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Prospect Watch: Starters Combine For One Run in 29 Innings

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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 (1-1, 3.52) – DNP

2. Jameson Taillon, RHP (1-2, 1.76) – DNP

3. Starling Marte, CF (.270) – 2-for-4, 2B

4. Josh Bell, RF (.274) – Low-A DL

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

6. Robbie Grossman, CF (.215) – 2-for-7, HR

7. Tony Sanchez, C (.260) – 0-for-2, BB

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

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

10. Nick Kingham, RHP (1-1, 8.24) – 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 Pitcher: Jeff Locke, LHP (3-1, 2.31) – 7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, 0 HR

Top Hitter: Gorkys Hernandez, LF (.237) – 3-for-4, RBI

Home Runs: Robbie Grossman (2), Gift Ngoepe (3), Gregory Polanco (6)

AAA: INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS

Box Score

Result: Indianapolis 4, Louisville 0

Starting Pitcher: Jeff Locke, LHP (3-1, 2.31) – 7.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 5 K, 0 HR

Top Hitter: Gorkys Hernandez, LF (.237) – 3-for-4, RBI

Other Notable Performers

Starling Marte, CF (.270) – 2-for-4, 2B

Matt Hague, 3B-1B (.237) – 2-for-3, BB

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

Game Notes: Jeff Locke pitched seven shutout innings for the second straight start. He’s allowed two runs in 26 innings over his last four starts. On the season he has a 2.31 ERA in 35 innings, with a 28:7 K/BB ratio. Evan Meek made his first appearance for Indianapolis since being sent down. On the season, Gorkys Hernandez is doing significantly better against left handers, with a .300 average and an .890 OPS, versus a .179 average and a .438 OPS against right handers. Tonight his three hits came against right handed pitchers.

AA: ALTOONA CURVE

Game One Box Score

Result: Richmond 1, Altoona 0

Starting Pitcher: Nathan Baker, LHP (5.34) – 7.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 0 HR

Top Hitter: Brock Holt, SS (.301) – 1-for-3, 2B

Other Notable Performers

Robbie Grossman, CF (.215) – 1-for-4, SB

Game Notes: Nathan Baker had struggled in his last three starts, but really bounced back tonight with his best start of the year. Baker had combined to allow 17 earned runs in 12.1 innings in his last three starts, with a 6:9 K/BB ratio. Tonight he struck out six, which matched his total from the last three starts, and marked a season high. Altoona’s offense only managed four hits, with the double from Holt being the only extra base hit.

Game Two Box Score

Result: Altoona 3, Richmond 1

Starting Pitcher: Shairon Martis, RHP (1-0, 0.00) – 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 0 HR

Top Hitter: Robbie Grossman, CF (.215) – 1-for-3, HR

Other Notable Performers

Duke Welker, RHP (2.93) – 2.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 0 HR

Matt Curry, 1B (.316) – 1-for-3, 2B

Game Notes: Robbie Grossman hit his second homer of the year, and combined to go 2-for-7 on the day. Duke Welker now has a 2.93 ERA in 15.1 innings, with an 11:5 K/BB ratio. Matt Curry had hits in both games tonight, and now has an eight game hitting streak.

A+: BRADENTON MARAUDERS

Box Score

Result: Bradenton 7, Tampa 2

Starting Pitcher: Phil Irwin, RHP (1-0, 1.80) – 5.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 6 K, 0 HR

Top Hitter: Mel Rojas, DH (.260) – 3-for-4, RBI

Other Notable Performers

Gift Ngoepe, SS (.208) – 1-for-5, HR

Drew Maggi, 2B (.284) – 2-for-4, 2B, 2 RBI

Carlos Paulino, C (.218) – 2-for-4, 3B, 2 RBI

Porfirio Lopez, LHP (0.47) – 3.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 0 K, 0 HR

Quinton Miller, RHP (5.14) – 1.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 0 K, 0 HR

Game Notes: Gerrit Cole was originally scheduled to make the start tonight, but was moved back to tomorrow with Phil Irwin coming off the disabled list. Irwin pitched well last year in Bradenton, and then pitched well in Altoona, so he’s unlikely to remain in the Bradenton rotation for long. Porfirio Lopez now has one earned run allowed in 19.1 innings, with a 12:6 K/BB ratio. Quinton Miller has allowed two runs on six hits in 8.1 innings since moving to a bullpen role. He has a 6:2 K/BB ratio in that time. Gift Ngoepe hit his third homer of the year.

A: WEST VIRGINIA POWER

Box Score

Result: Greensboro 3, West Virginia 2

Starting Pitcher: Ryan Hafner, RHP (7.71) – 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K, 0 HR

Top Hitter: Gregory Polanco, DH (.280) – 1-for-4, HR

Other Notable Performers

Alen Hanson, SS (.381) – 1-for-4, 2B

Game Notes: Gregory Polanco hit his sixth homer of the year, which puts him number one in the Pirates’ system, breaking the tie with teammate Willy Garcia. Ryan Hafner had his best start of the year, after combining to allow ten earned runs in 6.2 innings his previous two starts. He also showed better control tonight, with a 3:1 K/BB ratio, after a 3:6 K/BB ratio in his last two starts. Alen Hanson hit his 13th double of the year, which leads the Pirates’ system.

ORGANIZATIONAL RECORDS

AAA: Indianapolis Indians – 15-13

AA: Altoona Curve – 12-16

A+: Bradenton Marauders – 13-16

A: West Virginia Power – 11-18

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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