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 (Tony Sanchez #11, Stolmy Pimentel #13). 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. If a player is out for the season (Clay Holmes #12), he will be removed and everyone below him will move up a spot. Removing these guys doesn’t mean they have lost prospect status. It is just an attempt to get 20 active prospects on the list. Rankings are from the 2014 Prospect Guide, and links on each name go to their Pirates Prospects player pages.
1. Gregory Polanco, CF, Indianapolis – 3-for-7, 2B, RBI
2. Jameson Taillon, RHP, Indianapolis – Disabled List (4/2 Update)
3. Tyler Glasnow, RHP, Bradenton – Disabled List (3/22 Update)
4. Austin Meadows, CF, West Virginia – Disabled List (4/2 Update)
5. Alen Hanson, SS, Altoona – 0-for-7, BB, SB
6. Nick Kingham, RHP, Altoona – DNP
7. Reese McGuire, C, West Virginia – 1-for-4, RBI
8. Josh Bell, RF, Bradenton – 1-for-4, HR, RBI
9. Luis Heredia, RHP, West Virginia Power – DNP
10. Harold Ramirez, OF, West Virginia – 1-for-4, 2B, Run
11. Andrew Lambo, 1B, Indianapolis – 0-for-4, 3 K
12. Joely Rodriguez, LHP, Altoona – DNP
13. Blake Taylor, LHP, Extended Spring Training – DNP
14. Cody Dickson, LHP, West Virginia – 5.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K, 0 HR
15. Barrett Barnes, CF, West Virginia – 0-for-3, BB
16. JaCoby Jones, SS, West Virginia – 1-for-4
17. Michael De La Cruz, OF, Extended Spring Training – DNP
18. Wyatt Mathisen, 3B, West Virginia – 2-for-3, HBP
19. Jin-De Jhang, C, Bradenton – DNP
20. Brandon Cumpton, RHP, Indianapolis – 6.0 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 0 HR
ORDER YOUR 2014 PROSPECT GUIDE
The 2014 Prospect Guide is now available, and is the perfect resource to follow the minor league system during the 2014 season. You can order your copy on the products page of the site.
DAILY SUMMARY
Top Hitter: Gregory Polanco, RF – 3-for-7, 2B, RBI, Run
Home Runs: Chris McGuiness (1), Jose Osuna (1), Josh Bell (1)
AAA: INDIANAPOLIS INDIANS
Result: Indianapolis 4, Columbus 0
Starting Pitcher: Brandon Cumpton, RHP – 6.0 IP, 6 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 1 BB, 1 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Chris McGuiness, 1B – 1-for-3, HR, 2 RBI
Other Notable Performers:
Gregory Polanco, RF – 1-for-3, 2B, Run
Game Notes: In game one on Saturday, Indianapolis shutout Columbus behind the pitching of Brandon Cumpton. He threw six shutout innings and had 11 ground ball outs. Cumpton gave up six hits, all were singles and Indianapolis turned two double plays behind him. Chris McGuiness provided all the offense they would need with his first homer of the season. Matt Hague and Chris Dickerson drove in the other runs. Duke Welker pitched a scoreless seventh to close the game out. Prior to the game, Robert Andino was placed on the disabled list and infielder Blake Davis took his place on the roster.
Result: Indianapolis 5, Columbus 4
Starting Pitcher: Jake Brigham, RHP – 6.0 IP, 4 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 0 BB, 9 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Blake Davis, SS – 2-for-2, BB, 2B, 3 RBI
Other Notable Performers:
Gregory Polanco, RF – 2-for-4, RBI
Chris McGuiness, DH – 1-for-3, 2 Runs, BB
Andrew Lambo, 1B – 0-for-4
Game Notes: In game two of the doubleheader, Jake Brigham pitched well for Indianapolis, allowing one run over six innings. He struck out nine batters and didn’t walk anyone. Brigham signed as a minor league free agent in the off-season. Jay Jackson came in to close the game, but could only get two outs before being pulled. Josh Kinney came in for the final out. Gregory Polanco collected two hits. Andrew Lambo played his first game of the year and went 0-for-4 with three strikeouts. Catcher Nevin Ashley had two hits and scored two runs.
AA: ALTOONA CURVE
Result: Erie 2, Altoona 0
Starting Pitcher: Adrian Sampson, RHP – 6.0 IP, 5 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 0 BB, 6 K, 1 HR
Top Hitter: Elias Diaz, C – 3-for-3
Other Notable Performers:
Stetson Allie, 1B – 0-for-2, BB
Alen Hanson, SS – 0-for-3, BB, SB
Game Notes: Adrian Sampson made his AA debut and pitched well over six innings, but got no support from his team. The Curve had six singles, three from Elias Diaz, and went 0-for-7 with runners in scoring position. Stetson Allie drew a walk in his AA debut and Willy Garcia went 0-for-3 with two strikeouts. Matt Benedict pitched a scoreless seventh to finish out the pitching line for the Curve.
Result: Erie 5, Altoona 2
Starting Pitcher: A.J. Morris, RHP – 3.0 IP, 2 H, 1 R, 1 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 1 HR
Top Hitter: Drew Maggi, DH – 2-for-2, SB, BB
Other Notable Performers:
Alen Hanson, SS – 0-for-4
Game Notes: In game two, A.J. Morris got the spot start. He was a Rule V pick last year during the minor league portion of the draft. He went three innings, allowing one run before giving way to Jhonathan Ramos. Erie scored three runs off Ramos, then another off Joan Montero. Ryan Beckman pitched the seventh and retired the side in order on three ground balls. Drew Maggi had two hits, a walk and stole home. The top five hitters in the Altoona lineup went 0-for-16 with eight strikeouts.
A+: BRADENTON MARAUDERS
Result: Bradenton 4, Charlotte 2
Starting Pitcher: John Kuchno, RHP – 5.0 IP, 0 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 3 BB, 2 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Jose Osuna, 1B – 2-for-4, HR, RBI
Other Notable Performers:
Josh Bell, RF – 1-for-4, HR, RBI
Adam Frazier, SS – 0-for-4
Game Notes: John Kuchno had an outstanding season debut for the Marauders, throwing five no-hit innings. His control wasn’t the best, with just 32 of his 60 pitches going for strikes. He walked three batters and hit another, but he was able to keep Charlotte off the board. Pat Ludwig followed Kuchno and gave up two unearned runs over three innings. Josh Smith came in to finish the game and threw a scoreless ninth. Josh Bell and Jose Osuna each hit solo homers, their first of the season. Jordan Steranka had two hits and scored a run. He has eight hits in his first three games.
A: WEST VIRGINIA POWER
Result: West Virginia 2, Lexington 0
Starting Pitcher: Cody Dickson, LHP – 5.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 0 BB, 7 K, 0 HR
Top Hitter: Wyatt Mathisen, 3B – 2-for-3, HBP
Other Notable Performers:
Reese McGuire, C – 1-for-4, RBI
Harold Ramirez, RF – 1-for-4, 2B, Run
Edwin Espinal, 1B – 1-for-4, RBI
JaCoby Jones, SS – 1-for-4
Game Notes: Cody Dickson, the fourth round pick of the Pirates in 2013, threw five shutout innings in his West Virginia debut and he did it without allowing any walks. Dickson had some control issues in college and during his debut in the pros with Jamestown last season. Justin Topa followed Dickson and picked up the extremely rare four inning save. He allowed one single and didn’t walk anyone. Reese McGuire drove in his first run for West Virginia and Wyatt Mathisen had two hits, giving him five in the first three games. JaCoby Jones committed his third error at shortstop.
