TOP OF THE SYSTEM
A look at how the current top 20 prospects did today. Note that this list doesn’t include players currently in the majors. If a player is in the majors, he will be removed, everyone below him will be shifted up a spot, and a new player will be added to the bottom of the list. Rankings are from the mid-season rankings, and links on each name go to their Pirates Prospects player page.
1. Jameson Taillon, RHP, Altoona (3-5, 2.89) – DNP
2. Gregory Polanco, CF, Altoona (.348) – 1-for-5
3. Tyler Glasnow, RHP, West Virginia (3-1, 2.83) – DNP
4. Alen Hanson, SS, Bradenton (.291) – DNP
5. Austin Meadows, CF, 2013 1st Round Pick, Unsigned
6. Josh Bell, RF, West Virginia (.289) – DNP
7. Nick Kingham, RHP, Altoona (1-0, 0.00) – DNP
8. Luis Heredia, RHP, West Virginia Power (0-0, 0.00) – DNP
9. Reese McGuire, C, GCL Pirates (.000) – DNP
10. Dilson Herrera, 2B, West Virginia (.283) – 1-for-3, BB
11. Tony Sanchez, C, Indianapolis (.306) – 1-for-4
12. Barrett Barnes, CF, West Virginia (.234) – 2-for-5, 2B
13. Kyle McPherson, RHP, Indianapolis (0-1, 19.29) – Triple-A DL
14. Stetson Allie, 1B, Bradenton (.000) – DNP
15. Wyatt Mathisen, C, West Virginia (.185) – Low-A DL
16. Clay Holmes, RHP, West Virginia (2-5, 5.26) – 3.1 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 1 K, 0 HR
17. Stolmy Pimentel, RHP, Indianapolis (0-0, 0.00) – DNP
18. Vic Black, RHP, Indianapolis (0-2, 2.63) – Triple-A DL
19. Harold Ramirez, CF, Jamestown (.308) – DNP
20. Blake Taylor, LHP, GCL Pirates (0-0, 0.00) – DNP
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DAILY SUMMARY
Top Hitter: Jarek Cunningham, 2B (.237) – 2-for-3, 2B, HR
Home Runs: Jarek Cunningham (14), Danny Collins (2), Jin-De Jhang (2)
AAA: INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS
Result: Indianapolis 2, Norfolk 1
Starting Pitcher: Kris Johnson, LHP (6-3, 2.82) – 6.0 IP, 4 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Matt Hague, 1B (.293) – 1-for-1, 2B, 3 BB
Other Notable Performers:
Josh Harrison, 2B (.305) – 1-for-5, SB
Game Notes: Kris Johnson pitched six shutout innings. On the season he has a 2.82 ERA in 73.1 innings, with a 54:27 K/BB ratio. As a starter he has a 2.44 ERA in 62.2 innings, with a 44:23 K/BB ratio. If the Pirates need a backup lefty reliever, Johnson would be a good choice. He’s not on the 40-man roster, but the Pirates could find a spot for him if needed. Matt Hague hit his 21st double of the year. Hague’s career high is 37, which came in 2011 with Indianapolis.
AA: ALTOONA CURVE
Result: Altoona 7, New Hampshire 4
Starting Pitcher: Casey Sadler, RHP (3.06) – 6.1 IP, 9 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 3 BB, 3 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Jarek Cunningham, 2B (.237) – 2-for-3, 2B, HR
Other Notable Performers:
Mel Rojas, LF (.262) – 3-for-5, 2B, 2 RBI, SB
Gift Ngoepe, SS (.177) – 2-for-3, 2B, 2 RBI
Game Notes: Jarek Cunningham hit his 14th homer of the year for Altoona. He is one shy of his career high of 15 in a season, set in half a season in 2011. That came in 310 at-bats, and he currently has 228 at-bats. Mel Rojas went 3-for-5 with a double. I talked to a scout tonight who had seen Rojas and said that lately he’s looked the best he has ever looked. Rojas has been on a hot streak since the second week of May, hitting for a .292/.358/.446 line in 130 at-bats. The scout noted that Rojas looks like he’d be a good fourth outfielder, and that every other part of the game has always been there except for his hitting.
A+: BRADENTON MARAUDERS
Bradenton was postponed due to poor field conditions.
A: WEST VIRGINIA POWER
Result: Lakewood 9, West Virginia 4
Starting Pitcher: Clay Holmes, RHP (5.26) – 3.1 IP, 5 H, 4 R, 4 ER, 3 BB, 1 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Barrett Barnes, CF (.234) – 2-for-5, 2B
Other Notable Performers:
Walker Gourley, 1B (.326) – 3-for-5
Max Moroff, SS (.225) – 1-for-2, 2B, 2 BB
Game Notes: Clay Holmes had a rough first half, and didn’t get off to a good start in the second half tonight. On the season he has a 5.26 ERA in 63.1 innings, with a 41:43 K/BB ratio. His season is going very much like Ryan Hafner’s season last year. Hafner is having much better results this time around as a multi-inning reliever. Holmes has better stuff than Hafner, so he probably won’t make the move to the bullpen that quickly.
A-: JAMESTOWN JAMMERS
Result: Jamestown 12, Williamsport 6
Starting Pitcher: Cody Dickson, LHP (0.00) – 3.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 6 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Danny Collins, DH (.333) – 2-for-5, HR, 2 RBI
Other Notable Performers:
Jin-De Jhang, C (.364) – 1-for-3, HR, 2 RBI, BB
Elvis Escobar, LF (.353) – 1-for-5, 3B, 2 RBI, SB
Edwin Espinal, 1B (.333) – 2-for-4, 2B
Game Notes: Check out the 2013 Jamestown Jammers preview for information on all of the players on the roster. 2013 4th round pick Cody Dickson made his pro debut tonight, striking out six in three hitless innings. Dickson is a lefty who can touch 95 MPH with his fastball and has a good curve, with the potential for a good changeup. He’s dealt with control problems in the past, but didn’t see that tonight with just one walk. Danny Collins, who was taken in the 13th round, hit his second homer of the year. Jin-De Jhang also hit his second homer, and for Jhang they came in back-to-back games. Elvis Escobar has recorded a hit in all four games, going 6-for-17 with a double, a triple, and three stolen bases.
