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, Indianapolis (0-1, 5.40) – DNP
2. Gregory Polanco, CF, Altoona (.256) – 1-for-4, 2B
3. Tyler Glasnow, RHP, West Virginia (8-3, 2.50) – DNP
4. Alen Hanson, SS, Altoona (.200) – 1-for-3
5. Austin Meadows, CF, GCL Pirates (.311) – 1-for-4, 3B
6. Josh Bell, RF, West Virginia (.285) – 2-for-5
7. Nick Kingham, RHP, Altoona (3-3, 3.02) – DNP
8. Luis Heredia, RHP, West Virginia Power (4-3, 3.57) – 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 0 HR
9. Reese McGuire, C, GCL Pirates (.339) – 0-for-3, BB
10. Dilson Herrera, 2B, West Virginia (.267) – 2-for-5
11. Barrett Barnes, CF, West Virginia (.261) – Low-A DL
12. Kyle McPherson, RHP, Indianapolis (0-1, 19.29) – Triple-A DL
13. Stetson Allie, 1B, Bradenton (.239) – 0-for-4, 3 K
14. Wyatt Mathisen, C, West Virginia (.185) – DNP (GCL Rehab)
15. Clay Holmes, RHP, West Virginia (4-5, 4.27) – DNP
16. Stolmy Pimentel, RHP, Indianapolis (2-4, 3.20) – DNP
17. Vic Black, RHP, Indianapolis (2-2, 2.37) – 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 0 HR
18. Harold Ramirez, CF, Jamestown (.313) – DNP
19. Blake Taylor, LHP, GCL Pirates (0-1, 1.32) – DNP
20. Jin-De Jhang, C, Jamestown (.264) – DNP
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DAILY SUMMARY
Top Hitter: Elias Diaz, C (.252) – 3-for-4
Home Runs: Russ Canzler (12)
AAA: INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS
Result: Indianapolis 2, Toledo 1
Starting Pitcher: Graham Godfrey, RHP (4.21) – 6.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 2 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Russ Canzler, DH (.262) – 1-for-3, HR, BB
Other Notable Performers:
Darren Ford, CF (.228) – 2-for-5, 2B
Andrew Lambo, RF (.283) – 1-for-3, BB
Vic Black, RHP (2-2, 2.37) – 2.0 IP, 1 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 2 K, 0 HR
Game Notes: Graham Godfrey has 12 shutout innings in his last two starts. Vic Black blew the save in the ninth inning, but stayed in and pitched a shutout tenth inning for the win. Indianapolis got the win on a Robert Andino walk off single. Andrew Lambo went 1-for-3 with a walk, picking up a hit in his sixth straight game, and walking in his second straight game. Russ Canzler hit his 12th homer of the year in the International League, and his first with Indianapolis.
AA: ALTOONA CURVE
Result: Binghamton 1, Altoona 0
Starting Pitcher: David Bromberg, RHP (5-9, 3.56) – 7.0 IP, 3 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 2 BB, 7 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Adalberto Santos, 3B (.293) – 2-for-3, BB
Other Notable Performers:
Mel Rojas, RF (.267) – 1-for-3, 2B
Gregory Polanco, CF (.256) – 1-for-4, 2B
Alen Hanson, SS (.200) – 1-for-3
Game Notes: David Bromberg returned to Altoona after making his last two starts up in Indianapolis. He has a 3.56 ERA in 111.1 innings this year, with a 107:44 K/BB ratio. Gregory Polanco hit his eighth double of the year with Altoona, and his 25th total this season. He has struggled lately in Double-A, although that’s not a huge concern. The jump to Double-A is difficult for hitters, and it can take some time to adjust. We saw Alex Dickerson struggle the first two months of the year, only to pick up the pace in June and July. It’s possible that Polanco could start the 2014 season back in Altoona, but there have been plenty of players in the Pirates system who have started a season in Altoona and finished in the majors over the last few years. Polanco could always move up to Indianapolis to start the 2014 season, but he would need to show he can hit Double-A in the next month.
A+: BRADENTON MARAUDERS
Result: Bradenton 5, St. Lucie 3
Starting Pitcher: Adrian Sampson, RHP (5.52) – 5.0 IP, 5 H, 3 R, 3 ER, 2 BB, 5 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Elias Diaz, C (.252) – 3-for-4
Other Notable Performers:
Gift Ngoepe, SS (.240) – 2-for-4, 3B, BB, 2 RBI
Benji Gonzalez, 3B (.234) – 2-for-4, BB, SB
Willy Garcia, RF (.267) – 1-for-3, SB
Orlando Castro, LHP (2-2, 5.09) – 2.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 1 K, 0 HR
Game Notes: Willy Garcia extended his hitting streak to 12 games. He also stole his 11th base of the year. Adrian Sampson has given up five earned runs in 19 innings over his last three starts, with a 16:2 K/BB ratio. Orlando Castro had a 6.00 ERA in four starts in Bradenton, then moved to the bullpen. He has given up one earned run in five innings since making the switch. Castro was mostly a reliever last year for West Virginia, then moved to the rotation this year where he had success. He could do the same in Bradenton, although it’s also possible that he could be another lefty with good control who has success in low-A but struggles at a higher level.
A: WEST VIRGINIA POWER
Result: West Virginia 7, Lakewood 0
Starting Pitcher: Luis Heredia, RHP (4-3, 3.57) – 5.0 IP, 2 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 2 BB, 4 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Walker Gourley, RF (.330) – 2-for-4, 2B, BB, 2 RBI
Other Notable Performers:
Dilson Herrera, 2B (.267) – 2-for-5
Josh Bell, DH (.285) – 2-for-5
Eric Wood, 3B (.261) – 1-for-2, 2B, 2 BB
Game Notes: Check out John Dreker’s live game report.
A-: JAMESTOWN JAMMERS
Result: Jamestown 4, Vermont 0
Starting Pitcher: Chad Kuhl, RHP (2-3, 2.37) – 5.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Michael Fransoso, 2B (.282) – 2-for-4, 2 RBI, SB
Other Notable Performers:
Jeff Roy, CF (.293) – 2-for-4, SB
Justin Topa, RHP (0.99) – 3.0 IP, 1 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 3 K, 0 HR
Game Notes: Chad Kuhl, the ninth round pick in this year’s draft, has a 2.37 ERA in 30.1 innings so far this year. Kuhl gave up six earned runs in 3.1 innings in his last start. He has given up two earned runs in 27 innings in his other seven starts. 17th round pick Justin Topa has an 0.99 ERA in 27.1 innings, with a 23:6 K/BB ratio. Jeff Roy stole his 21st base of the season. Michael Fransoso stole his 11th base of the year.
RK: GCL PIRATES
Result: Pirates 5, Braves 4
Starting Pitcher: Billy Roth, RHP (2.25) – 3.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 1 BB, 2 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Nick Buckner, RF (.233) – 2-for-4, 2B
Other Notable Performers:
Danny Arribas, 1B (.316) – 2-for-3
Austin Meadows, DH (.311) – 1-for-4, 3B
Game Notes: Billy Roth made his third start, and has combined to give up two earned runs on five hits in eight innings, with a 6:3 K/BB ratio. Austin Meadows extended his hitting streak to seven games. He also hit his fourth triple of the year. Meadows has been showing off his power with 15 extra base hits in 26 games, for a .223 ISO on the season.
