pitcher: Gerrit Cole, RHP (2-1, 3.18) – 6.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 5 K, 1 HR

Top Hitter: Dan Grovatt, LF (.252) – 2-for-4, 2 2B

Other Notable Performers

Carlos Paulino, C (.238) – 2-for-3, 2B, BB

Casey Sadler, RHP (2.88) – 3.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 0 HR

Game Notes: Gerrit Cole now has a 3.18 ERA in 34 innings, with a 39:11 K/BB ratio. He pitched six innings for the second time in his pro career. In his last three starts he has allowed three eared runs on seven hits in 17 innings, with a 16:5 K/BB ratio. That’s significant, as he started incorporating his full arsenal for the first time in those starts. Stefan Welch extended his hitting streak to 15 games, which ties a Bradenton Marauders’ franchise record. Casey Sadler has a 2.88 ERA in 25 innings, with a 23:3 K/BB ratio this season. He had two bad outings at the end of April where he gave up six of his eight earned runs on the year over a span of five innings. Since then he has allowed two earned runs in 12 innings, with an 8:0 K/BB ratio.

A: WEST VIRGINIA POWER

Box Score

Result: Charleston 16, West Virginia 2

Starting Pitcher: Zac Fuesser, LHP (0-1, 5.34) – 4.1 IP, 10 H, 9 R, 9 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 1 HR

Top Hitter: Dan Gamache, 2B (.282) – 2-for-4, 2B

Other Notable Performers

Gregory Polanco, DH (.304) – 1-for-4, 2B

Alen Hanson, SS (.352) – 1-for-4

Game Notes: Fuesser had his worst start of the year. Heading in to the night he had given up nine earned runs in 26 innings. He matched that total in 4.1 innings tonight. He’s been hittable in the last few outings, giving up 25 hits in 13.1 innings during that time, after starting the year with ten hits in 17 innings. Alen Hanson recorded a hit for the first time in four games, breaking his longest streak of the season without a hit. Gregory Polanco has a seven game hitting streak, and has three doubles in his last four games.

ORGANIZATIONAL RECORDS

AAA: Indianapolis Indians – 21-14

AA: Altoona Curve – 13-21

A+: Bradenton Marauders – 18-18

A: West Virginia Power – 11-24

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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